CITY OF SPRINGFIELD
In the City Council October 18, 2010

Whereas, unions have historically helped bring economic and social democracy to American society, and

Whereas, the City of Springfield, wishing to promote respect for human rights, including workers' freedom to form unions and bargain collectively without employer interference; and having a history of support for freedom to form unions and the important public benefits inherent in collective bargaining, and

Whereas, Realizing that failure to protect freedom to form unions is exacting a heavy health, economic, social and political price from workers and communities throughout our city, Commonwealth and nation, including but not limited to increased risk to workplace health and safety hazards resulting in increased injuries and illnesses, suppressed wages, decreased job quality and worsened economic inequality; and

Whereas, Knowing that protecting the freedom to form unions is also vital to public health- because union members are far more likely than non-union workers to have adequate health insurance coverage; because where workers have greater freedom to form unions, more people- union and non-union alike- have effective health and safety programs to resolve hazards in the workplace, health insurance, the quality of care is higher, and health outcomes are better; because health care workplaces where workers have greater freedom to form unions deliver better quality care; and because protecting freedom to form unions is essential for generating political support for urgently needed public health policies that best meet the needs of the individuals served;

NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved that the Springfield City Council
1. Supports the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively;
2. Calls upon employers to: a. Recognize the rights of those who work for them either directly or indirectly, under contractual arrangements for services, to be treated with dignity, to be paid a living wage and to work in a healthy, safe and secure workplace; b. Allow their employees to choose freely whether to unionize or not, without intimidation or coercion; c. Abide by their employees’ decision when a majority indicates that it supports union representation; and d. Refrain from abusing National Labor Relations Board elections and appeals by using them as means for delaying or avoiding representation for their employees;
3. Calls upon the U.S. government to amend the National Labor Relations Act to:
a. Provide for increased penalties for the commission of unfair labor practices;
b. Ensure timely conduct of elections following the filing of representation petitions by
relegating issues to post-election proceedings whenever possible; and
c. Ensure that employers and labor organization representatives have equal access to
potential members of a bargaining unit during representation election campaigns.
4. Call upon the U.S. government to enforce existing OSHA regulations and increase
penalties for OSHA violations; and
5. Address specific labor issues on the state level by: b. Supporting enforcement of state labor laws to provide organizing and collective bargaining rights for health care workers in our Commonwealth; and c. Affirming support for the organizing and collective bargaining rights of state employees,

NOW THEREFORE, Be if Further Resolved that the City of Springfield will share this resolution with organizations known to be forming unions.

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RESOLVE UNION ORGANIZING.pdf	78.28 KB