WHEREAS:
The public's confidence in government's ability to provide efficient and effective government is at an all time low; and
WHEREAS:
Government is being challenged with respect to its ability to provide valued public services and there is a concern about whether it should provide many services traditionally performed by public employees; and
WHEREAS:
Management has designed the system that is faulted by taxpayers and, according to the grandfather of the quality movement Edward Deming, at least 95% of the problems in producing quality products or services are the result of the system, not the workers; and
WHEREAS:
Quick fixes such as privatization, "reinventing government," "reengineering government" or downsizing often do not fix the problems or involve satisfactory union input, and the jobs of public employees and the services they perform remain seriously at risk; and
WHEREAS:
The value of involving line workers in evaluating and designing their roles is an underlying theme relating to the union's struggle to gain a voice on the job; and
WHEREAS:
Traditional issues that the union takes to the bargaining table often cannot resolve the serious problems with bureaucratic decision making, work processes that are poorly designed, and multiple layers of management as they are often outside the scope of bargaining; and
WHEREAS:
Leaders and members want the union to develop creative strategies to proactively deal with challenges they face; and
WHEREAS:
The rapid changes in technology and need for effective e?government services have significant consequences for the worker and the taxpayer; and
WHEREAS:
Management cannot correct the system without worker involvement and since the quality of public services is inextricably linked to worker job security and the quality of work life, therefore quality is much too important to leave to management.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
AFSCME will organize a process of input and dialogue with its councils and locals for the purpose of sharing union strategies and best practices that have been proven effective in improving or reforming the quality of public services. Such strategies or best practices can include quality initiatives, supporting valued public services, and developing the leadership to accomplish these goals.
SUBMITTED BY:
Ronald C. Alexander, President and Delegate
Vanessa Tolliver, Secretary/Treasurer and Delegate
OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11
Ohio