Skip to main content
Resolutions & Amendments

35th International Convention - Las Vegas, NV (2002)

Violence in Social Service Workplaces

Resolution No. 64
35th International Convention
June 24 - 28, 2002
Las Vegas, NV

WHEREAS:

Social service employees are experiencing greater instances of violence in their workplaces; and

WHEREAS:

These incidents of violence are a direct result of poor program funding, insufficient staff/client ratios, inadequate staff training and the increase in the client population that has more severe mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice histories; and

WHEREAS:

Some state legislators are putting forth state legislation that would remedy these issues. There is no federal legislation that would provide a uniform approach toward funding, staff ratios, training, and safety standards for the delivery of community and/or governmental mental health, substance abuse, and criminal justice services; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME represents thousands of workers in these fields, both in the private and public sector and many of their affiliates would benefit from an effective strategy to make social service workplaces safer; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has the ability to provide expert advice in shaping such legislation and pulling together the needed resources to fight for safer workplaces.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME call a conference of all affected affiliates to develop appropriate model legislative and contract language; effective lobbying methods and coalition building models to promote national legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME's national office staff work with its affected affiliates to develop local strategies to secure work place safety, fairer wages, monies for training and upgrading for social service/criminal justice employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME initiate a call, within the AFL-CIO, for support of workplace safety as a major issue facing social service employees; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That this call within the AFL-CIO takes the form of joint legislative lobbying, local conferences, rallies and other joint support and assistance among appropriate AFL-CIO affiliates.

SUBMITTED BY:

Brenda Stokely, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 215, Council 1707
New York