For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 31, 1996
Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee Re: President Clinton's Intention to Sign "Welfare Reform"
Washington —The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is extremely disappointed with today's announcement by the president that he intends to sign the so-called welfare reform bill.
This piece of legislation hurts the most vulnerable among us and will, in the long run, depress wages for low-wage workers. Simply said, it is budget-cutting at its worst because it targets those who can least cope.
AFSCME vows to make sure that state welfare programs that result from this legislation will adhere to a basic standard of decency. Specifically, we will fight vigorously to prevent men and women from being taken advantage of in the name of "Work Fair." We believe in "Fair Work" that pays people a decent wage for the work they do, and we will fight to make sure that all employers in this country are held accountable for their actions toward the disadvantaged.
President Clinton has long stood with the working men and women of this country, and we believe him when he says he will support efforts next year to improve this legislation, which we believe is plagued with serious, dangerous problems. While the welfare proposal that the President intends to sign is improved from earlier versions offered by the Republican-controlled Congress (for instance, increased funding for child care), our disappointment is real and it is profound, but it is matched by our resolve to make sure that all of our citizens, rich and poor alike, are treated with dignity.
