Resolution No: 48
33rd International Convention
August 24-28, 1998
Honolulu, HI

MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICES

WHEREAS:

AFSCME is the leading union representing employees working in institutional and community-based facilities providing quality direct care services to the nation's most vulnerable citizens; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has been a leading advocate of high-quality institutional and community-based services for disabled people, and has led the fight against budget cuts and attempts to weaken quality standards; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has continued to oppose states that abdicate their responsibility to provide publicly accountable quality care by understaffing institutions, neglecting physical conditions and failing to upgrade services; and

WHEREAS:

Heath care is changing at a dizzying pace and managed care is rapidly becoming the only game in town; and

WHEREAS:

In order to control costs, more and more states are enrolling their Medicaid population in managed care programs; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME members who work in MR/DD or MH facilities have been or will be affected by the aforementioned trends.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will work with councils and locals to:

  1. Lobby state agencies to designate state and local safety net services and facilities as essential community providers;

  2. Make sure the state or local authority continues to fund facilities and services directly;

  3. Work with management to restructure facilities and services and to market those services to compete with the private sector;

  4. Educate union members and prepare them for the continuing change;

  5. Join coalitions with advocate groups for Medicaid recipients, mentally ill, mentally retarded and developmentally disabled; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will follow the work and organize the unorganized to preserve a decent living wage for all workers providing direct care service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to work with councils and locals to internally organize for greater union power; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will advocate for adequate funding levels to provide for continued quality direct care service in both the institutional and community settings.

SUBMITTED BY:

Ronald C. Alexander, President and Delegate
Vanessa Tolliver, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate
OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11
Ohio