WHEREAS:
Retirement security is one of the most important issues facing working people in our country with public employee pension benefits threatened as never before and employer-provided retiree healthcare benefits also under attack; and
WHEREAS:
The basic concept of defined benefit pension plans is under direct assault; and
WHEREAS:
These assaults on public employee retirement security are part of a highly-sophisticated and well-funded campaign being waged by big corporate interests; and
WHEREAS:
Public pensions represent a key element of employee compensation for millions of workers in the public service, as well as indicating our nation’s commitment to the fundamental principle that those who have worked hard and played by the rules should be able to retire and live out their remaining years with dignity and security; and
WHEREAS:
In far too many instances, public sector employers have failed to adequately fund their pension systems, creating large unfunded liabilities which loom especially large in this era of dire shortfalls in state and local government budgets; and
WHEREAS:
Many public pension systems also suffered significant investment losses in the current economic downturn; and
WHEREAS:
In some states, legislative action has already been taken to reduce public employee pension benefits and/or retiree health benefits; and
WHEREAS:
The corporate assault on public employee pensions is being waged as a coordinated campaign all across the country with similar core messages — particularly the claim that public employees have “Cadillac” pension plans which are far richer than the retirement benefits afforded private sector workers; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME affiliates increasingly find themselves battling efforts to reduce pension benefits and/or retiree health care benefits; and
WHEREAS:
In many cases, AFSCME affiliates have had to fight against high-powered and well-funded media and public outreach campaigns; and
WHEREAS:
The ability of AFSCME affiliates to prevail in these battles and protect members’ pensions would be greatly enhanced by a nationally coordinated effort that shared all available research, developed strong, professionally-tested media and community outreach messaging, and ensured regular communication among affiliates about related developments in each state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME International shall establish a comprehensive Retirement Security Coordinated Campaign that will serve as a bulwark against the nationally coordinated corporate campaign to abolish public pension plans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Campaign shall collect and disseminate to all affiliates on a regular basis all research that supports the maintenance of public employee pension benefits and retiree health care in their current form, as well as conducting original research as needed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Campaign shall work with professional polling and communications firms to develop compelling media messaging, as well as paid and earned media strategies, for use by affiliates who confront all-out corporate assaults on their members’ pensions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will work in coalition with like-minded groups at the state and national level to disseminate our message and advance strategies to protect our pensions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the International Union shall place a major emphasis on these attacks and our efforts to counter them at the 2011 Legislative Conference; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the International Union and affiliates will work in partnership with other allies in state legislatures to defend against these attacks and to develop and enact reasonable solutions to funding problems where warranted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will elect, train and support pension trustees who can aid in our defense efforts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will mobilize retirees to make pension defense their top priority; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will work at the federal level to defeat proposals for mandatory Social Security coverage for public employees, federal takeover of public plans and other detrimental schemes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That, where advisable, we will lead litigation against efforts attacking our benefits; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That the AFSCME Leadership Academy will establish a training program to arm members with information needed to fight these battles.