WHEREAS:

            For decades state and local governments across America have handed over control of critical public services and assets to corporations that promise to handle them better, faster and cheaper; and

WHEREAS:

            Unfortunately for taxpayers, not only has outsourcing these services failed to keep this promise, but too often it undermines transparency, accountability, shared prosperity and competition – the very underpinnings of democracy itself; and

WHEREAS:

            Outsourcing often means taxpayers have little say over how tax dollars are spent and no say over actions taken by private companies that control our public services; and

WHEREAS:

            Outsourcing often means taxpayers are contractually stuck with a monopoly run by a single corporation – and contracts often last decades; and

WHEREAS:

            Outsourcing too often means a race to the bottom for the local economy, as worker wages and benefits fall while corporate profits rise; and

WHEREAS:

            In the Public Interest (ITPI) is a research and advocacy organization that has developed the Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda (TEA), a proactive legislative agenda that curbs reckless outsourcing; and

WHEREAS:

            The Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda promotes responsible contracting that would benefit AFSCME members in both the public and private sectors, including a proposal requiring private entities that operate public services to pay their workers a living wage and reasonable benefits; and

WHEREAS:

            AFSCME has developed a strong working relationship with In the Public Interest and has the unique capacity to promote the Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda throughout America.

            That AFSCME make it a political priority to promote the Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda in states, counties, cities and school boards across the country, in both defensive and offensive outsourcing fights; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME continue its productive working relationship with In the Public Interest and other allies to protect taxpayers from reckless outsourcing deals and to pursue the best interests of AFSCME members in both the public and private sectors.