File #: Res 1182-2003    Version: * Name: AFL-CIO's Campaign to Restore Workers' Freedom to Form Unions and Bargain Collectively.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Civil Service and Labor
On agenda: 12/3/2003
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution commending the AFL-CIO's Campaign to Restore Workers' Freedom to Form Unions and Bargain Collectively in the United States and their Campaign Kickoff March & Rally in New York City on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2003.
Sponsors: Helen D. Foster, Charles Barron, Gale A. Brewer, Yvette D. Clarke, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Lewis A. Fidler, James F. Gennaro, Eric N. Gioia, Robert Jackson, G. Oliver Koppell, Margarita Lopez, Miguel Martinez, Christine C. Quinn, Michael C. Nelson, Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Jr., David I. Weprin, Alan J. Gerson
Council Member Sponsors: 18
Res. No. 1182 Title Resolution commending the AFL-CIO's Campaign to Restore Workers' Freedom to Form Unions and Bargain Collectively in the United States and their Campaign Kickoff March & Rally in New York City on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2003. Body By Council Members Foster, Barron, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, Fidler, Gennaro, Gioia, Jackson, Koppell, Lopez, Martinez, Quinn, Nelson, Rivera, Sanders, Weprin and Gerson Whereas, the AFL-CIO's Campaign to Restore Workers' Freedom to Form Unions and Bargain Collectively in the United States (the "Campaign") will hold their Kickoff March & Rally in New York City on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2003; and Whereas, The purpose of the Campaign is to call for legislation to improve upon the current inadequate system of labor laws; and Whereas, The freedom to form unions is a fundamental human right widely recognized by international law, U.S. law and the tenets of most major religions, and, as such, employees should have the freedom to make their own choice regarding unions without interference from management; and Whereas, The percentage of workers who are union members continues to fall, from 32% in 1956 to 13% in 2001, but nonetheless, the AFL-CIO has estimated that 42 million workers in America would join a union if they had the opportunity; and Whereas, According to the AFL-CIO, the major reason why workers do not unionize despite the desire to do so is that employers engage in intimidation tactics, including requiring mandatory anti-union meetings, training supervisors to intimidate, hiring anti-union consultants, holding 1-on-1 pressure sessions, threatening to shut down businesses and firing union supporters; and Whereas, Human Rights Watch has stated that there is a culture of impunity in many areas of U.S. labor law and practice, amounting to violations of international human rights standards; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York commends the AFL-CIO's Campaign to Restore Workers' Freedom to Form Unions and Bargain Collectively in the United States and their Campaign Kickoff March & Rally in New York City on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2003. LS#3605