Type: Title:
Committee(s) Assignment:
O'Shea (19) Harris (8) Brookins (21) Burnett (27) Mell (33) Austin (34) Santiago (31) Tunney (44) Resolution
Expression of support for city employees and other public service workers to unionize
February 28, 20T8
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, it is our belief that all families should have the means to thrive in safe and healthy communities; and
WHEREAS, the working people who make our city run ought to have good jobs that can support families; and
WHEREAS, over the last forty years, working people have become more productive than ever,1 yet real wages are declining and CEOs make more than ever before: 347 times more than the average person;2 and
WHEREAS, 50 years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, where he marched and rallied in support of city sanitation workers on strike to demand their dignity, their humanity, and their union be recognized; and
WHEREAS, those Memphis sanitation workers and Dr. King carried signs proclaiming "I AM A MAN" and struggled for basic freedoms: the freedom from discrimination, the freedom from degrading work conditions, the freedom to come together in strong unions to improve their place of work; and
WHEREAS, still today, people across the country and in our city struggle for those same basic freedoms and a high quality of life for their families; and
WHEREAS, being able to come together in unions gives people- particularly women and people of color - a powerful voice in speaking up for themselves, their families, and their communities, and ensures they are treated with dignity and respect at work; and
WHEREAS, when people stick together in unions, they gain the power in numbers to raise wages and improve benefits like health care for themselves, their families, and all of our communities; and
WHEREAS, people working collectively together in unions have won victories like the 40-hour work week, overtime pay, and health and safety standards, as well as
1 https://www.epi.org/productivity-pay-gap/
2 https://afIcio.org/press/releases/ceo-pay-increases-347-times-average-workers
advanced policies especially important to women like paid leave.earned sick time, and reducing the gender pay gap; and
WHEREAS, when people can negotiate together for strong contracts, higher wages, and safer, dignified working conditions, all of us benefit, our communities are stronger and our entire economy is made more fair; and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court is considering the case Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 which may decide whether those who work in the public service — such as nurses, teachers and firefighters - would be denied the freedom to come together in strong unions that make our communities safe, more equitable, and strong; and
WHEREAS, an unfavorable decision in this case would undermine the freedom for millions of working people, especially women and communities of color to join together in strong unions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago provides services to all of its residents because of the hard work of our neighbors who work in the public service, providing health care, educating our children, putting out fires, fixing our potholes, picking up our trash, and more; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that City of Chicago supports the freedom of all city employees to exercise their rights to a voice and dignity on the job through joining together in strong unions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the upcoming Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court case will have a monumental impact on our city residents and this Council urges the Court to consider the legacy of Dr. King, the Memphis sanitation workers, and the public benefit created by workers organizing in rendering its decision.
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Alderman, 35th Ward
David Moore Alderman, 17th Ward
Roderick Sawyer Alderman, 6th Ward
Toni Foulkes Alderman, 16th Ward
Ricardo Mufioz Alderman, 22nd Ward
Christopher Taliaferro Alderman, 29th Ward
John Arena Alderman, 45th Ward
Scott Waguespac Alderman, 32nd Ward