Resolution 15389CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 15389
SUPPORTING ALAMEDA RANK -AND -FILE EMPLOYEES POST A
JAN U S V. AFSCME (AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE,
COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS) SUPREME COURT
DECISION
Resolution by the Alameda City Council reinforcing the City's continued
cooperation with all public -sector unions in the City of Alameda and supporting the
freedom of City of Alameda employees to collectively bargain post a United States
Supreme Court decision on Janus v. AFSCME
WHEREAS, all families should have the means to thrive in safe and healthy
communities; and
WHEREAS, the working people who make our city run deserve good jobs
that can support families; and
WHEREAS, over the last forty years, working people have become more
productive than ever, yet real wages have declined and CEOs make more than
ever before; i.e., 347 times more than the average person in 2016; 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 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 United States Supreme Court is considering the case
Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, which could restrict unions from requiring dues
from non-member employees who benefit from collective bargaining, thereby
weakening the unions' power to effectively negotiate on behalf of all public sector
workers - such as nurses, teachers, and firefighters; and
WHEREAS, an unfavorable decision by United States Supreme Court may
deny public sector workers the freedom to access strong unions that make our
communities safe, more equitable, and strong; and
WHEREAS, in states where public union rights have come under attack,
we have seen different outcomes - in Wisconsin, for example, union membership
has fallen 38% after the state passed a law curtailing collective bargaining in
2011, but in other states such as Ohio and New Hampshire, unions have been
able to survive similar attacks through proactive strategies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Alameda relies on those who work in public service
to provide health care, educate our children, put out fires, prevent crime, power
our homes, fix our potholes, drive our buses, pick up our trash, and more; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City of Alameda supports the freedom of all
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 Alameda City Council urges the
Acting City Manager and appropriate staff to work with the public sector unions
at the City of Alameda post a Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court case decision by
cooperating to mitigate impacts and by engaging in good faith discussions, which
could include implementing membership cards and release time for rank and file
union leaders to explain the implications of a negative Janus decision.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular meeting
assembled on the 5th day of June, 2018, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, and Vella
—4.
NOES: Mayor Spencer — 1.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official sea[ of
said City this 61h day of June, 2018.
Lara Weisiger, Cit 4CIerk
City of Alameda
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Janet,/(/ Kern, City Attorney
City of Alameda