* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Sneed
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Supporting Public Workers’ Right to Organize
For the purpose of supporting 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 urging the Supreme Court to consider the legacy of Dr. King, the Memphis sanitation workers, and the public benefit created by workers organizing in rendering its decision in the upcoming Janus v. AFSCME case.
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Recitals
Whereas, it is our belief that all families should have the means to thrive in safe and healthy communities.
Whereas, the working people who make our city run ought to have good jobs that can support families.
Whereas, over the last forty years, working people have become more productive than ever, yet real wages are declining and CEOs make more than ever before: 347 times more than the average person.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whereas, the upcoming Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court case will have a monumental impact on our city residents.
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.
Whereas, Baltimore 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.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, that the Council 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 urges the Supreme Court to consider the legacy of Dr. King, the Memphis sanitation workers, and the public benefit created by workers organizing in rendering its decision in the upcoming Janus v. AFSCME case.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Labor Commissioner, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.