« CtW Convention 2007: CtW Leaders Speak | Main | Workers Win at UPS »

CtW Convention 2007: Resolutions Passed

The convention wasn't all about candidates and speeches.  Two resolutions were introduced; both were passed unanimously.  Here are key excerpts from the resolutions, along with links to the full text (in Adobe PDF format -- you will need the free Adobe Reader to open them, if you don't have it already).

The first resolution reviewed the progress that Change to Win has made since our founding convention in 2005, and set the direction for the years to come.

Excerpt:

Whereas, our founding convention committed Change to Win to a pledge to organize to make work pay, restore the right to organize, win universal health care and retirement  security, and defend the right of immigrant workers.

Whereas, real wages and incomes continue to lag productivity and profits of corporations by a wide margin. Nearly 50 million Americans are without health insurance and tens of millions more are underinsured. The erosion of retirement security has continued unabated. The gap between the super-rich and everyone else has expanded dramatically, and the immigration crisis has intensified.

And whereas, the Change to Win American Dream Survey reveals rising anger and anxiety among American workers due to the continued erosion of the American Dream.

Be it hereby resolved that the delegates to the second Convention of Change to Win, coming together under the banner of “Uniting for the American Dream,” rededicate ourselves to:

  • Expand comprehensive campaigns to increase union membership in each affiliate’s core industries as a means to rebuild worker power and unite millions in the growth industries of the 21st century.
  • Accelerate the restructuring of our unions at the national, state, and local levels to advance our strategic organizing model.
  • Increase coordination between our affiliates to unite millions of workers into our unions.
  • Expand our activities and leverage in the capital markets to simultaneously enhance shareholder value and worker rights.
  • Expand global coordination with unions around the world in campaigns to organize workers at multi-national employers and leverage global relationships to reduce employer resistance.
  • Intensify our work and coordination, in conjunction with other labor and progressive organizations, in the electoral arena to advance the interests of workers through the passage and signing of the Employee Free Choice Act and the election of pro-worker leadership at all levels of government.

Finally, be it hereby resolved that the delegates to this second Convention of Change to Win, commit themselves to expanding the worker movement and restoring the American Dream for all.

The second resolution expressed solidarity with the workers of the United Auto Workers, who had just walked out on strike at General Motors when the convention met.  (The strike has since been recessed after GM and the UAW reached a tentative agreement.)

Excerpt:

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that this 2nd Change to Win Convention calls on all Change to Win affiliates at the national and local levels to demonstrate solidarity with UAW members and their families by honoring their picket lines and providing moral, organizational and material support for them.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Change to Win Members in cities and states across the country become fully engaged at all levels in strike support for our brothers and sisters in the UAW in order to bring victory to them and their families.

Post a comment

Your personal information