Resolution #6

ENSURE PATIENT SAFETY AND PROTECT OUR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BY CONTINUING OUR COMMITMENT TO POLITICAL ACTION

1 WHEREAS:

2 Labor unions are under attack nationally by corporate special interests who want to weaken

3 unions in order to increase their profits while workers, including Health Care Professionals, have

4 heavy workloads and lack resources for a healthy work environment; and

5 WHEREAS:

6 These corporate interests have invested heavily in the political process electing politicians

7 who will work against labor interests, elevate judges who will erode union strength, while

8 eliminating workplace protections and deskilling the workforce; and

9 WHEREAS:

10 UNAC/UHCP and our members recognize the challenges of having anti-union elected

11 officials and jurists, and engages in the political process to be a voice for our patients, protect our

12 licenses, scope of practice, clinical judgment and improve our working conditions; and

13 WHEREAS:

14 UNAC/UHCP and our members have been recognized nationally for our political

15 participation by AFSCME International Union, as one of the top five AFSCME unions

16 participating in the PEOPLE program; and

17 WHEREAS:

18 UNAC/UHCP and our members have been successful in protecting our union members

19 professions, defeating legislation that would deskill the workforce, and advancing policies that

20 would protect the workforce and patients; and

21 WHEREAS:

22 UNAC/UHCP and our members success has come from participating in the political

23 process, building relationships with elected officials and other labor unions including Central

24 Labor councils and external organizations, to help further our legislative, organizing, and contract

25 campaigns; and

28 WHEREAS:

29 UNAC/UHCP and its members understand to have a seat at the table, we need to

30 participate.

31 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

32 UNAC/UHCP and its membership reaffirms and recognizes the union’s involvement in the

33 political process is necessary and critical to the future of the union, our patients, and professions;

34 and

35 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

36 UNAC/UHCP and its members will continue to support, expand and invest in its political

37 efforts including supporting electoral politics, advocacy, and coalition building in order to advance

38 and protect the union, our members and patients; and

39 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

40 UNAC/UHCP and its members, will continue to join the PEOPLE Program, and shall have

41 a minimum 10-percent affiliate, chapter and union goal of registering members to the PEOPLE

42 UNAC/UHCP Champion level; and

43 BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

44 UNAC/UHCP and its members, shall continue to participate in the political process, by

45 electing and supporting candidates and elected officials who support unions.

SUBMITTED BY:
Andrea Muir, RN, President and Delegate
Arlene Paiste, RN, Treasurer and Delegate
Hayley Kellas, RN, Secretary and Delegate
Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN)

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION: ADOPTION

A/R COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: ADOPT AS AMENDED

AS PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE