AFT St. Louis, Local 420
Justice & Equality Resolution
Whereas: On May 25, 2020, the world shockingly watched thevideo recording of an unarmed black male, George Floyd, lay on the ground with hands restrained and an officer of the Minneapolis Police knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds torturing and choking him to death.
Whereas: The tragic incident on May 25, 2020 is an all too familiar reminder that on August 9, 2014, an unarmed 18 years old, black male, Michael Brown was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson. Brown’s bloodied body was allowed to remain in the street for four hours in the summer heat.
Whereas: It is with great sorrow that we express that thesetragic events and many others like it, are not unfamiliar to people of color and that these travesties have transpired for centuries across the Nation.
Whereas: Our union brothers and sisters who live and work in the communities where these incidents and killings are occurring, are calling out for our help in these troubling times.
Whereas: In a time that this country faces the impacts of coronavirus 19, the U.S. employment rate soars to 14.7 percent, the worst since the Depression era equating to 20.5 million people lost employment of which 61% of Hispanics and 44% of African-Americans households were laid off.
Whereas: Local 420 has established a Diversity Relations Program as part of its collective bargaining agreement with the St. Louis Public Schools with a purpose to pursue racial, social and economic justice for all union members, non-union workers and their families, immigrants and the underserved and underrepresented that make up the diverse community in which we live.
Whereas: Local 420 with approximately 2,000 union members in the Metropolitan St. Louis Area stands united and true to our core belief “An attack on one of us, is an attack on all”.
Whereas: Local 420 has a duty and responsibility to coalition in partnership with our members, community leaders and the faith community to ensure and pronounce “Black Lives Matter” and “Enough is Enough”; and
Therefore, Be It Resolved: Local 420 will commit to calling out injustices in our various communities when we see them and will advocate dismantling the separate social and economic systems that prevent black and brown communities from having the right to achieve a better life for themselves and their families.
Resolved: Local 420 will build solidarity and understanding among union leaders and members on how race and systematic racism has been used to weaken labor unity limit the growth of the labor movement and damage efforts to advance economic reforms that benefit all working people.
Resolved: Local 420 will commit to build a “diverse and inclusive labor movement,” that integrate the issues and concerns of members and workers of color into labor’s political and policy work at every level. And actively encourage and support organizing campaigns within our communities to narrow the economic disparities while expanding collective bargaining rights and safe working conditions.
Be It Finally Resolved: Local 420 demands a Change right now in our Criminal Justice system and Community Policing policies, as we demand justice for George Floyd and all people of color who are victims of police violence and systemic racism throughout this region and our nation.