Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Sample resolution on Full Employment for use in Precinct Caucuses and Conventions

Note: This Resolution is submitted for discussion, dialog, debate and action by the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council as our part in celebrating the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 2013: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ Feel free to circulate.
Resolution on Full Employment (705 words)
Where as the politicians talk about “jobs, jobs, jobs” but have not taken on to themselves the responsibility for "Full employment;"
Where as the “free market capitalist system” has proven to be very unstable with boom and bust cycles--- and with the massive unemployment producing bust cycles of economic “slumps,” recessions, and depressions occurring with greater frequency and with full employment failing to be achieved even during the short periods of economic boom;
Where as "Full employment" is all about governmental accountability to the people;
Where as "Full employment" is all about peace and democracy;

Where as "Full employment" is all about the most fundamental human right of all--- the right to a job at a real living wage;
Where as unemployment is the major source of poverty for tens of millions of people;
Where as unemployed workers are going to be poor;
Where as unemployment has been used by government, business and industry as an “economic lever” to keep all wages down instead of controlling prices of food, housing, health care, college tuition, electricity, home heating fuels and gas to create a more stable economy;
Where as wars kill jobs just like they kill people;
Where as the “Full Employment Act of 1945” would have mandated “Full Employment” which was passed by the United States Senate but defeated by the U.S. House after a massive campaign by big business interests who realized they were about to lose super-profits obtained by unemployment pushing all wages down;

Where as the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares in no uncertain terms:

Article 23.
 (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
 (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
 (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
 (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
 Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
 (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
 (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.




Therefore, be it resolved a “Full Employment Act” to be known as the “21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperityshall be enacted which shall include:

1. A mandate requiring the president and Congress to work together to attain and maintain full employment.

2. Rely on government programs making the the government the employer of first choice whenever required.
3. Include a provision for the enforcement of Affirmative Action to assure people of color, women and the handicapped receive the jobs to which they are entitled.
4. Include a Minimum Wage provision making the federal Minimum Wage a real living wage based on all “cost-of-living” factors as monitored and tracked by the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, indexed to inflation quarterly and periodically increased to provide an improved standard-of-living.
5. A guaranteed annual income the equivalent of a living wage during any period of time when employment is not available for individuals.


Therefore, be it resolved that the 21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperityshall provide the guidance to create jobs by putting people to work solving the most pressing problems of people and society.


Therefore, be it resolved that all funds required to finance “Full Employment” shall come from “peace dividends,” a hefty tax on Wall Street transactions and profits along with taxing the rich.


Therefore, be it resolved this resolution becomes the position of (name of organization/party) on Full Employment.