WHEREAS, the prospects for a decent retirement for most Americans is shrinking, including many working families that are not saving at all and are woefully unprepared for retirement; and
WHEREAS, it is time for our country to commit to moving from retirement security for just a lucky few to retirement security for all; and
WHEREAS, many Americans lack access to a retirement savings plan through an employer; and
WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO is the labor center for American workers and fights tirelessly for economic justice and civil, labor and human rights for workers across the world; and
WHEREAS, it is more important than ever in the current environment for labor to stand strong with all members of our community in the continuing fight for economic, social and racial justice; and
WHEREAS, when educators and all working people join together in a union, we all win better wages, health care, benefits and retirement protections; and
WHEREAS, AFSA understands that attacks on unions, including the Janus v. AFSCMEU.S. Supreme Court case, as well as schemes to prohibit payroll deduction, require annual union recertification and the elimination of collective bargaining rights, are constant threats to our ability to negotiate for these basic rights; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the voice of school administrators be heard at the local, state and national political levels; and
WHEREAS, each member of the American Federation of School Administrators should be encouraged to become actively involved in speaking out, speaking up and helping to make a positive change in the local, state and national political venues; and
WHEREAS, active involvement by AFSA members will result in positive outcomes for our profession;
WHEREAS, when working people have a seat at the table, we have a voice in the agenda; and
WHEREAS, over the past four years, the AFL-CIO, along with the AFL-CIO state federations and affiliated unions, have focused on recruiting labor candidates and winning elections across the country;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that AFSA encourages more of our members to run for public office by creating state-level programs to train and support labor candidates.