HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 26-2009RESOLUTION NO. 26-2009
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EMPLOYEE FREE
CHOICE ACT, HR 800
WHEREAS, the United States has long recognized that freedom of association includes
employees' right to form a union; and
WHEREAS, a free choice to join with. others in order to bargain for better wages and benefits
is essential to economic opportunity and better living standards for workers; and
WHEREAS, workers across the nation are routinely denied the freedom to form unions and
bargain for bet~er working conditions, and that due to a fear of retaliation, many workers must
literally risk their jobs in order to form a union; and
WHEREAS, even where a union is formed, employers who unsuccessfully opposed the
unionization of their workforce often refuse to bargain fairly with an exclusive bargaining
representative certified by the National. Labor Relations Board, and resort to tactics that
undermine the first contract bargaining process; and
WHEREAS, whenever the right of workers to form a union is violated, the policies of
freedom of association and equitable workplaces are' frustrated; and
WHEREAS, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and U.S. Representative George Miller (D-
Cali£), have introduced H.R. 800, the "Employee Free Choice Act," to amend the National
Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist
labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during
organizing efforts, and for other purposes; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 800 passed the House of Representatives on March 1, 2007 and is
presently pending before the Senate; and
WHEREAS, if passed, H.R. 800 would permit the National Labor Relations Board to certify
an individual or labor organization as the exclusive bargaining representative upon proof that a
majority of employees in a unit appropriate for bargaining has signed valid authorizations
without the need for an election, thereby significantly easing the process of appointing an
exclusive bargaining representative, and further provides speedy access to arbitration and
penalties for unfair labor practices; and
WHEREAS, if passed, H.R. 800 would safeguard workers' ability to make a decision to
unionize without coercion and intimidation by employers, as well as expedite the process of
achieving a new union's first contract with the employer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South San
Francisco supports the "Employee Free Choice Act" H.R. 800 and recognizes the crucial
importance of passing that Act in the 110th Congress as the key step toward the goals of
safeguarding freedom of association and achieving equitable workplaces.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council directs the Clerk of the Board to send
copies of this resolution to the President and to all Members of the United States Congress
representing the City of South San Francisco.
* * ~ ~
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted by
the City Council of the City of South San Francisco at a regular meeting held on the 8th day of
April, 2009 by the following vote:
AYES: ~'ouncilmembers Pedro Gonzalez, Richard A. Garbarino, and Kevin Mullin,
Vice Mayor Mark Addiego and Ma o~ r KarYl Matsumoto
NOES: None
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: N
AT