Approved Resolutions

The following resolutions have been approved by the delegates attending the 2020 Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention.

Support PRO Act

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that delegates to the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention endorse the PRO Act and commend central bodies for including the issue in candidate screenings; 

Sexual Harassment

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas AFL-CIO will vigorously encourage affiliates to enforce rules that provide a path for members to safely report and resolve sexual harassment they have experienced in their local, state or national union; 

Future of Work

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO urges policymakers to establish a safety net, including expanded unemployment benefits and job training, for Texas workers who experience mass displacement because of automation, artificial intelligence and other new technologies; 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Texas AFL-CIO urges the Texas Legislature to overturn the Texas Workforce Commission’s rule that designates gig economy workers as “marketplace contractors”; 

Immigration

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that delegates to the Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention renew the state federation’s endorsement of comprehensive immigration reform legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, delegates to the 60th Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention endorse prompt passage of legislation that would deliver legal status and a path to citizenship for immigrants in the DACA, TPS and DED programs.

Complete Count in U.S. Census

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, delegates to the 2020 COPE Convention join in calling for all Texas residents to be counted in the 2020 U.S. Census;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the state federation and central bodies will work toward a complete count, cooperating with Census officials and working within our capacities to encourage participation in the Census by all working families.

OPPOSE White Supremacy

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that COPE delegates condemn domestic terrorism, white supremacy and bigotry in all forms;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that delegates call on Congress and the Texas Legislature to enact legislation that, while respecting the 2nd Amendment, begins to address the epidemic of mass shootings;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that delegates call on the labor movement to continue to speak out against racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim attacks and bigotry wherever we see it; and

Equal Pay for Equal Work

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas AFL-CIO will escalate its efforts to achieve laws requiring equal pay for equal work;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas AFL-CIO will fight harassment and discrimination and promote stronger representation of women in staff and leadership roles; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas AFL-CIO’s legislative program will continue to support policies that equalize opportunity for working women.

Women's Health Care

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas AFL-CIO affirms that access to the full range of reproductive health care services rights are issues of life and death for women, and that the absence of these rights and services affects the health, well-being and finances of working families;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Texas AFL-CIO urges all councils and locals to educate their members about women’s health issues and urges them to fight anti-female health legislation in their communities; 

Campaign Finance Reform

Now therefore be it resolved, in order to eliminate pay-to-play cronyism and to restore public trust in our system of government, the Texas AFL-CIO should support state legislation that imposes contribution limits to state legislative candidates and that also strengthens penalties for non-compliance of mandatory reporting requirements, and be it further resolved, that the Texas AFL-CIO support higher salaries for state legislators so that it is feasible for more working Texans to consider running for office.

Opposing TEA Takeover of HISD

We are resolved in our opposition to any efforts by the Texas Education Agency to take over the Houston Independent School District.

Property Sales Price Disclosure

Be it resolved that the Texas AFL-CIO pledge its support of legislative initiatives to require sales price disclosure of property transactions from title companies to the appropriate county appraisal districts to improve fairness and transparency in taxation of Texas workers.

Voter Registration

Be it resolved to encourage all the convention delegates be trained to become deputized voter registrars.

Aircraft Maintenance

Be it resolved the Texas AFL-CIO supports the U. S. House of Representatives HR5119 The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act.