Racial Justice and the Role of the Connecticut AFL-CIO: An Injury to One is an Injury to All

WHEREAS, in light of recent events, the importance of civility and respectful dialogue cannot be overstated in addressing sensitive and complex issues related to race, which are essential for fostering understanding, empathy, and solidarity, and

WHEREAS, creating an environment of mutual respect and understanding is crucial for creating inclusive and equitable communities and a stronger labor movement, including:

• Respecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of those from all racial and ethnic backgrounds;

• Actively listening and being open to learning from others;

• Avoiding personal attacks and demeaning language;

• Welcoming difficult or uncomfortable discussions as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding;

• Creating safe and inclusive spaces where all voices are heard and valued;

• Holding ourselves and others accountable for maintaining principles of civility and respect; and

WHEREAS, the Connecticut AFL-CIO has reaffirmed its commitment to confront racism, bias, and discrimination and will not be silent when we hear or see discriminatory comments or actions in the workplace or the labor movement, and

WHEREAS, the Connecticut AFL-CIO Executive Board established the Connecticut Racial and Economic Justice Committee in 2020 to focus on addressing systemic issues around implicit racial bias across our labor movement by creating awareness, developing racial and cultural proficiency, and identifying conflict resolutions and processes that aim to eliminate racial in-equity and build trust and transparency within the Connecticut AFL-CIO and its affiliates, so

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut AFL-CIO and its affiliates fundamentally oppose all acts of racial and social injustice, including acts of discrimination and systemic oppression, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut AFL-CIO, through the Racial and Economic Justice Committee, shall act as an instrument for education and coordinated action in opposition to all forms of racial injustice, including, but not limited to, providing educational programs on matters of racial injustice to affiliates, members and allies of the Connecticut labor movement, as well as coordinating and/or assisting in the coordination of actions and mobilizations against racial injustice, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut AFL-CIO’s Racial and Economic Justice Committee shall be available, upon request, to assist affiliates in identifying and resolving matters of racial injustice, bigotry, as well as racial disputes and misunderstandings within affiliates of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, in workplaces and industries, and between the Connecticut labor movement and external entities, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Connecticut AFL-CIO’s Racial and Economic Justice Committee is mandated to speak out against any and all forms of racial and social injustice that impact Connecticut’s working class, including, but not limited to, the usage of mainstream and social media and other forms of communication in order to articulate the fundamental message of any genuine labor movement: An injury to one is an injury to all.

Submitted By: Racial and Economic Justice Committee

Convention Action: APPROVE REJECT