VT AFL-CIO Passes May Day Resolution to Align Contract Expirations on May 1, 2028
Beka Mendelsohn of Scoopers United speaks at the 2023 May Day Rally in Battery Park, Burlington.
The VT AFL-CIO Executive Board adopted the following resolution supporting the UAW's call to align contract expirations at a meeting on March 11th, 2024. Below is the full text of the resolution.
RESOLUTION
of the
VERMONT STATE LABOR COUNCIL
SUPPORTING THE UAW’S CALL TO ALIGN CONTRACT EXPIRATIONS
[Adopted by a motion of the VT AFL-CIO Executive Board on March 11, 2024.]
Whereas, big business and their political allies have waged a war on workers, and
Whereas, the war on workers has led to deteriorating conditions and spiraling income inequality for working families, and
Whereas, union workers are fighting back, taking strike action in order to secure fair contracts for themselves and for their communities, and
Whereas, working Americans have turned to unions to fight for economic justice and a voice on the job, with 67% of Americans approving of labor unions, and
Whereas, organized labor must find creative ways to maximize our economic power and fight against corporate greed, and
Whereas, the United Auto Workers, led by President Shawn Fain, have called for unions to align contract expirations for May 1, or “International Workers’ Day,” with the aim of a mass strike on May 1, 2028, and
Whereas, the power that unions have derives from our unity; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO echoes President Fain’s call for aligning contract expirations for May 1, and to prepare for potential mass strike action on May 1, 2028, and therefore be it
Resolved, that Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO encourages unions to consider aligning contract expirations, whether on May 1 or other dates, and therefore be it
Resolved, that Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO commits to unwaveringly supporting affiliates and the broader labor movement in bargaining fair contracts, and in anticipated or active labor disputes.