SUPPORTING THE CAUSE OF PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

WHEREAS, the conflicts between the Unionists and the Republicans in Northern Ireland have reached violent and critical proportions; and

WHEREAS, discrimination in housing, employment, and education is well documented; and

WHEREAS, as trade unionists, we deplore the application of criteria of race, religion, or sex in the determination of employment, housing, or education; and

WHEREAS, the violence that is widespread in Northern Ireland has an adverse effect on the young; and

WHEREAS, in this time of global terrorism we condemn and deplore wanton violence as a means to secure a political end; and

WHEREAS, the governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have joined in an accord with the intent of wiping out terrorism and violence and of addressing injustice in a peaceable and reasonable way; and

WHEREAS, the AFT has always endorsed peaceful means of resolving differences between disputing parties; and

WHEREAS, the renowned Irish statesman Dr. Sean MacBride with three colleagues from Northern Ireland has formulated a nine-point program known as the MacBride Principles to end unfair labor practices in Northern Ireland, as follows:

The MacBride Principles for Northern Ireland, November 1984:

In light of decreasing employment opportunities in Northern Ireland and on a global scale and in order to guarantee equal access to regional employment, the undersigned propose the following equal opportunity/affirmative action principles:

• Increasing the representation of individuals from underrepresented religious groups in the work force including managerial, supervisory, administrative, clerical, and technical jobs.

• Adequate security for the protection of minority employees both at the workplace and while traveling to and from work.

• The banning of provocative religious or political emblems from the workplace.

• All job openings should be publicly advertised and special recruitment efforts should be made to attract applicants from underrepresented religious groups.

• Layoff, recall, and termination procedures should not in practice favor particular religious groups.

• The abolition of job reservations, apprenticeship restrictions, and differential employment criteria, which discriminate on the basis of religion or ethnic origin.

• The development of training programs that will prepare substantial numbers of current minority employees for skilled jobs, including the expansion of existing programs and the creation of new programs to train, upgrade, and improve the skills of minority employees.

• The establishment of procedures to assess, identify, and actively recruit minority employees with potential for further advancement.

• The appointment of a senior management staff member to oversee the company's affirmative action efforts and the setting up of timetables to carry out affirmative action principles; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT publicly applaud and endorse the Anglo-Irish Accord as a wholesome and hopeful first step in addressing grievances and in righting wrongs in the state of Northern Ireland; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT endorse and publicize the nine MacBride Principles and support all efforts to have them applied by U.S. firms and others operating in Northern Ireland.