PAY EQUITY

WHEREAS, the AFT organizes workers, among them women workers, in many different job categories, including nurses, paraprofessionals, librarians, secretaries, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and state employees; and

WHEREAS, pay equity issues have been successfully fought and won in legal, legislative, and collective bargaining arenas; and

WHEREAS, pay equity is not only crucial to women's (and children's) well-being, it is also unlawful (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act) "to discriminate against an individual with respect to compensation because of such individual's . . . sex":

RESOLVED, that AFT urge its affiliated locals to effect pay equity adjustments in state employment through collective bargaining, legislation, litigation, political action, or any other means appropriate to each state; and

RESOLVED, that AFT support its affiliated locals in these endeavors with information, expertise, and political education.

RESOLVED, that the AFT assist locals in bargaining for pay equity, developing legislation and legal action to achieve pay equity for its members.

RESOLVED, that delegates to this convention of the American Federation of Teachers go on record as endorsing the concept of pay equity for paraprofessional and school-related personnel.