2023 ND AFL-CIO Resolutions

North Dakota AFL-CIO 64th Convention 

A RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 560 AND INTERNATIONAL STAFF ON THEIR ORGANIZING SUCCESSES AT BOBCAT

WHEREAS: The North Dakota AFL-CIO recognizes that it is historically very difficult to organize new unions in North Dakota; and

WHEREAS: Corporate interests wield incredible power to keep workers divided; and

WHEREAS: Workers wield a greater countervailing power when they join together in unions; and

WHEREAS: Joining together in a union takes courage, dedication and hard work; and

WHEREAS: The United Steelworkers Local 560 successfully organized hundreds of workers at Bobcat in Bismarck, ND; and therefore be it

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO congratulates United Steelworkers Local 560 on their historic organizing victory in Bismarck, North Dakota; and be it further

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO congratulates the United Steelworkers on their subsequent victory in Rogers, Minnesota; and be it further

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO proudly welcomes these courageous new union members into our labor family.

North Dakota AFL-CIO 64th Convention 

A RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE CHANGES TO BALLOT MEASURES INITIATED BY THE 2023 NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE: 

WHEREAS: The North Dakota AFL-CIO strongly supports our current and time-honored system referrals and initiated measures as important methods of citizen participation in our democracy; and

WHEREAS: The 2023 North Dakota Legislature has initiated a constitutional ballot measure that will be on the ballot in the next general election; and

WHEREAS: A “Yes” vote would establish a single-subject rule for statutory and constitutional initiatives; and 

WHEREAS: A “Yes” vote would increase the number of signatures required from 4% to 5% of the resident population of the state for constitutional amendment initiatives; and 

WHEREAS: A “Yes” vote would require that proposed constitutional initiatives be approved by the voters twice, once in the primary and again in the general; and therefore be it

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO will oppose these changes during the 2024 general election; and be it further

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO will work to educate union members on protecting our rights as voters.

North Dakota AFL-CIO 64th Convention 

A RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE SCHOOL VOUCHERS SCHEMES: 

WHEREAS: The North Dakota AFL-CIO believes that public dollars raised from taxpayers should only be used to support public schools; and

WHEREAS: North Dakota families have the choice to send their children to private schools with their own resources or resources raised privately by the schools; and

WHEREAS: The North Dakota AFL-CIO believes that public dollars raised from taxpayers should only be used to support public schools; and

WHEREAS: Private schools are not held to the same standards of transparency, accountability, and equal access that public schools are rightly held to; and therefore be it

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO will adamantly oppose any voucher-like scheme that will use public dollars to fund private schools or to provide publicly funded incentives to families to attend private schools; and be it further

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO will stand in solidarity with educators and community members who advocate for the resources and support our public schools and students need.