Whereas, the education of students with special needs is critical; and Whereas, Special Education instruction is required under the No Child Left

Behind Act (NCLB) and also in policies supported by the Obama administration; and

Whereas, instructional challenges are ever present when educating students with special needs, which calls for increased pre-service training and professional development for teachers and administrators; and

Whereas, the recent economic downturn has been especially brutal on American workers, and the economic burdens placed on working families are virtually unbearable; and

Whereas, Americans are working longer hours, have fewer benefits and enjoy less job-security; and Whereas, Collective Bargaining has always been the most effective antidote to inequality and injustice, yet, over the last several decades the right to bargain collectively has been under political attack; and

Whereas, The AFL-CIO and the Labor movement recognizes and appreciates the contribution that retirees make to their societies and the tremendous diversity within the ranks of retirees; and

Whereas, retirees are reaching an advanced age in greater numbers than ever before and are in better health than ever before; and

Whereas, AFSA retirees have a tremendous wealth of knowledge and unique experiences in public education; and

Whereas, The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA) promise workers the right to a safe job; and

Whereas, unions and our allies have fought hard to make this promise a reality, winning protections that have made occupations safer, saving hundreds of thousands of lives, and preventing millions of workplace injuries and illnesses; and

Whereas, there still remain too many dangerous job hazards that are unregulated and uncontrolled, putting workers in serious danger; and

Whereas, the labor movement faces enormous challenges in sustaining membership, in organizing, in negotiations and having a strong voice in the workplace; and

Whereas, in order to be successful as unions, we need a strong, coordinated and unified voice at the national, state and local levels; and

Whereas, state federations of labor provide the Labor Movements voice in state capitols and around the country, and central labor councils are the Labor Movements community voice; and

Whereas, children and young adults are increasingly using the Internet, social media and other electronic forms of communication; and

Whereas, incidents of cyber bullying are growing more prevalent and harmful to many students; and

Whereas, problems resulting from cyber bullying often arise in schools, demanding more staff time while posing a threat to a safe and positive school climate; and

Whereas, Bullying of children and young adults is a serious problem across the nation and; Whereas, educators, parents, students and community members are becoming increasingly aware of this national problem; and

Whereas, we as school administrators work daily to provide a safe and secure school environment where students can learn and teachers can teach; and

Whereas, The AFL-CIO and other labor, education, civil rights, and advocacy groups have endorsed the DREAM Act, a piece of federal legislation that would provide hardworking immigrant students a fair path to legal status; and

Whereas, many children grow up in the United States, attend local schools and demonstrate a sustained commitment to succeed in public school and beyond by contributing to society; and

Whereas, AFSA continues to increase its participation in professional, labor and legislative matters consistent with its Constitution and mission.

Whereas, The AFL-CIO can impose increases in per capita taxes and/or assessments to its affiliates. Whereas, AFSA has also considered the needs of its local affiliates and members.

Therefore, AFSA resolves that the per capita dues remain $8.35 per month for active members and $2.50 per month for retirees.

The Employee Free Choice Act is a priority for the AFL-CIO and will facilitate membership in unions by expanding employees choice in how to organize. The Employee Free Choice Act would also impose serious fines and legal actions against employers who intimidate, harass or fire pro-union employees and will compel employers to recognize a legally elected union in the workplace within a specified period of time.