September 7, 2009

Governor Markell Announces Protections for State Workers to Organize Union

Governor makes joint Labor Day announcement with AFSCME Council 81

WILMINGTON -- Marking the annual Labor Day celebrations, Governor Jack Markell jointly announced with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 81, an executive order that affirms the Governor’s support for the state and federally protected right of Delaware State Employees to organize and form their own union.

AFSCME Executive Director Michael A. Begatto said, “The right to choose to come together to improve working conditions and protect the dignity of workers through the collective bargaining process is a fundamental democratic right. That is why AFSCME worked so hard to pass Senate Bill 36 in 2007. This law gave collective bargaining rights to state employees for the first time. The one-way workers can guarantee fair compensation and treatment at work is to have a seat at the table. And a seat at the table means collective bargaining. Governor Marklell is making sure that seat is there.

“At this time of economic uncertainty and sacrifice for so many hard working families across Delaware, we are pleased to join Governor Markell especially today, on Labor Day as he expresses his strong support for the right of hard working women and men who serve the State of Delaware to fully utilize  their democratic right to discuss organizing and representation through their union at work, free of influence by supervisors,” concluded Begatto.

Governor Markell stated, “Delaware state employees provide vital public services. It is my honor and privilege to work with you as well as for you to serve the people of Delaware. I am pleased to sign this Executive Order making clear my very strong support for the right of Delaware state employees to exercise their democratic right to choose to form their own union and use the collective bargaining process to protect dignity on the job and to do so free from undue outside influence and obstacles.”