Working with Equality PA to Pass Legislation That Prohibits Discrimination Based on an Individual’s
Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression
WHEREAS, the PA AFL-CIO recognizes that divisions amongst workers based on race, gender, religion,
ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation and expression/identity solely benefit employers and
politicians who seek to weaken us in the struggle for workers’ rights; and
WHEREAS, the PA AFL-CIO recognizes that workers’ unity is their greatest strength in standing up for
social and economic justice, in our workplaces and communities; and
WHEREAS, the PA AFL-CIO has a long and proud history of uniting workers across the lines that divide
us, leading our sisters and brothers side by side in the struggle for workers’ rights, never standing
silently by the face of oppression and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, the union is the best protection against discrimination in the work place, and the best voice
for equality in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the current status quo in the Commonwealth leaves the majority of LGBT workers and their
families without legal protections against discrimination in the work place and their communities; and
WHEREAS, the national AFL-CIO has come out in strong support of federal legislation in the Employment
Non-Discrimiantion Act, knowing that only 17 states and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting
employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and four more have laws
barring employment discrimination based only on sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, it is unacceptable that Pennsylvania is not one of these states that prohibits it is legal to
discriminate in employment, housing, and public accommodation based on sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression; and
WHEREAS, Equality Pennsylvania has been a steadfast ally in the struggle to defend workers in their
workplaces and communities.
NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED BY THE PA AFL-CIO, that we shall commit to add our voices, collective
power, and resources to the movement for full LGBT equality for all workers, their families, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we shall seek equality of benefits and protection and against
discrimination in our collective bargaining agreements; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the PA AFL-CIO will seek to educate our members on the importance of
LGBT equality in our collective struggles for justice in the work place and our communities; and\
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, resolves to strongly join efforts to pass non-discrimination laws in the
commonwealth, to recognize Equality Pennsylvania as a strategic partner and to work together to build
a Pennsylvania Labor Table for Equality.
JOINTLY SUBMITTED BY UFCW LOCAL 1776 AND SEIU HCPA