Occupy Wall Street movement

WHEREAS the “Occupy Wall Street” movement has resulted in hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathering here in New York City and in more than 190 cities, towns and communities across the nation in recent weeks to protest corporate greed and its short and long-term detrimental effects on the national economy and America’s working families and middle class; and

WHEREAS the size and scope of these protests continue to grow and attract more demonstrators and gain increased support from labor unions, civic and community organizations, not-for-profit groups, veterans’ groups, elected officials, clergy and a host of other organizations and individuals; and

WHEREAS the calls of protesters condemning corporate greed and demanding that wealthy corporations, financial institutions and government invest more resources into efforts to create good jobs and provide fairer treatment for the 99 percent of  Americans adversely affected by the economy are in keeping with the goals of the American labor movement; and

WHEREAS such demands support measures such as the United Federation of Teachers’ (UFT) calls for passage of key provisions of President Obama’s American Jobs Act, a millionaire’s tax and a more equitable revision of the federal tax code to end or reduce corporate tax loopholes; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the UFT continue its support of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement by participating in related demonstrations and protests and urging its members to do the same; and be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT continue its efforts to achieve an extension of a millionaire’s tax to help fund public education, build new schools, hire and retain good teachers and lower class size in New York City and reduce the need for layoffs of educators and other city and state public employees; and be it further

RESOLVED that the UFT continue to work with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to influence Congress to support key provisions of President Obama’s American Jobs Act and also revise the federal tax code to make it more equitable for American taxpayers while holding corporations more accountable and more responsible for paying their fair share of taxes.