Resolution in support of the National Prison Strike 2018

On April 15, 2018, an uprising in the Lee Correctional Institute in South Carolina resulted in the deaths of seven incarcerated workers. Such a tragedy could have been avoided if not for overcrowding and a lack of respect for human lives that characterizes our penal system. In response, people incarcerated in prisons across the United States are calling for a strike to take place from August 21, 2018 to September 9, 2018. Prison strike actions may include: work strikes, sit-ins, boycotts, and hunger strikes.

 

As unionists, we recognize that incarcerated people live under particularly oppressive conditions, including the rampant overcrowding that led to the riot at Lee Correctional Institute. They are also forced to work for little or no pay, often in dangerous environments. If they refuse to do so, they can be punished with solitary confinement, limits on family visitation, or reduction in earned good time.Courts have consistently ruled that workers are not protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act or the National Labor Relations Act, giving them no claim to collective bargaining rights or workplace protections. In addition, formerly incarcerated people face discrimination in securing employment and education, while those convicted of felonies have limited voting rights in a number of states. All workers, including those who are incarcerated, should have a say in their working conditions. All workers, including those who are incarcerated, should have access to safe and dignified living conditions

 

Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

 

1. CGEU agrees with the demands of the strike;

2. CGEU stands in solidarity with the prison strike;

3. CGEU calls on chapters and locals to offer their support to the strike, through statements, contacting political representatives, material support, and in other ways outlined by strike organizers;

4. CGEU calls on chapters and locals to advocate for university divestment from prisons and for universities to discontinue using products or services provided by prison labor;

5. CGEU calls on chapters and locals to provide support beyond the strike for people who are or were formerly incarcerated, through letter writing campaigns, ban the box campaigns, bail-outs, etcetera.

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Appendix: National Prison Strike 2018 demands

 

1. Immediate improvements to the conditions of prisons and prison policies that recognize the humanity of imprisoned men and women.

2. An immediate end to prison slavery. All persons imprisoned in any place of detention under United States jurisdiction must be paid the prevailing wage in their state or territory for their labor.

3. The Prison Litigation Reform Act must be rescinded, allowing imprisoned humans a proper channel to address grievances and violations of their rights.

4. The Truth in Sentencing Act and the Sentencing Reform Act must be rescinded so that imprisoned humans have a possibility of rehabilitation and parole. No human shall be sentenced to Death by Incarceration or serve any sentence without the possibility of parole.

5. An immediate end to the racial overcharging, over-sentencing, and parole denials of Black and brown humans. Black humans shall no longer be denied parole because the victim of the crime was white, which is a particular problem in southern states.

6. An immediate end to racist gang enhancement laws targeting Black and brown humans.

7. No imprisoned human shall be denied access to rehabilitation programs at their place of detention because of their label as a violent offender.

8. State prisons must be funded specifically to offer more rehabilitation services.

9. Pell grants must be reinstated in all US states and territories.

10. The voting rights of all confined citizens serving prison sentences, pretrial detainees, and so-called “ex-felons” must be counted. Representation is demanded. All voices count.