WORKER JUSTICE SOCIAL STATMENTS - UNITED METHODIST

Worker Justice

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/issues/resolutions.php?resolutionid=62

"Every person has the right and responsibility to work for the benefit of himself or herself and the enhancement of human life and community to receive adequate remuneration" (¶ 73C, The Book of Discipline 1984; ¶ 67C, with different language, The Book of Discipline 1996).

Around the world, working people share many of the same concerns: unjust hours and wages; unsafe workplaces; sexual harassment; and discrimination because of race, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Some workers encounter harassment, violence, or job loss for even raising issues of concern with their employer; aging workers are quickly `let go’ from their jobs for having reached a company-imposed `senior’ status and are suddenly replaced with `more energetic,’ younger persons; young workers accept lower wages more readily; and many workers are employed full-time but are unable to live above poverty conditions.

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/issues/resolutions.php?resolutionid=129

Scripture teaches that human beings, created in the image of God, have an innate dignity (Genesis 1:27). God grants dignity to work by commanding human beings to be stewards of the land and to till and keep the earth (Genesis 1:28, 2:15).

Work is one way through which human beings exercise their God-given creativity. Scripture also teaches that an economic system should be ordered so that employees receive justice at their place of work. It mandates that society and its institutions are to be structured so that marginalized persons participate fully in the shaping of society and their own future. This requires respect for the right to organize and bargain collectively without fear of reprisal, to receive a living wage, to be free from discrimination or any form of forced or bonded labor, and the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

A. Workers are not paid for how much value they put into the products they produce. They are paid according to the wage scales where they live. This is often not a livable wage.

B. Working conditions, hours, and safety are not regulated by local public authorities, but increasingly by corporations. These corporations can threaten to move if authorities push to change working conditions

D. Corporations still reject workers’ rights of free association, collective bargaining, collective actions. They discriminate against workers who try to organize for these rights. They use the threat of transferring production to defeat organizing efforts and to bargain away rights.

E. Millions of workers are mired in poverty as the global economy becomes more stratified.

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/issues/resolutions.php?resolutionid=63

The United Methodist Church through its Social Principles recognizes and supports the right of workers to organize into unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively regarding hours, wages and conditions of employment.

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

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