Positions on Social Issues

Migrant/Agricultural Workers, Military Service/Veterans' Benefits, Narcotics Addics/Drug Abusers

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Migrant Workers; Agricultural Workers

Calling the plight of migrant workers and other agricultural workers "a scandal in a generally affluent society," Convention in 1968 urged the New York State Legislature to bring these laborers under the State Labor Relations Act, to raise their wages to existing state minimum wage standards, and to extend to them coverage under the Workmen's Compensation Law as well as unemployment insurance coverage. Congress was urged to bring such workers under the National Labor Relations Act.

In 1992 the Convention decried "those laws and regulations which deny farmworkers the same rights, benefits, and compensation afforded other laborers."


Military Service; Veterans' Benefits

In its 1973 resolution dealing with amnesty for war resisters, Convention also recognized and commended "those who in obedience to conscience and the call of their country chose to follow the law of the land and serve in Vietnam or wherever called upon to go." A 1975 Convention resolution requested the President and Congress "to offer due and proper recognition of the honorable service of Vietnam veterans by upgrading education and insurance benefits to the equivalent of those provided those who served in World War II." New York's Governor and Legislature were urged to continue funding New York State's County Veteran Service Agency offices and to "provide other benefits commensurate with recognition of those who honorably served in their country's Armed Forces" in Vietnam.


Narcotic Addicts; Drug Abusers

"Humane treatment of the addict, including the addicted seller of narcotics, as a person needing rehabilitation rather than as a criminal needing punishment" was called for by Convention in 1964. This was reinforced by Convention endorsement in 1966 of programs which "serve to facilitate the realistic, socially acceptable re-entry of the narcotic addict into the community." That 1966 resolution expressed "deep concern for the moral, constitutional, and practical implications of mandatory civil commitment of non-criminal addicts;" it also supported rehabilitation programs for those addicted to or abusive of non-narcotic drugs.

The 1999 Convention called for the repeal or revision of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, and called for "a more cost effective and humane route of treatment in the community, and, if the offender should be incarcerated, ensure that adequate treatment is available

See also Marijuana

 

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