American Federation of Teachers -- Local 4590

Kentucky State Employee

Bill of Employee Rights

The Kentucky Association of State Employees (KASE) and its national affiliate, The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), believe strongly that state and vocational school employees are entitled to a life of dignity equal to the high standard of service that is justly demanded of those professions. Therefore we hold these truths to be self-evident:

1) STATE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES have the right to think freely and to express themselves openly and without fear. This includes the right to hold views contrary to the majority or the political administration in power.

2) THEY SHALL be entitled to the free exercise of their religion. No restraint shall be put upon them in the manner, time or place of their worship.

3) THEY SHALL have the right to take part in social, civil, and political affairs. They shall have the right, during non-working hours, to participate in the political campaigns of their free choice.

4) THEY SHALL have legislatively mandated protection against political abuse, harassment or intimidation.

5) THE RIGHT OF STATE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES to live in places of their own choosing, to be free of restraints in their mode of living and the use of their leisure time shall not be abridged.

6) STATE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT are professions that shall not be subject to the surrender of basic human rights. These employees shall not be denied professional job advancement because of their race, sex, age, religion, ethnic origin, political affiliation, sexual preference or due to any disability that they may have.

7) IN ALL CASES affecting the employment of state and vocational school employees a full hearing by an independent and impartial body shall be afforded with the right to full judicial review as well as all rights of due process. These employees shall have the right to speedy and public proceedings, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the accusing witnesses, to subpoena witnesses and papers, and to the assistance of counsel.

8) IT SHALL be the duty of the employer to provide adequate salaries, fair advancement opportunities, job security in illness, quality affordable health care coverage and appropriate retirement income. State and vocational school employees have the right to be paid a salary that will: a) Afford a family standard of living comparable to that enjoyed by other professional people in the community; b) Afford the opportunity for leisure and recreation common to our heritage.

9) IT SHALL be aright of all state and vocational school employees to work in a safe, clean and professional facility that affords these employees every requirement to perform their job duties to the best of their abilities.

10) STATE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES must be guaranteed the right to be members of organizations of their own choosing, without coercion or intimidation. In all matters pertaining to their salaries, fringe benefits, working conditions and other terms and conditions of employment, they shall be entitled to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing with their officially designated employers.

Passed by the 1996 KASE/AFT State Delegate Conference on 1/12/96.