Urging the City of Philadelphia to cooperate with the efforts of the Philadelphia Zoo employees to achieve collective bargaining status, and to elect the union representative of their choice in the atmosphere free from coercion and intimidation.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the United States and one of the City of Philadelphia's finest family and tourist attractions; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Zoo employs over 400 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, many of whom are residents of the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Many of the Zoo's employees do not have union representation and are paid low wages and receive no benefits; and

WHEREAS, A majority of these same employees desire union representation, and have, along with AFSCME District Council 47, filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board seeking a speedy union election; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Supports the efforts of these employees of the Philadelphia Zoo to achieve union representation and the benefits which accompany collective bargaining; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Urges the Philadelphia Zoo to agree to a speedy election; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Urges the Philadelphia Zoo to adopt a neutral stance during the campaign and allow its employees to choose their representative in an environment free from coercion and intimidation; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Urges the Philadelphia Zoo to refrain from making disparaging statements about AFSCME, AFSCME District Council 47, its officers and agents, as well as other AFSCME affiliates.

End