WHEREAS, the Diversity Committee is a standing committee responsible for establishing goals and timelines for accomplishing the inclusion and diversity initiatives, monitoring the progress on the initiatives, issuing quarterly reports to the affiliates on such progress, and developing the Teamsters National Strategic Inclusion and Diversity Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Human Rights Commission is an International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Department which actively works to involve all members, to increase opportunities for participation in all aspects of our Union, to fight the discrimination that weakens our Union, and to assist with implementing the Teamsters National Strategic Inclusion and Diversity Plan; and

WHEREAS, over the past five years, there has been substantial overlap in membership, mission and responsibilities of the Human Rights Commission and Diversity Committee, which are both led by the Director of the Human Rights Commission; and

WHEREAS, in order to strengthen our cause and use our resources more efficiently and effectively to ensure that we create a powerful voice to advocate dignity and justice on the job, and to ensure that ideas, perspectives and involvement in policymaking and leadership roles by all members are encouraged, regardless of their race, age, ethnicity, culture, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, or religion.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED at this 29th International Convention that we should combine the Human Rights Commission and the Diversity Committee into one department named the Human Rights and Diversity Commission led by a Director, Deputy Director and Regional Representatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Human Rights and Diversity Commission will continue to act as a standing committee, which meets quarterly and at the Convention and will be responsible for implementing and developing the Teamsters National Strategic Inclusion and Diversity Plan; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that in order to maintain a strong foundation, we must continue to be inclusive and protect the rights of members from all walks of life, and to bring awareness to issues affecting those who face persistent inequality and adversity resulting from discrimination, social stigma and stereotypes.