    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 14, 1998]
    [Page 53]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the AFL-CIO Initiatives Against Discrimination
    January 14, 1998

        Thousands of union men and women have been working hard to improve
    race relations in the workplace. Members of the AFL-CIO, in the
    tradition of A. Philip Randolph, have continued to lead the fight
    against discrimination in the workplace and in society. Today the Race
    Initiative Advisory Board, meeting in Phoenix, will hear worker and
    union member testimony highlighting these efforts.
        I am very pleased that today the AFL-CIO has announced two
    initiatives to redouble its members' efforts against discrimination. I
    applaud their decision to take on this challenge by supporting these
    initiatives to help further the dialog and learning from today's Race
    Initiative Advisory Board meeting in Phoenix.
        The AFL-CIO's leadership in sponsoring workplace forums on race will
    provide additional venues for thoughtful dialog and education for
    workers, managers, and employers. I encourage members of the Advisory
    Board to participate with Board Member Linda Chavez-Thompson and the AFL-CIO in these forums.
        Additionally, the AFL-CIO's decision to produce a workplace guide to
    improve race relations will be key to moving dialog and learning into
    action. This practical step will help workers and employers throughout
    our Nation implement best practices for addressing racial issues and job
    discrimination in the workplace.
        I urge all businesses to join this effort to improve race relations
    in the workplace. It is efforts such as those announced in Phoenix today
    by Ms. Chavez-Thompson that will bring our Nation closer to one America.