[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 3 (Monday, January 19, 1998)]
[Pages 62-63]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the AFL-CIO Initiative 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.

[[Page 63]]

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.