CWA National Women's and Civil Rights & Equity Committee Members At 80th Convention
The National Committee on Civil Rights and Equity and the National Women’s Committee provided comprehensive reports on critical issues of concern. The Civil Rights and Equity Committee ended their presentation by asserting, “We built this, we run this, and we are taking it back!” The Women’s Committee brought the delegates to their feet, asking, “We’re fighting back, are you?” The answer was a resounding, “Yes!”
CWA Members Graduate From the Dennis Serrette Minority Leadership Institute
CWA Director of Human Rights, Education and Health and Safety Angie Wells provided opening remarks, followed by a welcome from Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague. CWA Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam, IUE-CWA Industrial Division President Carl Kennebrew, and CWA Chief of Staff Sylvia J. Ramos spoke on the importance of MLI to our union. CWA Minority Caucus President Maurice Washington grounded those gathered with a history of the Minority Caucus.
Salaam also opened a panel discussion, moderated by Angie Wells, titled “Paths, Obstacles, and Strategies for Developing Leadership.” Speakers included CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton; Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Vice President Margaret Cook; IUE-CWA President Kennebrew; Western Region At-Large Diversity Executive Board Member Keith Gibbs; and Central Region At-Large Diversity Executive Board Member Reggie Small.
Students also met with CWA President Claude Cummings Jr., who discussed the role MLI-trained leaders have played in building our union, as well as the importance of integrity, honesty, and collaboration. Congratulations, graduates!
New Resources for Locals and Activists
Gender Justice Training: This training is designed to provide CWA members with an understanding of pronoun use in the modern workplace and to build mutual respect for each other along with acknowledging and respecting each other's differences! There are four modules in this training that can be either a half day or full day class. The modules are designed to be modified for special events that have time constraints.
Building an Anti-Racist Union: This training is designed to provide CWA members with knowledge and skills to build an anti-racist union. It includes three modules. Module 1: What Does Racial Difference/Bias Look Like In Our Workplace?; Module 2: Understanding Racism and Anti-Racism; Module 3: Building an Anti-Racist Union. Included in this resource is a slide deck, an instructor’s manual, several handouts and exercises.
Environmental Justice Training: This training is designed to develop a foundational understanding of the environment, climate, and how each impacts communities and workers. It also explores various environmental injustices of both past and present that disproportionately affect marginalized communities and workers. Lastly it offers a plan of action and strategies necessary to achieve environmental justice in our union and our community.
