CWA District 3 Members Build Power at Annual Meeting

CWAers from across District 3 gathered for their annual meeting this week, held for the first time in person since the pandemic.

Hundreds of members gathered in Biloxi, Miss., to participate in workshops and committee meetings and hear from union leaders and guest speakers, including CWA President Chris Shelton. Speaking to the crowd, Shelton highlighted the members’ achievements and applauded their engagement on all three sides of the CWA Triangle. He also detailed why the fight for our future and democracy is not a partisan fight, but a fight for all working people. “Our job is to represent our members. Every day, you are out there bargaining and enforcing our contracts. It’s hard work that is made even harder because corporations and the politicians they have controlled for over 40 years - yes, including some Democrats - have gutted our labor laws. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn the tables on them. But let me assure you, if Mitch McConnell gets control of the Senate back and Democrats lose control of the House, that opportunity will be gone,” said Shelton.

Throughout his remarks Shelton stressed the need for all CWA members to mobilize to build support for endorsed candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. “From now 'til election day, each and every one of you should be mobilizing, phone banking, door-knocking, and canvassing to build support for these candidates who will protect what we have gained and further advance our agenda,” added Shelton.

“Our CWA organizing program is on fire,” said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens, who also attended the meeting and touted the various organizing victories in District 3 and elsewhere. “Right now, all over our country, workers are losing their fear, claiming their power, and writing a new future for our labor movement,” she added. She also took the opportunity to encourage everyone to remain hopeful despite the hardships of the last few years and keep fighting for change. “Every single time someone goes down the path of leaving behind their fear, and standing in their power, we grow a little closer to the world we are trying to build. We have been through so much, and finally the sun is rising. Workers are stepping into the sunshine. Let’s make the most of this moment we have fought for and dreamed of,” said Steffens.

"Our Solidarity is the heart of our movement and there is no shortage of it in our District and our union. Once a year, we come together from all over the District to strategize, learn, celebrate each other’s hard fought victories, strengthen existing relationships, and build new ones. Our members have stood tall through all the challenges thrown at them in the last few years. By drawing on the energy and support they gain from each other, they will continue to fight to build on what we’ve accomplished and secure a better future,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt.

Conference participants also heard from CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings Jr., CWA Public, Healthcare and Education Sector Vice President Margaret Cook, and other guest speakers.