CWA District 6 Going Member-to-Member in New Organizing Initiative

CWA activists across District 6 are leading a vigorous campaign to organize new members in the region dominated by Right-to-Work states.

Launched two months ago, the District's organizing initiative, led by local union officers, organizing committee members, activists, and district staff, depends on members talking to co-workers. "To organize the numbers of new members we need to maintain good contracts, we can't rely on the old ways of organizing," says District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn. "Sending out occasional mailings asking workers to join just doesn't cut it," he said.

"Success depends on members connecting with non-members where they work and we're making progress by talking with co-workers about the value of joining CWA," Milburn said. In internal organizing efforts, a special focus is on signing up new members at AT&T Mobility; nearly half of all Mobility workers are under age 35.

District 6 is taking full advantage of technology, like handy Flip cameras and social networking, to help get the message out. Right now, CWAers in District 6 are circulating short videos of members explaining why belonging to CWA is so important.

Click here to see members Carolyn Daily, Local 6300; Richard von Glahn, Local 6355; and Linda Talley, Local 6171.

Each week, District staff check with locals for progress reports, and once a month, local union organizing chairs and CWA staff share ideas and strategies in teleconferences.