Congressional Black Caucus Institute 21st Century Council Convenes 2011 Annual Meeting

CBC Policy Think Tank Focuses on Telecommunications, Healthcare, Energy and Education

Communications Workers of America, Washington, DC-- On February 24^th, the Congressional Black Caucus Institute (CBCI) 21^st Century Council (Council) commenced two days of meetings in South Carolina launching its fourth year of policy discussions and debate. The Council, a Congressional Black Caucus Institute policy think tank, focuses on providing qualified analysis and recommendations to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Information from policy discussions generated from these talks is formalized in an annual report. That report is used as a resource to help guide the CBC and its members through a maze of public policy issues. Council meetings occur over a period of two days with a focus on Telecommunications/Technology, Healthcare, Financial Services, Education, Climate Change/Environment/Energy, Transportation/Infrastructure, and National Security.

The principal purpose of the February, 2011 meeting was to finalize the 2011 Annual Report and to defend various components of that report. This is accomplished through a series of round table discussions pertaining to each of the above mentioned issue categories. Once the annual report final printing is complete, it is distributed widely throughout the CBC, Congress (House and Senate Members and staff) and is also delivered to White House policy officials for their consideration in discussions with President Obama.

This weekend’s Telecommunications/Technology session took place Saturday morning February 26^th. It was moderated by House Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn and CBCI Board member and 21^st Century Council Chairman Art Collins. This year, Alfonso Pollard, CWA’s Director of Politics and Human Rights interacted at the policy discussion table with Verizon Wireless represented by Mr. Howard Woolley, Comcast represented by Mr. Earle Jones, and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association represented by Ms. Wanda Townsend. The discussion centered on broadband internet access. There was also a targeted discussion about jobs offered by Pollard who serves as a CBCI 21^st Century Council vice chair. Each discussion leader made opening remarks and then entertained questions from an extended council audience of about 40 members. The issue of access took center stage. It was agreed that access was critical to help drive education and move more people in diverse communities onto the internet while helping them share in the economic and educational benefits offered on the internet.

More importantly, the CBCI 21^st Century Council 2011 Report underscores the importance of access clearly by stating:

“Those left behind are mostly low-income, minorities- primarily African Americans, Latinos, seniors, Native Americans and people with disabilities. Barriers that block their access include affordability, a belief that the service isn’t relevant and the lack of digital skills. As the digital age continues to transform our world, these already vulnerable populations face a greater risk of being left behind.”

House Assistant Minority Leader Clyburn challenged each discussion leader on this panel to help CBC members move more resources into their communities, resources that would make it easier for their constituents to build economic security in their lives through increased interaction with and use of the internet.

The meeting was also marked during the education debate by a brief discussion of teacher unions and teaching standards. Pollard, who professed not to speak directly for the American Federations of Teachers or for the National Education Association for that matter, buttressed labor’s argument in support of collective bargaining by providing detailed insight into the organizing and contract negotiation process. Simply stated, there are many barriers to sustaining a successful school environment. Those who may differ about how to deal with any matter covered by a collective bargaining agreement including longevity or tenure should work those grievances out over the daily course of events with the shop steward or with the local union. These issues can also be addressed by bringing them to the table during contract negotiations.

The Madison Wisconsin labor protests were also raised. Though the Congressional Black Caucus has not issued a formal statement about the fight in Wisconsin, CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver expressed his concerns about Governor Scott Walker’s intentions on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday February 27^th (excerpt linked). Chairman Cleaver said he believes that the actions by the Wisconsin Governor were clearly designed to “crush the unions”. The CBC Chair pointed out that “these agreements were negotiated with the people who sat down in a room and worked out an agreement”.

Regardless, destroying collective bargaining is not the answer. During the CBCI luncheon meeting in South Carolina on Saturday just prior to his Meet the Press roundtable discussion the following day, Chairman Cleaver addressed a packed room. He expressed the need for all parties to respect the right to collectively bargain and once a contract is struck, encourages all parties to honor that agreement.

The CBCI 21^st Century Council will hold two additional meetings this year in Washington DC. In 2010, CWA in cooperation with the 21^st Century Council hosted a Capitol Hill Forum entitled, “High Speed Broadband for All” that included leading Administration officials along with other recognized leaders in the field. This year, that benchmark is expected to serve as the basis for a second Capitol Hill broadband forum to address new developments that have occurred since the 2010 session.

Our work with the 21^st Century Council has put CWA squarely at the table with Members of the Congressional Black Caucus. These extended meeting opportunities allow for frank discussion with members on all of the policy issues we face. Participation in the Council also allows CWA to have policy debates and interaction with others in the telecommunications industry that may or may not have opposing views.

For more information, please contact Alfonso M. Pollard, CWA Director of Politics and Human Rights at apollard@cwa-union.org or on 202-434-1315.