CWA Activists' Unprecedented Efforts to Defeat Fast Track, TPP

CWA Activists joined with labor allies, environmentalists, and grassroots activists across the country in continuing to hold lawmakers accountable for their positions on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Lawmakers who are opposing Fast Track continue to face pressure to cave in to the demands of Big Business. CWAers are both pressuring lawmakers who are on the fence to oppose Fast Track and pressuring those supporting Fast Track to change their mind.

Along with rallies, town hall meetings and countless meetings with and phone calls to their members of Congress, CWAers and coalition allies have also written letters and prevailed on others to do the same. The letters collected for delivery to members of Congress, 14,500 in all, is the largest haul of letters that CWA has ever collected on any given campaign and it is hallmark of the conviction and the hard work of our activists on this most important of all issues.

And they have not stopped.

They are still rallying, holding meetings and sit-ins in offices and calling and writing letters to their representatives to tell them to do the right thing and reject Fast Track.

Rep. Evan Jenkins Receives a Delegation

Last week, Rep. Evan Jenkins (D-WV 3rd District) came out to acknowledge requests from activists that he stand up for good jobs in West Virginia by rejecting Fast Track for the TPP. The delegation included the Rev. Dennis Ashworth, former WVEA Teacher and Retired FOP, IUE/CWA Local 821670 President Danny Sallie; retired USW and ARA member Bob Adkins; Tim Milne, President Southwestern District Labor Council; IBEW #317 Retiree and ARA member Jerry Booth; West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue; CWA LPAT Coordinator and CWA Local 2001 Secretary-Treasurer Robin Young; Rep. Evan Jenkins; CWA International Representative Elaine Harris; and Elson Garrett, IBEW #317 Retiree and ARA member.

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Sen. Manchin Praises CWA for Leading Fight against Fast Track, TPP

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) came to Steel of West Virginia, Inc., on Friday to show his opposition to Fast Track and the TPP, and his support for workers at the plant, who could be greatly affected by the proposed trade agreement. Manchin was joined by Steel of West Virginia CEO Tim Duke, CWAers, United Steelworkers members and other allies. Manchin praised CWA and USW for being out front on this issue.

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IUE-CWA Political Action Training Focus on TPP

Members of IUE-CWA met in Dayton, Ohio, on Monday and Tuesday to develop union members' political leadership skills. Among the topics covered included the campaign to fight the TPP and their union's use of handwritten letters as part of a legislative campaign.

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Colorado CWAers Join Sit-In at Jared Polis's Office

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO 2nd District) continues to hear from CWAers and other activists about his support for Fast Track. Activists sat in his office waiting to be heard this week, but Polis seems have wax in his ears when it comes to listening to his constituents on trade.

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Massachusetts IUE Members Push Against Fast Track

IUE-CWA 81201 organized outside Rep. Seth Moulton's (D-MA 6th District) office on May 8th as part of a number of much larger actions.

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Message Sen. Diane Feinstein: Clean out your ears and listen to us!

A labor delegation including CWA, UFCW, NALC and Machinists visited the office of Senator Diane Feinstein in Fresno, CA, to deliver giant Q-tips and a message: Vote No on Fast Track and the TPP! The delegation spoke with the senator's staff and demanded the Senator vote No on Fast Track. The group then marched to the office of Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA 20th District), where they also demanded he listen to his constituents and vote No when the bill lands in the House.

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Kudos for Rep. Norma Torres for Opposing Fast Track

United Steelworkers, IATSE and CWA activists thank Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA 35th District) for opposing Fast Track.

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Secretary Clinton, Take a Stand on Fast Track

Americans for Democratic Action Iowa and CWA members hold an anti-Fast Track press conference outside a Hillary Clinton campaign event in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

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A Hundred Voters Tell Ohio's Mike Turner, Vote No on Fast Track

More than 100 activists urge Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH 10th District) to vote No on Fast Track for the TPP. 

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CWAers Urge Rep. Sinema to Stick to Her Commitment to Oppose Fast Track

The Arizona Republic interviewed CWA Local 7019 Exec. Vice President Paul Castaneda as CWAers rallied outside the office of Rep. Krysten Sinema (D-AZ 15th District) to get her to stick to the commitment she made last year to oppose Fast Track. Rep. Sinema seemed to backtrack last week when she said she'll have to look at the eventual bill.

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Meanwhile, in Hollywood...

Hollywood, FL, joined the ranks of municipalities and other entities passing resolutions against Fast Track and the TPP. In Florida alone, the city will join South Miami, Hialeah Gardens, Hallandale beach and Glen Haven in approving resolutions.