CWA Convention Adds Voices of Local Activists to Top Leadership

In an historic action, the 2007 CWA Convention voted to expand CWA's 19-member Executive Board, establishing four at-large diversity seats that give a greater voice to local leaders.

This action strengthens the foundation of CWA and ensures that leadership reflects the diversity, experiences and strengths of the full range of CWA's membership.

Convention delegates established four at-large diversity Board member seats representing four geographic areas of the union, with the goal of having at least three be people of color and at least two women. At-large diversity Board members will have a full voice and vote on all Executive Board deliberations.

"This is not about being politically correct, it's about doing the right thing, and that is to elect local leaders to our Executive Board and to reflect the makeup of our union membership so that our unity is stronger among all our members," said CWA President Larry Cohen.

"Bringing the perspective and ideas of local leaders and activists to the top ranks of the union's leadership can only make us stronger and wiser and better equipped to take on the tough challenges facing our movement in the 21st century," Cohen said. 

"The fight for equity and justice is what organized labor is all about, and CWA has always been on the forefront of positive change," said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Barbara J. Easterling. "This diversity plan ensures that all will have a strong voice in the workplace, in society and in our union," she said. "It's the right thing to do, the smart thing to do, the only thing to do," she said.

This action was a key component of CWA's Ready for the Future plan, adopted last year to strengthen CWA's grassroots activist base and develop strategic initiatives to take on critical issues in CWA industries and in public policy.  

CWA Secretary-Treasurer Easterling headed a committee of local and national elected officers that over the past year explored ways to increase Executive Board diversity. The committee mailed surveys to solicit and incorporate suggestions from locals, held regional meetings and met with local unions to exchange ideas on building diversity and determine how best to move forward. The committee proposal was posted on the union's website, with members posting comments, discussing the proposal and offering recommendations.

The CWA Executive Board initially will appoint four members to the at-large diversity seats; those appointments will come from nominations made by the Committee on Equity, the National Women's Committee and the CWA Minority Caucus. Nominations will be made by September 1, 2007. At-large diversity Board members will be elected to three-year terms at the 2008 Convention.