CWA Helps Build Labor in States, Communities

A key part of the Ready for the Future discussions now underway across CWA is the role of the AFL-CIO state and local labor councils. CWA locals, working with other unions and community organizations, already are playing a big role — or are rebuilding local labor councils to help advance the goals of workers and communities.

In Iowa, political-legislative action is the core of labor council activities; in northern New Mexico, CWA and other public worker unions are working together to rebuild the labor council; and in South Carolina, CWA activists are focusing on community organizing and educating members about the important role they must play in the future of labor.

Jeff Crosby, president of IUE-CWA Local 81201 and a member of the AFL-CIO's central labor advisory committee, says that in contrast to 10 years ago, when the issue of the councils "wasn't even on the map," local labor movements in many areas want to work together.

"People understand that in the state of siege that we exist in now, it's not possible to win if labor activists in the same town don't know each other and don't work together."

Crosby believes that labor council work should become a regular part of CWA activity.

"We need to take that kind of activity to every district meeting, so that CWA collectively has experience, mission and its own approach to the CLCs. If we can do that, we'll have a big impact on the central labor councils, and we can be a model for other affiliates."

Rebuilding in New Mexico
Robin Gould is president of the Northern New Mexico central labor council and president of CWA Local 7076, a new local chartered in July 2005 representing state workers.

She says "we're starting from scratch again" to rebuild the labor council.

The drop off in union participation didn't have to do with the split in the AFL-CIO, she said, noting that the council has active UFCW participation and "always will." The earlier loss of collective bargaining rights for public workers was a big factor, and the council seemed to lose a clear focus on what it should be doing, she said.

Gould was just recently elected CLC president, along with a slate of new officers. The unions now are meeting for strategy sessions to focus on community events and political activities that the council can be a part of, she said.

"We were a big part of the living wage campaign in Santa Fe and that was very successful. We've also learned that Gov. Richardson will propose a bill to raise the minimum wage statewide to $7.50, and of course, we'll be very actively working to win that."

That measure also has the support of the Speaker of the House, she added.

Another big push for the labor council is the coming Santa Fe mayoral election, with union activities supporting the campaign of a former CWA officer and former labor council member.

Gould said that the council's immediate goal is to reactivate the organization and "to get it to grow again." They've also talked with Jobs with Justice to dovetail the activities of both organizations.

"We already have a grass roots organization through the living wage network and other groups that think the same way. Labor has been there as well. And we won restoration of bargaining rights for public workers. So those sides of the triangle are working well. Now we want to build the political and legislative side and be single-minded in that."

Activist President Makes All the Difference
In Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Iowa, where CWAer Steve Abbott heads the Blackhawk union council, AFL-CIO, the legislative-political side of the CWA triangle is working overtime.

Abbott said that CWA was a critical part of the CLC activity, and that every candidate wanted CWA support for door knocking, phone banking, and all the work of a tough campaign.

Many unions still don't participate in the labor council or State AFL-CIO, he said, but the issues are more urgent than ever. Abbott also works closely with the state federation — as vice president, he represents 14 labor councils — and with CWA District 7 Rep. Midge Slater.

The Iowa labor councils made a big push for Dec. 10 human rights actions, calling on elected officials on every level to support the Employee Free Choice Act. The councils also have met with state legislators, to discuss the state legislative agenda for the session beginning in January. "We are pressing for an increase in the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour and a 'fair share' law in bargaining. We also know that we have to work harder to elect our friends to office."

The council aired television commercials around the Dec. 10 events that talked about labor's goals for affordable health care, preserving Social Security and dignity on the job. "The ad gave the Blackhawk council phone number for more information, and we've already received many calls asking for help in organizing," he said.

Abbott, a past president of CWA Local 7108 and currently the local's legislative and political coordinator, relies on CWAers for lots of help. He also gets much support from Local 7170, he says. "In Iowa, we have a unique opportunity to press labor's agenda early in the political campaign season, so we're constantly talking about the issues."

Bringing Everyone to the Table In South Carolina
Donna Dewitt, a longtime CWA activist and member of Local 3719, is president of the South Carolina AFL-CIO. Her goal for the South Carolina labor movement is "to bring all of our people in, work our actions together and put on a big face for labor."

"Sometimes, our members only know about their own industries. The labor councils and joint actions provide an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the labor movement," she said.

She said the Dec. 10 actions outside the state's three Verizon Wireless call centers were very successful, with lots of participation by different unions. They were "a good start at rallying people around each other's issues. The big thing is we're making members feel that they have a role to play in the future of labor."

The state federation also is much more involved in organizing than in the past. "In the South, we have to be involved in that. We can't always get an international union to come in and help us, and sometimes people only know to call the AFL-CIO.

"I do think that coming out of CWA has helped tremendously, because CWA is great for women. It's far more progressive than most internationals and gave us the opportunity to be involved."