CWA Local Leaders Share "Intense" MLI Experience

CWA local leaders in Washington for this year's Minority Leadership Institute.

CWA local union leaders shared experiences and built on their skills in communications, political action and more at CWA’s 2010 Minority Leadership Institute.

The diverse group, which included African-American, Asian and Latino CWAers, came from locals representing mainly telecom and IUE-CWA members.

There was a lot of focus on communications, with hands-on sessions covering public speaking, leadership and writing skills. Other sessions covered immigration, migration and the global economy, collective bargaining, the "green" economy and more.

The group also joined some neighborhood walks in Maryland to support CWA-backed candidates in the 2010 elections.

The MLI group met with some members of Congress and staff on Capitol Hill, and also with CWA officers President Larry Cohen, Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Rechenbach and Executive Vice President Annie Hill. Hill presided over the graduation ceremony.

Next for the latest MLI grads: a one week internship in their districts to work on an organizing campaign, political campaign or other event.

Participants were Rolando Scott, Local 1109; Byron "Chuck" Taylor, Local 2202; Rafael Castro Torres, Local 3010; Christine Shaw, Local 4100; Anetra Session, Local 6327; Jimmie Landa, Local 7704; Kristy Pham, local 9510; Shirley Komar, Local 13500; Carl Kennebrew, Local 84755.