CWA Ready to Go on 2009 Legislative Agenda

With the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the critical issues for CWA members and working families – the Employee Free Choice Act, health care reform, and jobs for the 21st century – have the best chance in years to finally move forward.

In the presidential reviewing stand during the inaugural parade, CWA President Larry Cohen talked with several new Cabinet members about how to make the Employee Free Choice Act and the other important issues on CWA's agenda a reality for workers.

CWA Executive Vice President Annie Hill said the 2008 elections created a real opportunity and opened the door for CWA to achieve real gains for working families.

"Our union accomplished a tremendous amount in our political efforts and now we've seen President Obama sworn in and a new Congress getting to work. All our hard work around the election wasn't the end, but just the beginning of our effort to restore the middle class and a government that focuses on working families," she said.

"There's a lot of work to be done," Hill said.

As first priorities for the new Administration and Congress, CWA is calling for:

• Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.
• Health care reform.
• National Mediation Board appointees who will protect collective bargaining rights for airline workers.
• Legislation to create quality jobs and reform unfair trade agreements.
• Retirement security for workers through the Pension Protection Act.

As part of CWA's proposed national economic recovery plan, the buildout of high speed broadband networks and the creation of quality "green jobs" also are top priorities.

Other key issues that CWA will pursue on Capitol Hill include support for state and local government jobs and extended unemployment benefits; legislation to stop media consolidation; expansion of civil rights; improved job safety and health; and focus on work and family issues to improve members' lives.