CWAers Play Big Part in Inaugural Parade

More than 260 members of CWA and other unions marched in the presidential inaugural parade alongside labor's float.

As part of the celebration of the inauguration of President Barack Obama, nearly 300 members of CWA and other unions played an official role in the presidential inaugural parade. It was the first time in inaugural history that an all-union float and contingent of marchers was part of the parade, with union members carrying a banner proudly proclaiming, "America's Workers: United for Change."

Two dozen CWA and AFA-CWA members were part of the  "American Workers Contingent," one of 100 groups, and 13,000 marchers overall, who paraded from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. The float and flags carried by union members spoke to the issues most important to working Americans and their families: an "Economy That Works for All," "Health Care for All," "Good Jobs, Green Jobs," and "Great Public Schools."  

"Despite the cold and the crush of the crowd, the camaraderie was remarkable and everyone was on such a high," said CWA Local 2106 President Paula Vinciguerra. "It was something we will likely never experience again," she said. Vinciguerra was CWA's representative on labor's float along with members of 15 other unions.

Latasha Carpenter, a member of CWA Local 2108, said she was proud to be part of event that represented such a turnabout in how workers and unions would be honored by the President of the United States. Said Carpenter, "I am thrilled to be here today. The country is coming together in a way I've never seen in my life. I'm proud that we have a president who is embracing us all today as union brothers and sisters. It is so important we stand united and strong to ensure health care, good jobs, and the Employee Free Choice Act."

Fred Mason, president of the Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO, who spearheaded the drive to include the workers' contingent in the parade, said nearly 1,500 groups applied to participate in the parade and only 100 were selected. "The fact that union members were in the parade is a testament to the importance of working people and their issues to the well-being of the country," Mason said.