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Dec. 10 Events Launch Campaign for Workers' Rights
A review of news clips one week after Dec. 10 Human Rights Day and reports from locals indicate that the more than 90 actions got the attention of public officials and the media. The Dec. 10 events have laid the groundwork for the labor movement's long-term campaign to bring collective bargaining and organizing rights to all workers.
"CWA local leaders played a major role in 17 cities around the country, with more than 10,000 CWA members participating," CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen reported, adding that 300 CWA locals have committed to the national campaign.
"Our focus remains member education, coalition building with labor and community allies, and engaging elected officials at all levels to publicly support collective bargaining when we organize and when we must fight for a contract," he said.
A critical part of CWA's campaign is an ongoing membership education program for local leaders, activists and staff that spotlights the extensive assault on workers' rights in the United States.
CWA locals worked closely with coalitions comprising AFL-CIO local unions and central labor bodies, community activists and religious leaders, making a huge impact on Dec. 10.
The campaign got a media boost from the Boston Globe on Dec. 9, the day before 4,000 Boston area workers rallied. A Globe editorial described in detail union-busting in a number of industries, noted the illegality of the threats and firings used to thwart organizing campaigns, promoted the Kennedy-Miller Employee Free Choice Act and affirmed the role of the labor movement.
"Unions have a key role to play in the United States by supporting a decent wage and protecting against race- and gender-based disparities as well as pressing for safe and fair working environments. This is as true today as it was in 1948," the Globe said.
The Massachusetts State Senate overwhelmingly adopted a resolution supporting Human Rights Day and "the fundamental rights of workers to form and join unions."
CWA and other unions are continuing to urge their senators and representatives to support the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make card check recognition the law of the land, impose stiff penalties for union-busting and impose arbitration on employers who refuse to bargain first contracts. With CWA members sending requests for support to members of Congress through the union's e-activist network, the bill continues to gain sponsors. As the Newsletter went online, six senators and 34 representatives had co-sponsored the bill.
Encouraged by CWA and other unions to publicly endorse collective bargaining and organizing rights, elected officials and political candidates participated in many of the day's events. In Cleveland, for example, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), participated in a Jobs with Justice workers' rights board hearing, taking an active role in bringing to light the refusal of companies like Adelphia and others to bargain fair contracts.
Among the actions in other cities were these examples, highlighting union busting by employers where CWA is organizing or fighting for first contracts. "My co-workers and I want an opportunity to improve our lives," said Lynn Wang, a reporter and organizer at the Chinese Daily News. "I work hard every day for my employer, and Chinese Daily News should respect my right to form a union and have a voice on the job."
She was supported at the Los Angeles rally by CWA locals including 9505, 9400, 9510, 9416 and 9586. CWA-forged coalitions also turned out, including a contingent from APALA, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. Nine members of the state Assembly were also invited to speak.
Locals including 6150, 6201, 6171 and the Texas State Employees Union-CWA turned out in Dallas to support Comcast workers and were joined by Texas state AFL-CIO Human Rights Coordinator Paula Littles and several area unions.
"CWA local leaders played a major role in 17 cities around the country, with more than 10,000 CWA members participating," CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen reported, adding that 300 CWA locals have committed to the national campaign.
"Our focus remains member education, coalition building with labor and community allies, and engaging elected officials at all levels to publicly support collective bargaining when we organize and when we must fight for a contract," he said.
A critical part of CWA's campaign is an ongoing membership education program for local leaders, activists and staff that spotlights the extensive assault on workers' rights in the United States.
CWA locals worked closely with coalitions comprising AFL-CIO local unions and central labor bodies, community activists and religious leaders, making a huge impact on Dec. 10.
The campaign got a media boost from the Boston Globe on Dec. 9, the day before 4,000 Boston area workers rallied. A Globe editorial described in detail union-busting in a number of industries, noted the illegality of the threats and firings used to thwart organizing campaigns, promoted the Kennedy-Miller Employee Free Choice Act and affirmed the role of the labor movement.
"Unions have a key role to play in the United States by supporting a decent wage and protecting against race- and gender-based disparities as well as pressing for safe and fair working environments. This is as true today as it was in 1948," the Globe said.
The Massachusetts State Senate overwhelmingly adopted a resolution supporting Human Rights Day and "the fundamental rights of workers to form and join unions."
CWA and other unions are continuing to urge their senators and representatives to support the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make card check recognition the law of the land, impose stiff penalties for union-busting and impose arbitration on employers who refuse to bargain first contracts. With CWA members sending requests for support to members of Congress through the union's e-activist network, the bill continues to gain sponsors. As the Newsletter went online, six senators and 34 representatives had co-sponsored the bill.
Encouraged by CWA and other unions to publicly endorse collective bargaining and organizing rights, elected officials and political candidates participated in many of the day's events. In Cleveland, for example, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), participated in a Jobs with Justice workers' rights board hearing, taking an active role in bringing to light the refusal of companies like Adelphia and others to bargain fair contracts.
Among the actions in other cities were these examples, highlighting union busting by employers where CWA is organizing or fighting for first contracts. "My co-workers and I want an opportunity to improve our lives," said Lynn Wang, a reporter and organizer at the Chinese Daily News. "I work hard every day for my employer, and Chinese Daily News should respect my right to form a union and have a voice on the job."
She was supported at the Los Angeles rally by CWA locals including 9505, 9400, 9510, 9416 and 9586. CWA-forged coalitions also turned out, including a contingent from APALA, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. Nine members of the state Assembly were also invited to speak.
Locals including 6150, 6201, 6171 and the Texas State Employees Union-CWA turned out in Dallas to support Comcast workers and were joined by Texas state AFL-CIO Human Rights Coordinator Paula Littles and several area unions.