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Dec 10 Events Will Shine Light on Workers' Rights
CWA locals across the country will lead or take part in dozens of events the week of Dec. 10 to help the public understand that workers' rights - the right to organize, bargain a contract and have a voice at work - are human rights.
"In the very country considered the world's greatest democracy these rights are being violated and eroded every day," CWA President Larry Cohen said. "Many less developed countries have stronger workers' rights laws and stronger enforcement of them. Americans need to know that, and we're going to tell them on International Human Rights Day, December 10."
The AFL-CIO is coordinating activities and has a list of about 70 locations so far where union locals are planning events either on Dec. 10 or during the week leading to it. CWA is taking the lead in cities that include Atlanta, Denver, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Austin, Phoenix and New Jersey and South Carolina locations. Members are urged to turn out in all cities where union locals and coalitions of labor, religious and social activists are holding events.
Information about events will be posted on the CWA and AFL-CIO web sites and will be included in CWA newsletters and other e-mails. The CWA Communications Department is helping with media coordination to encourage newspaper, TV and radio coverage. Locals that need help are urged to contact the office at (202) 434-1168. Ask for Candice Johnson or Janelle Hartman.
Although plans are still being nailed down, ideas include an event with kids and daycare workers being organized by Local 1037 in Newark, N.J., that will feature an obstacle course dubbed "obstacles to organizing." A mock captive audience meeting in front of reporters is planned in Denver. In Atlanta, plans call for Cingular workers to talk about the good relationship between CWA and the company, in contrast to the ongoing battle to organize Verizon Wireless.
The top 10 CWA event sites will receive a life-size cardboard cutout of Eleanor Roosevelt, with which members can pose for pictures. A union and civil rights supporter, Roosevelt pushed the United Nations to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. CWA is honoring her for her efforts during this year's Dec. 10 activities.
In remarks to the UN in 1953, Roosevelt said, "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home... the factory, farm or office where he works... unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere."
More news about Dec. 10 and other quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt are featured in the latest issue of the CWA News, which will be in the mail next week.
"In the very country considered the world's greatest democracy these rights are being violated and eroded every day," CWA President Larry Cohen said. "Many less developed countries have stronger workers' rights laws and stronger enforcement of them. Americans need to know that, and we're going to tell them on International Human Rights Day, December 10."
The AFL-CIO is coordinating activities and has a list of about 70 locations so far where union locals are planning events either on Dec. 10 or during the week leading to it. CWA is taking the lead in cities that include Atlanta, Denver, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Austin, Phoenix and New Jersey and South Carolina locations. Members are urged to turn out in all cities where union locals and coalitions of labor, religious and social activists are holding events.
Information about events will be posted on the CWA and AFL-CIO web sites and will be included in CWA newsletters and other e-mails. The CWA Communications Department is helping with media coordination to encourage newspaper, TV and radio coverage. Locals that need help are urged to contact the office at (202) 434-1168. Ask for Candice Johnson or Janelle Hartman.
Although plans are still being nailed down, ideas include an event with kids and daycare workers being organized by Local 1037 in Newark, N.J., that will feature an obstacle course dubbed "obstacles to organizing." A mock captive audience meeting in front of reporters is planned in Denver. In Atlanta, plans call for Cingular workers to talk about the good relationship between CWA and the company, in contrast to the ongoing battle to organize Verizon Wireless.
The top 10 CWA event sites will receive a life-size cardboard cutout of Eleanor Roosevelt, with which members can pose for pictures. A union and civil rights supporter, Roosevelt pushed the United Nations to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. CWA is honoring her for her efforts during this year's Dec. 10 activities.
In remarks to the UN in 1953, Roosevelt said, "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home... the factory, farm or office where he works... unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere."
More news about Dec. 10 and other quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt are featured in the latest issue of the CWA News, which will be in the mail next week.