Election 2008, New Opportunities on Executive Board Agenda

CWA's Executive Board met Nov. 6-7 to review CWA's Election 2008 program, assess some of the union's internal issues and look ahead to new opportunities.

CWA's very successful political program laid the groundwork to build and expand a movement for real change and a new direction for the nation, the Executive Board stressed. The Alliance of  CWA, the Steelworkers, Auto Workers and Professional and Technical Engineers was an important partnership in these political efforts.

Among the highlights of CWA's program: more than 10,000 CWA member volunteers talked to co-workers and leafleted worksites, joined phone banks and participated in labor walks and rallies. During the week of action in October, volunteers covered more than 1,500 worksites.

CWA members in battleground states received at least 4 or more mailings on the candidates and the issues.

The Board reaffirmed that CWA's top priority is passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. It noted that the opposition – the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its front groups -- already had spent more than $20 million in television advertising and state campaigns to defeat this legislation, and that CWA and union partners had to be ready to beat back this challenge with aggressive worker tactics across the country, CWA activists in key states and massive worker mobilizations not seen in the United States since the 1930s and 1940s.

The Board also reviewed CWA's efforts to push forward an economic recovery plan built on creating 21st century and "green" jobs, restoring bargaining rights through Employee Free Choice and reforming health care in a way that ensures coverage for all Americans but ends the current system's "tax" on jobs.

CWA is working with congressional supporters who are signing on to this plan, and is building a coalition of other unions, civil rights and community groups, faith-based and student organizations and others who believe that job creation and support for working and middle income families must come before any other Wall Street bailout or support for companies that continue to outsource jobs overseas.

The Executive Board reviewed a financial risk analysis of CWA employers in every sector and stressed that the union will safeguard members, especially when employers file for bankruptcy protection and threaten workers' retirement and health care security. The Board will continue to monitor and watch distressed employers.