'It's Not Hopeless, Just Hard, and We've Done Hard Before'

Some highlights of President Larry Cohen's remarks to convention delegates:

Watch Cohen's full address here, including the remarks by Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter who with CWA members' support nearly defeated incumbent Senator Blanche Lincoln.

"CWAers and working families are living through some tough times. But we need to keep our eyes on the prize, hold on to our values, our union and our movement at a critical and difficult time. It's not hopeless, just hard. And we've done hard before.

"New coalition action is critical to rebuilding our movement. With 7 percent bargaining coverage in the private sector, labor alone cannot move our agenda. Fortunately, others pushing for change realize they need partners as well. Civil rights, environmental groups, community organizations, immigrant rights groups, more than 170 groups in all, are working together under the banner of "One Nation" and our Board has endorsed and joined along with the AFL-CIO.

"Our strategy of independent political action also means that we develop new allies. In addition to 'One Nation' and NAACP, we are working with the Sierra Club to bring one gigabit Internet connections to rural town and their anchor institutions - schools, hospitals and libraries. We need a combination of public and private sector investment so our members can build, maintain and support the networks of the 21st century.

"We're asking this convention to send a clear signal to the U.S. Senate - stand with us for democracy and workers' rights and we will stand with you. But if you run for office defending these rules, we will not work for you and we will look for candidates who will work with us.

"And we're moving to build a strong coalition with all these partners and key elected officials to change the archaic Senate rules. The threat of a filibuster keeps blocking majority action on everything. A simple majority of the Senate next January can adopt democratic rules where, after reasonable debate, a majority can act on nominations and on legislation including our priority issues. This is not a revolution, this is just basic fairness and democracy and it is within reach."

"It's not hopeless, just hard, and we've done hard before."