Labor Chorus Showcases CWA Voices

Sing it loud, sing it strong, sing it union, every song. That's what more than 100 singers from six different groups did at the Great Labor Chorus Convergence, June 19, in Washington, D.C.

The event was a first, held in conjunction with the opening of the Great Labor Arts Exchange and Conference on Creative Organizing, an annual tradition by which labor singers, musicians and artists each year come together for three days of workshops, idea swaps and a final concert at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Silver Spring, Md.

At least four CWAers participated this year, including jazz, blues, folk and gospel singer Pam Parker of CWA-TNG Local 32035, a research analyst for the Bureau of National Affairs in Washington and member of the D.C. Labor Chorus. The standing room only audience at the choral convergence was moved by their rendition of "Senzenina," a South African piece lamenting racism, and "Working Class," a song about the trials and joys of working people.

Other CWA participants included D.C. Labor Chorus Director Elise Bryant of Local 32035, Melody Knight of NABET-CWA Local 59051, with the San Francisco Bay Area Labor Heritage Rockin' Solidarity Labor Chorus, and Eva Dupree and Barbara Bailey of CWA Local 1180, with the New York City Labor Chorus.

Said Parker, who has participated in the Great Labor Arts Exchange for several years, "About 80 percent of my friends I've met here - a lot of like-minded musicians and artists. I just keep coming back."

Parker's first CD, "When July Slips into June," and other labor-oriented music and art is available online at www.laborheritage.org.