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Plunging Into Politics: More CWAers Taking on Public Office
In March, the CWA News featured eight members running for or holding public office. This month, we’re spotlighting four more, including a member’s wife with deep union roots. Our members are heeding the AFL-CIO’s call for “2000 in 2000,” a campaign to recruit at least 2,000 union members to run for office this year. As space permits in future issues, we’ll feature other CWA candidates and officeholders. If you’re one of them, contact writer Janelle Hartman at 202-434-1162 or by e-mail at jhartman@cwa-union.org. Or write us at CWA News, 501 Third St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.
John Worley, Local 6186
Texas State Employees Union
Job: Lawyer in the Texas attorney general’s office
Political office: Austin Community College Board of Trustees since 1994. Running for re-election.
Goals: Help exploited part-time faculty by improving job security, health benefits and pay. Considerable progress has been made in his six years on the board, and he is running again to help ensure that the new policies continue.
“I would encourage other union members to run for office to bring the labor perspective and labor issues to the table in governing bodies across America. The business perspective, it seems, is always represented, but the labor perspective is all too frequently missing. Labor issues will not be discussed until union members are sitting on the boards, councils and commissions that discuss and decide the public’s business.”
Connie Smith
Past President, Local 4108
Job: Retired operator, Ameritech
Political office: Saginaw County, Mich., Board of Commissioners since January 1999.
Goals in office:
To maintain the stability and civility of the board, make decisions that are morally responsible as well as financially sound and be responsive to both employees and
citizens.
“I was interested and active in politics even before I was an officer in CWA, but that drastically accelerated my interest. Everything that we do as union members can be helped or hindered in the legislative process — in city hall, in the county commission, in the state legislature and in Congress. I worked on campaigns and did what I could to get people elected who would be advocates for our issues. To not be involved, I think, is missing the boat.”
Julio Robaina,
Local 3122
Job: Service technician, Bell South
Political office: Mayor of South Miami, Fla., since 1998, previously on City Commission.
Goals in office:
To continue programs that have led to major new business development, lower property taxes, less crime and special events, including a Hispanic Heritage Festival.
“People like to know that their elected officials are working-class citizens who understand real needs, who have the same everyday problems as everyone else. As union members, we have the tools and the background to be anything we want to be in our communities. And we have the union supporting us. It’s such a nice feeling to go to a meeting at a union hall and be introduced as a member, and as a mayor. The response is incredible.”
Diane Roffey,
wife of Dennis Roffey, Local 6201
Job: Commercial property appraiser, Tarrant County, Texas
Running For: Tarrant County tax assessor.
Goals: To bring credibility and experience to an office that presently doesn’t have a certified tax assessor, to treat taxpayers with fairness and equality and to be a “courteous and willing” provider of information to taxpayers.
“My dad and grandfather were lifelong union members. My upbringing taught me the value of a strong work ethic, honesty, integrity, fairness and the ideal of working collectively for the good of the majority. So much of who I am, the ideals I live by, campaign by and will practice as a public officeholder stem from my union roots. Unions promote equality. Toward that end we need more skilled union members — and more women — to run for office.”
John Worley, Local 6186
Texas State Employees Union
Job: Lawyer in the Texas attorney general’s office
Political office: Austin Community College Board of Trustees since 1994. Running for re-election.
Goals: Help exploited part-time faculty by improving job security, health benefits and pay. Considerable progress has been made in his six years on the board, and he is running again to help ensure that the new policies continue.
“I would encourage other union members to run for office to bring the labor perspective and labor issues to the table in governing bodies across America. The business perspective, it seems, is always represented, but the labor perspective is all too frequently missing. Labor issues will not be discussed until union members are sitting on the boards, councils and commissions that discuss and decide the public’s business.”
Connie Smith
Past President, Local 4108
Job: Retired operator, Ameritech
Political office: Saginaw County, Mich., Board of Commissioners since January 1999.
Goals in office:
To maintain the stability and civility of the board, make decisions that are morally responsible as well as financially sound and be responsive to both employees and
citizens.
“I was interested and active in politics even before I was an officer in CWA, but that drastically accelerated my interest. Everything that we do as union members can be helped or hindered in the legislative process — in city hall, in the county commission, in the state legislature and in Congress. I worked on campaigns and did what I could to get people elected who would be advocates for our issues. To not be involved, I think, is missing the boat.”
Julio Robaina,
Local 3122
Job: Service technician, Bell South
Political office: Mayor of South Miami, Fla., since 1998, previously on City Commission.
Goals in office:
To continue programs that have led to major new business development, lower property taxes, less crime and special events, including a Hispanic Heritage Festival.
“People like to know that their elected officials are working-class citizens who understand real needs, who have the same everyday problems as everyone else. As union members, we have the tools and the background to be anything we want to be in our communities. And we have the union supporting us. It’s such a nice feeling to go to a meeting at a union hall and be introduced as a member, and as a mayor. The response is incredible.”
Diane Roffey,
wife of Dennis Roffey, Local 6201
Job: Commercial property appraiser, Tarrant County, Texas
Running For: Tarrant County tax assessor.
Goals: To bring credibility and experience to an office that presently doesn’t have a certified tax assessor, to treat taxpayers with fairness and equality and to be a “courteous and willing” provider of information to taxpayers.
“My dad and grandfather were lifelong union members. My upbringing taught me the value of a strong work ethic, honesty, integrity, fairness and the ideal of working collectively for the good of the majority. So much of who I am, the ideals I live by, campaign by and will practice as a public officeholder stem from my union roots. Unions promote equality. Toward that end we need more skilled union members — and more women — to run for office.”