Rallying for Reform

	Pictured, clockwise from top left: CWAers rally for reform in Washington, D.C.; Local 2222's Firebaugh hands out literature in Reston, Va.; and Local 81201 members turn out in Boston.

CWA members across the country turned out for health care town hall meetings over the August congressional recess to calmly counter the angry anti-reform activists, many of whom came from outside the communities to disrupt events. "We were a democracy squad," IUE-CWA Local 81201 Executive Vice President Alex Brown said after a meeting with Rep. Niki Tsongas in Massachusetts. "It was exhausting, but our people were proud." In Virginia, members of Local 2222 served as marshals for a meeting with Rep. Jim Moran and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. Despite the noise from protesters, "It was 80 percent to 20 percent, in favor of people who support reform," said Local 2222 member Tim Firebaugh. Nationwide, CWAers were among more than 18,000 union members attending more than 400 health care events in August. CWA members and retirees also have been writing thousands of letters and making thousands of phone calls to lawmakers, particular senators who are taking up critical reform issues, like taxing health care.