Setting the CWA Agenda

Organizing among health care workers, reform of commercial radio communications and support for efforts to strengthen Medicare and Social Security were among the resolutions adopted by CWA's 61st convention.

Delegates called for an all-out mobilization of members to work toward the election of Vice President Al Gore as the next president of the United States. Gore has demonstrated his support for CWA and working people in many ways, setting the example for Democratic elected officials by refusing to appear on ABC programs while NABET-CWA members were locked out; taking the lead on telecommunications and high-tech issues including training and education, and pressing corporations to comply with labor laws as a standard for federal contractors.

As part of a resolution calling for the return of democratic mass communications - "micro-radio" stations that serve thousands of communities - delegates voiced support for CWA members at radio station KPFA in Berkeley, Calif., who were locked out by station owner Pacifica Foundation and who have joined in the community's fight to keep its free speech forum.

Delegates also pledged CWA's support for local unions in organizing health care workers who face layoffs, downsizing and corporate demands to cut the time they spend providing quality patient care, and they expanded the union's participation in an international campaign to end domestic violence.

Other convention actions included:

Endorsement of Census 2000, with CWA members and retirees encouraged to actively participate to ensure that all groups are accurately counted. n Support for plans to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, programs that provide the foundation of economic security for workers and their families. Delegates supported plans to add a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program and opposed plans to privatize either Medicare or Social Security.

A call for Congress and the administration to end the discriminatory taxation of employee benefits that now affects workers who receive domestic partner benefits regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.

A campaign to help build and support independent journalists and their unions in the Balkans through training and contacts with journalists in North America.

Support for living-wage campaigns and fair share wage policies, as well as a commitment to work for an increase in the federal minimum wage to $6.15 by September 2000.

Backing the bid by the National Labor College for accreditation of its full-degree program in labor education and labor studies.