Short-Term Funding Resolution Aims to Strengthen Locals, National

To strengthen CWA in a tough economy that has cost jobs and members, convention delegates on Tuesday adopted a resolution to redistribute, for two years, part of the income generated by the union's Strategic Industry Fund.

The goal is to ensure that locals and headquarters have the resources needed in today's brutal battles for bargaining rights and fair contracts. "This action will provide CWA with some breathing space to fight the attacks on collective bargaining and develop longer-term solutions," the resolution states.

Specifically, local unions will receive $20 per member who contributes to the Members' Relief Fund for the fiscal years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 to help them maintain and build power. An equal amount of the redistributed SIF funds would go to the international union to support programs and services that are vital to helping locals and members.

The distribution, providing about $6 million annually for both locals and the international based on current SIF income, would leave an estimated $10 million each year for new strategic campaigns.

Under an amendment to the resolution proposed and approved by delegates, CWA will have a discussion at the 2012 local presidents' meeting about strategy for building the union while restoring its financial footing.