Public Sector Workers are Ready to Go on the Offense

At the 2019 Public Sector Conference in Memphis this week, CWAers heard from CWA President Chris Shelton and CWA Public Sector Vice President Brooks Sunkett about how public workers can fight back against vicious anti-union attacks at the state level and nationally. CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens also attended the conference.

"Powerful, reactionary forces are now targeting public sector unions as the next battleground in their class war," said Shelton. "Despite their attacks, we are growing CWA Stronger. The entire union rallied for the public sector during the Janus attack to protect our members. We have to keep our focus on moving our working family agenda forward to provide a better life for all workers. We cannot let anyone divide us using the color of our skin or the land of our forefathers. We must unite and fight for a bigger piece of the economic pie – not fight among ourselves for crumbs!"

Shelton recognized the efforts of CWAers in Texas who are organizing despite not having collective bargaining rights and who successfully stopped the anti-union effort to eliminate payroll deduction, as well as TSEU's organizing blitz during which they signed up more than 300 new members with the help of CWA Locals 1038 and 1040. Shelton also highlighted members of UPTE-CWA Local 9119 as they fight for a fair contract and build their membership; CWAers in Iowa who, because of anti-union laws, have to vote annually to retain their union; members of CWA Locals 3180, 3181, and 3170 who boosted membership in the face of anti-union attacks; United Campus Workers for growing and spreading energy throughout the South; and more.

The conference attendees also held a Fight for $15 rally at the University of Memphis to support raising the minimum wage.

At the 2019 Public Sector Conference in Memphis this week, CWAers heard from CWA President Chris Shelton and CWA Public Sector Vice President Brooks Sunkett (left) about how public workers can fight back against vicious anti-union attacks at the state level and nationally.