Making the Case for Government: Elaine Mejia
Governing and governance in these difficult times offers significant challenges. An economic downturn of epic proportions, chronic state and local fiscal challenges and a public disconnected and disaffected from government all create major hurdles. But these are also times of opportunity. More people recognize the need for government to act, to play a protective role for those affected by the downturn and to create the foundations for a recovered economy. This heightened awareness creates an important opening to engage the public in a constructive conversation about the role and purposes of our public systems and structures. But how do we have this conversation? Public Works: the Center for the Public Sector has been working for several years to both understand public thinking about government and foster a more productive and engaged discussion about its necessary role. This session will provide an overview of their insights and recommendations, with practical applications to the challenges facing public sector workers.
Social Media & Union Mobilization: Beth Allen
Learn how to incorporate social media into your mobilization efforts and get tips from a pro on how to make your videos more effective. During the session we will also provide an overview of the online advocacy tools available to CWA locals.
A Look at Prison Privitization: Gail Tyree & Paul Ashton:
Learn how private prison companies play politics to meet their bottom line at the expense of people and communities. Also, here from an on-the-ground organizer who has had success in fighting against prison privatization in the South.
New Jersey and Strategic Organizing: Anne Luck-Deak
We will review examples of successful organizing efforts in the public sector, including thousands of in-home care providers in NJ, and discuss candidly the challenges we face in organizing and in representation after the fact. We will also spend some time discussing the use of media such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube in organizing efforts.
Coalition Building: Linda Hinton & Mackenzie Baris
Description: Learn core principles and strategies for building effective coalitions around working family issues. Workshop will share best practices and examine the fight against SB 5 in Ohio as a case study.
Re-engineering Health Care Delivery Service for Cost Savings to both Workers & Employers: Mark Blum, Dr. Jim Barr, Dr. Erika Bliss
It’s unlikely that federal or state reforms will solve the cost crisis that is being leveraged to undermine public worker compensation and job security. But real solutions are being pioneered and launched by independent physicians who are aligning directly with Labor to deliver cost-saving delivery of high quality health care to union families. In this workshop, CWA Public, Healthcare, and Education Worker leaders will discuss with national innovators in health care delivery transformation how significant reductions in health costs can be achieved, right now, without eroding care quality in states where CWA public workers live and work.
SHAR HABIBI - In the Public Interest
This workshop will explore the risks of privatizing public services. We will discuss reasons why governments consider privatization and share strategies for fighting against it, including recent research around communicating effectively against privatization.