Partners: Unions, Sunflower Community Action, Interfaith Worker Justice
In Wichita, Kan., members of CWA 6402 have built a strong partnership with Sunflower Community Action, Interfaith Worker Justice, and other unions to push for economic justice and democracy in their community. Sunflower Community Action, an affiliate of National People’s Action, is a critical part of the Wichita group. The coalition is working together for immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship and is supporting T-Mobile US workers in their fight for a union voice.
Tammera Chaffee, a CWA special assignment organizer, said the group has a “long term goal to change things” in Kansas. “We started out working on workers’ rights and immigration and we’ve joined together on political action. We want to involve more members from all our organizations to help change the mindset in our state. It will take time but we’re determined to make Kansas purple,” she said.
Earlier this year activists rallied in sleet and snow outside T-Mobile US in Wichita to save 350 jobs at the call center. This past Labor Day, the coalition, including immigration reform supporters and other social justice activists joined the opening unity parade of the 45th annual Wichita Black Arts Festival, an event that promotes
African American culture and heritage.
Sulma Arias, executive director of Sunflower, said, “It’s really about working together, about saying we have a lot of differences, but if we don’t come together and move an agenda forward we’re all going to be in a lot of trouble. We hope by having a presence to be able to send the message that together, we can make a difference.”