CWA Members Make Sure Their Representatives Get the Message
04/14/09
CWA members have continued to keep the pressure on for the Employee Free Choice Act during the April Congressional recess. From deliveries of Million Member Mobilization cards to marches, rallies and meetings with Senators, CWA has anchored or participated in events in over a dozen key states.
The April recess coincided with the expiration of the CWA/AT&T contract, but Local 3108 in Orlando Florida was ready to act on both issues. With the assistance of the CWA Employee Free Choice Act Field Activist Joy Edery and Local President Dave Skinner, over 100 Local 3108 members wrote letters thanking Senator Bill Nelson for co-sponsoring the Employee Free Choice Act. Then, 25 members from CWA, other unions, and members of the Democratic Party continued the campaign by hosting a 2-day event to thank Senator Nelson and deliver thousands of Million Member Mobilization cards and handwritten letters. After the AT&T contract expired, President Skinner kept members up to date during a strike watch party and encouraged more activity in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.
In Pennsylvania, CWA members participated in events across 7 cities. Last week, a mobile billboard featring Local 13000 member John Pezzana circled the Comcast headquarters during a rally in Philadelphia. John spoke at that rally and the mobile billboard traveled onto Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, and the Lehigh Valley. Just today, over 500 people marched through Pittsburgh to demand that Senator Arlen Specter change his position and support the Employee Free Choice Act. Steelworkers’ President Leo Gerard addressed the group, as did District 13 Administrative Director Marge Krueger.
In North Carolina, Coordinator Bill Burton from Local 3611 organized a meeting with Senator Kay Hagen to thank her for her support of the Employee Free Choice Act, and to talk about why this legislation is so critical for working men and women. Curtis Shew, President of Local 3601 shared his experience with cable tv workers being fired after approaching CWA to help them organize. During the meeting Senator Hagen received a CWA lobby packet with 50 letters from members as well as a large box of signed Million Member Mobilization cards.
Other great work around the country included:
- California: Workers marched in Los Angeles to encourage Senator Feinstein to support the Employee Free Choice Act.
- Louisiana: CWA members organized a letter-writing luncheon to generate more handwritten notes to Senator Landrieu.
- Colorado: CWA members partnered with other groups to hold over 20 events around the state—such as editorial board meetings and workplace leafleting.
- Arkansas: CWA members organized a key face-to-face meeting with Senator Lincoln and delivered Million Member Mobilization cards.
- Virginia: CWA members countered the rallies in Richmond and Roanoke by the anti-worker Chamber of Commerce and various front groups.