The Union for the Information Age

Mobilization Committee Quarterly Report June 30, 2007

CWA Local 7800

The Mobilization Committee was last active in April, when we distributed flyers at Bell Plaza.  This was regarding the numbers the outside Techs/COTs must meet and all the rules management has set up to make it very difficult to do.  We began at 6:00 AM and it took till 9:00 AM for QWEST management to decide they wanted us to stop.  Our goal was till 9:30 AM and we had few flyers left.

Mobilization and Organizing joined their budgets together and purchased 200 Red T-shirts that have Solidarity imprinted on them.  These were given out to our new members, many of whom transferred to the Credit Management Center, from Arizona and others who never received one at last bargaining.

Mobilization participated with all other committees at our May 18th Open House.  We had about 45 members attend and we were able to share what our committees do, pass out red T-shirts and answer questions. We all had a great time, and we all enjoyed the buffet. 

Mobilization continues working on sharing information regarding a National Health Care plan with our members.  We are leaning towards HR 676, the John Conyers Bill, but continue to research any and all other possibilities.  We will be attending Michael Moore's new movie about healthcare "SICKO" and urging all of our members to do so as well.

Mobilization is a continuous process of:

        Organization

        Education

        Collective Action

At the heart of the mobilization plan is the recognition that a Union's strength is with it's members.  Contract gains are not won at the bargaining table. They are won away from the table through the visible unity and support of the membership. 

The goal of Mobilization going forward:

  • Develop a flyer to get our members to go to the CWA website for information.

  • We are looking at the cost of ordering something with our website on it; it badge holders or badge neckties.

  • Develop a list of members home e-mails to be able to share information with the members quickly and out of the sight of the management of QWEST, etc.

  • Use the website to educate our members on any number of issues, and ask for feedback from them (i.e.; what do they want taken to the bargaining table August 2008?)

  • Be able to know and discuss these issues in the workplace, when our members ask.

  • Begin to plan for bargaining 2008, develop flyers, decide what trinkets we want to order, t-shirts, actions to take, etc. 

Respectively submitted to Debbie Stevens

Linda Rieland

CWA Mobilization Chair

206 291-7451 cell,   206 220-2947 wk