May '08 President's Report

The Union for the Information Age

May 2008 President's Report to the
Executive Board and Membership
Submitted by Malachy Sreenan

The CWA District 7 Meeting was held in Layton, Utah Sunday May 4^th through Wednesday May 7^th. The meeting included an address from CWA President, Larry Cohen, in addition to workshops and seminars on a variety of topics encompassing all sides of the CWA Triangle: representation, organizing and community/political action. Discussion topics included motivating members to become active, and reports from the District 7 Women’s, Equity, and Retired Members Committees.

The CWA District 7 meeting also included a Qwest Bargaining Unit caucus, during which there was discussion around upcoming contract negotiations and the latest issues around mobilization activities. The CWA Qwest Bargaining Council adopted the 15 proposals recommended by the bargaining committee and agreed that monies gained at the table would mainly be reserved for two things: a decent across the board wage increase and an offset to the cost of healthcare for active employees. Formal bargaining with Qwest will begin on July 8^th, 2008. In the meantime, our Strike Preparation and Mobilization Committees have been hard at work making sure that we are prepared for the negotiations and any possible work stoppage. This is a good time to get more involved. It is important to realize that the true power of a union lies not with the elected bargaining committee, but with the rank and file membership on the front lines. If you are interested in volunteering for either of these committees, please contact your local steward or any officer at the union hall @ (206) 441-7800.

There should be no doubt that we are in for the fight of our lives this summer. Qwest has made it abundantly clear that they will try to shift the burden and the expense of healthcare onto the occupational employees and retirees. Traditionally, there has always been a certain amount of animosity in bargaining years; this year, however, Qwest seems intent on making it personal. Qwest has, and continues to set a negative and hostile tone for the upcoming negotiations, most notably by trying to curtail CWA mobilization activities. With the recent firings of nine members in Sioux City, South Dakota, over what can best be described as a trivial alleged infraction of the mobilization agreement, and the subsequent arbitration, Qwest is trying to silence its employees and prevent CWA members from engaging in protected concerted activities. At issue is whether CWA members can mobilize around issues in view of and/or directly to Qwest customers and the public. It is pretty sad that we work for a company which goes to such great lengths, including, but not limited to lawsuits, terminations, fear and intimidation, to ensure that the public remains unaware of how badly it treats its greatest asset, its employees.

As we approach bargaining, Qwest’s treatment of its employees will be CWA’s greatest mobilizing tool. Qwest’s overreaction and heavy-handed approach to the issues in South Dakota will be the impetus needed to mobilize membership and create solidarity throughout the fourteen states in the lead up to bargaining. There is a tremendous amount of support for the nine members in question, undoubtedly fueled by the belief that an injustice to one is an injustice to all, and the fear about who may be next.

In addition to getting our members mobilized for negotiations this summer, a group of retirees have been working diligently towards getting retirees active, mobilized and educated about the issues and what is at stake. Thanks to the hard work of three former Local 7800 activists, Linda Rieland, Barbara Walker and Joe Burke, we held our first CWA Local 7800 retiree meeting on April 30^th, 2008. Interest in the meeting exceeded our expectations, with over forty retirees in attendance. CWA District 7 Retiree Members’ Council President, Lorraine Miller, flew in for the day to talk with the group and explain the importance of having active retiree chapters in every CWA Local. With retiree healthcare undoubtedly going to be one of the major obstacles in reaching agreement with Qwest this summer, it is more important than ever that our retirees are visible, vocal and active throughout contract negotiations. The next retiree meeting is scheduled for Tuesday May 13^th, 2008, at which time officers will be selected and attendees will work on By-Laws and upcoming activities.

In what will be a very busy year, we must also maintain focus on the upcoming elections this November. After 8 years of attacks on working families, and assaults on union members and collective bargaining it is more important than ever to revitalize the labor movement and shift the national focus back to issues that benefit working families. To that end, CWA and 35 other Unions are committed to collecting one million pledges (postcards) in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. Please take the time to fill out a postcard and return it to the Local or give it to any Steward

In addition, Saturday May 17^th is the kick-off of the National AFL-CIO 2008 Labor Neighbor Campaign. The first walk in Washington State will take place on Saturday May 17^th at the Machinists 751 Hall, 9125 15^th Place S. Please plan to attend; your help will be needed over the coming months to help organize and participate in phone-banking and walks to help elect representatives that commit to advancing working families issues, such as healthcare, and retirement and employment security.