CWA convention delegates pledged to join the growing “One Nation” movement and said they will do everything possible to make the October 2 march on Washington and other events a huge success.
One Nation, first proposed by the NAACP, has grown to include more than 170 labor, civil rights, environmental and progressive groups. “People of progressive and democratic values must reset the national political narrative and profoundly influence the national political climate. Americans need a wake-up call,” delegates said.
Locals and allies will be encouraged to participate in One Nation events, and delegates resolved to support “a core political agenda that encompasses the One Nation march theme: “Putting Americans Back to Work, Bringing America Back Together.”
AFL-CIO Council approves anti-filibuster drive, mass march Oct. 2
Frustrated with Senate Republican filibusters that stall nominations and block or kill legislation — notably the Employee Free Choice Act, the AFL-CIO Executive Council decided to educate members against the talkathons.
The fed’s statement, offered Aug. 5 by Communications Workers President Larry Cohen, chair of its legislative committee, was amended to be milder than his own union’s decision several weeks before to demand abolition of the filibuster as part of its political program this year. But Cohen told PAI the language difference doesn’t matter.
“The bigger the tent, the better,” he said. “People will work in a big coalition to change the Senate rules” that block even debate — much less votes — on key issues. That big coalition of 170 groups, including the AFL-CIO, CWA, AFT and many other unions, will mass on the Mall against filibusters and for progressive causes on Oct. 2, another council resolution said.
Other resolutions adopted:
- Building Sustainable Communities
- Support for Constituency Groups
Building sustainable communities: Delegates also voted to continue CWA’s work with the Sierra Club and other organizations, to bring one gigabyte broadband service to anchor institutions in communities throughout the United States to build and sustain economic development in rural and lower-income urban communities. This partnership also will fight for good, green jobs and sustainable communities by working for comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation.
Support for constituency groups: CWA delegates acknowledged the important role that the AFL-CIO constituency groups have in building the labor movement among diverse communities. Delegates voted to encourage locals to get involved with the groups and encourage local and members to join. The groups are: the A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and Pride at Work.