Worker Power Update

CWAers Spotlight Workforce Training at NCSL Legislative Summit

Rep. Lieder demonstrates safety procedures during an exhibition for state legislators led by CWA members.

The National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Legislative Summit brought together thousands of state legislators and legislative staff last weekend and gave elected representatives the opportunity to learn from CWA members who are training the next generation of technicians and network specialists through a workforce development program sponsored by AT&T and Corning Inc.

CWA members demonstrated the value of good, union jobs that enable workers to build decades-long careers and a high level of expertise in their profession. These union instructors are part of a program that aims to train 50,000 American workers over the next five years and equip them with the skills critical to designing, installing, and maintaining a growing fiber broadband network across the United States.

CWA members were represented among the legislators as well. Delegate Linda Foley (D-Md.) and Representative Sheila Lieder (D-Colo.) were both elected to public office after careers as CWA members and officers. Rep. Lieder is a 42-year CWA member and former central office electronic technician. She shared her support for high labor standards for BEAD funding with CWA members and took a turn demonstrating proper safety procedures.

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Maximus Workers Build Power at NBCSL Mississippi Policy Conference

CWA Legislative Campaign Lead Tysianna Marino confers with Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) during the NBCSL Mississippi Policy Conference.

Workers organizing with CWA at federal contractor Maximus joined CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Mississippi Policy Conference last week.

The workers elevated the issues motivating the union campaign at Maximus for Members of Congress and relevant Mississippi state leaders. The workers met with Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who has been our champion on this issue, to update him on their campaign and the upcoming actions they have planned. They also met with Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) to ask for his support in raising awareness of their campaign. The NBCSL Mississippi Policy Conference was focused on finding solutions to improve the working and living conditions of Black people, particularly in southern states. The Maximus workers spoke about why the freedom to join a union is a necessary condition to empower working people to improve their own futures.

 
Maximus workers meet with Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) during the Mississippi Policy Conference.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.