Worker Power Update

President Biden Recognizes CWA During White House Event Announcing Billions in Funding for Broadband Expansion

On Monday, President Biden announced plans for distributing more than $40 billion to states to fund the expansion of broadband internet service through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Through our Build Broadband Better campaign, CWA members have been advocating for increased access to high speed internet service. Most recently, CWA Broadband brigade members have been engaging with state and local governments to ensure their plans to utilize this funding prioritize high labor standards for broadband providers. In addition, CWA activists are educating state legislators and policy makers about the need to comply with the requirements laid out in the BEAD program, including prioritizing projects that use future-proof fiber technology.

During the event, President Biden acknowledged and recognized CWA, other unions, and community organizations for their continued advocacy to ensure the passage and enforcement of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other legislation intended to boost infrastructure around the country. Watch the clip from President Biden’s remarks.

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CWA Activists Strategize for Upcoming Elections

CWA members from across the union participated in an inaugural Activist Briefing last Tuesday where they analyzed the 2022 midterm election data and explored its implications for our future campaigns. The informative session also highlighted the remarkable recent passage of legislation in several states to expand workers’ rights. These victories serve as a testament to the significant impact our activism can have on labor rights and protections. By drawing inspiration from these wins, we can fuel our future fights with renewed determination and enthusiasm.

The virtual event marked the beginning of a recurring series that will take place every other month, showcasing our commitment to keeping our members well-informed and actively engaged.

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CWA District 3 Activists Build Political Power

Last week, CWAers from across District 3 participated in a two-day Political Boot Camp in Georgia. They gained valuable new skills to deploy in political and legislative fights to build worker power and ensure a better standard of living for all working people. Fifteen members from CWA Locals 3204, 3207, 3218, 3250, and 3265 participated in this intensive training. The participants also contributed to the political action fund to help build electoral power.

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New Jersey CWA Activists Advocate for Pro-Worker Policies

CWA activists in New Jersey participated in a lobby day last Thursday to meet with their legislators and promote CWA's legislative priorities. After attending a lobbying training, participants flooded the state legislature in Trenton and spoke with their representatives about the need to advance several pro-worker policies that would strengthen New Jersey's working families, including the expansion of collective bargaining rights for local government and college workers, relief for local government workers from crushing health care premium increases, and extension of the New Jersey Corporate Business Tax (CBT) surcharge. The activists also attended various legislative committee hearings.

After their meetings with legislators, the CWAers joined community allies in front of the Statehouse for a rally to call for the extension of the New Jersey CBT surcharge. This rally included a march from the Statehouse to the Trenton office of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, where Christian Estevez, CWA District 1 New Jersey Legislative and Political Director, spoke about the need to prioritize the funding of much-needed public services over tax breaks for big corporations and the billionaires that own them.