The 2006 IUE-CWA CONVENTION
Jim Martin Jr & Johnny Hugley Jr

Due to the proximity between the convention, the executive board meeting, and our membership meeting, we thought that going through the motions and writing a short report would discount the extraordinary significance of the convention and conference. The information to report is very practical and deserves to not only be passed on in a timely fashion, but deserves to be presented in detail. This year’s meetings were billed as very vital meetings, even over and beyond the usual hype. To prepare for increased challenges from the Global Class Economy and declining membership, CWA layer out a restructuring program earlier this year entitled READY FOR THE FUTURE. 11 area meetings were held across the divisions and each division was urged to brainstorm and participate in talks to adopt a resolution for the purpose of restructuring the Union from the top down. In addition to Resolution 1 there was also a resolution to create The Strategic Industry Fund. This fund will be funded by diverting twenty fives cents of our monthly 2 ¼ hr dues fee into an account that will be used to halt the Corporate Assault. At the IUE-CWA Conference there was a ceremony to commemorate the passing of our Conference Board Chairman, Henry Reichard. His wife and grandson were recognized and presented a gift to honor the many years of dedication and service to our union. Henry had all of us on his mind and shoulders. It’s beyond tragic, the extent of loss that Delphi has cost us unnecessarily. When thousands of union members congregate for these meetings there’s always an extraordinary amount of emotion and energy that runs through you, but the spirit at this year’s conference and convention was magnified ten fold. The stories of triumph and tragedy that are exchanged at our annual union meetings shock your mind and heart. That is the power of union synergy when practiced.
Pic 1- IUE-CWA Stands during the National Anthem



The IUE-CWA Divisional Conference
84 IUE Locals 201 in attendance

Much of the discussion and many of the talking points at the conference centered around bankruptcy. 10% of The IUE is either in bankruptcy bankruptcy bound including Pittsburgh Brewery Valeo emerged from bankruptcy but has shrunk from 1000 workers down to 100. One of the speakers said that “bankruptcy is no longer a last resort, it’s a tool.” It’s a tool to bust unions and the biggest union buster in America today is the U.S. Government. We were fortunate enough to have a guest speaker: Jeff Faux. Mr. Faux, author of “The Global Class System,” told us that our Hi-Class Governmental leaders have more in common with other Hi-Class leaders of foreign countries than they do their own citizens. He went on to say that our quality of life is eroding and this is bigger than our jobs; this is our country.
Last years IUE-CWA delegation made 4 million dollars available to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Unbelievably, our government responded quicker to foreign disasters than they did our disasters here at home. IUE-CWA 1105 member, Gerald Doorman, from New Orleans spoke about Katrina relief. He was very greatful that other union members volunteered their time to help clean and bring food to the their brothers and sisters in need. Gerald was very emotional when he thanked everyone for their contribution. In addition, other IUE Locals donated $20,000 and helped with clean up and delivery of supplies. 57 of our IUE Members benefited from the generosity of other members.


Health & Safety Investigation – President Clark reported that after a thorough investigation of 68 health and safety incidents reported, it was determined that 19 of the incidents were of “grave concern.” Among other incidents, he incidents sighted were skin damage, respiratory illness, and hearing loss. This investigation will be ongoing and the violations discovered will be monitored.


The CWA Convention

The Strategic Industry Fund will be used to finance the following offensives: Investigate and Expose Corporate accounting fraud, corporate wrong-doing, educating 50,000 union stewards, promote union services, build alliances to create state wide health care programs, and put together campaigns to end bad trade deals by getting rid of the legislature that rewards corporations for sending jobs over seas. Many members at the convention felt that this was a good idea long overdue. We were assured that this will not be a political slush fund. No debt, travel, or staff salary will be taken from this fund. If our MRF (strike fund) gets below the amount in force at the date of the convention $372,782,679, the funds will be taken back from The SIF to replace any deficit. Governance: Strategic plans for SIF funds will be initiated by the appropriate Vice Presidents. The Defense Fund Oversight Committee will have oversight responsibilities for SIF.
-taken from a CWA Bulletin Manufacturing is being exported through trade deals and union contracts are being destroyed by bankruptcy judges. Health care is largely driven by corporations that have deep pockets and use their money to make sure we don’t get a national solution. Union newspapers are being sold and consolidated and union jobs walled off. This is a large scale attack and our response needs to match it. It needs to be strategic and well funded. We need a strategic response which engages our allies and communities and puts pressure on employers and their allies. SIF will give us the funds to launch scale campaigns. (goal $20,000,000 per year)

Memorial Presentation: Henry Reichard was honored along with other leaders at the Convention. A five minute clip of our IUE-CWA Rally for the Valley in Warren was also shown and the delegation of 2000+ applauded in solidarity.

Memorable comments about the S.I.F. from IUE and CWA leaders:
“We’re going to die on the vine. You can’t gain anything by only playing defense.”
“We have to fight out of the box, and fight one day longer.”
“We can no longer sandbag until the 11th hr every four years. We’re at war EVERY DAY.”
“We have to get out from behind the 8 ball”


RESOLUTION 1: READY FOR THE FUTURE
Jobs, Outsourcing, Health Care, Retirement Security
6 Major Unions – mobilization training
10 Steps to Strengthen Bargaining Power
1. Strengthen the CWA Triangle
2. Education – Educate 50,000 stewards
3. Politics – 50,000 activists on the streets
4. Organizing – spend more money to recruit new members
5. Locals – Fully functioning and effective locals strengthen bargaining power
6. Telecom – Establish a national telecom office (CWA telecommunication)
7. Resources – Change budget processes to assure resources are on front line
8. Retirees – Double retiree membership. Create RetireE Activist database.
9. Meetings – Reduce meetings and conferences by 15%
10. Governance and restructuring – locals expenses can’t exceed income. E. Board diversity. IUE and other divisions will retain their identity. After discussions, it was determined that the CWA will not force the merging of districts.



Getting members active: Repeating was stated at the convention: “We need to “energize” and get our members “engaged.” There is no political fairy that comes at night to fix our issues and fight against anti-worker legislature; “you have to get off your butt and do something.” Although it’s a good thing, it’s easy to attend conventions and write reports; if I want different results I need to take different action. If YOU want different results, YOU have to take different action.. We all mistakenly believe that are circumstances are special, that we’re the only everyday people that have to take the kids to softball, do the yard work, or work two jobs. Many of us believe that somebody else is picking up our slack and carrying our weight, but if the majority of everyday people believe that somebody else is paying attention, voting on critical issues, calling senators and congress, writing letters, and doing something different to get different results; it stand to reason that we’re mistaken to believe that somebody else is doing enough to change our reality. Somebody else is me.. and it’s you.

Local 1037 from New Jersey was awarded the Presidents Award for organizing 8,500 day care workers. This award is given to the outstanding member or local union of the year. Congratulations 1037!! Since last year’s conventions, there have been 25,000 new workers organized and brought into the CWA.

The Convention and Conference was very energizing and educational as always
pic 4-http://www.unionplus.org/ Discounts, Education, other programs.



TAKE ACTION
For information about CWA Legislative Updates including THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT go to CWA-UNION.ORG to send an Eletter to your lawmaker. Co-sponsor H.R. 1696 and S. 842.