The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists held their annual convention in Chicago on May 22-28, 2007. The convention, which was attended by Local VP Claudia Cole, offered an extensive agenda with a wide spectrum of work shops and activities including the CBTU Leadership Institute.

Some of the highlights of the conference were presentations from Presidential candidate Barack Obama—keynote speaker on the third day; Rev. Jesse Jackson—who lead the invocation for the Worship Service on Sunday; and Chris Gardner, author of "The Pursuit of Happiness"—who gave the audience an hour long verbal rendition of his true life story that was made into a Major Motion Picture, staring Will Smith.

Both Senator Obama and Reverend Jackson expressed their views and support of labor issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act, Speed Matters and Universal Health Care. Senator Obama also gave a strong, compelling and definitive speech regarding the war in Iraq.

This Convention, in its excellence, offered something for everyone who attended. A Youth Conference with workshops and entertainment applicable to our youth today, a Golf Tournament for the CBTU Scholarship Fund, a women’s play by mZuri, reflecting on the life and struggles of Fannie Lou Hamer, a gospel concert presented by the CBTU Mass Choir, an awards banquet, a women’s award luncheon and a host of work shops with topics that impact our everyday lives.

AVAYA

On Monday, June 4, 2007, Avaya Inc., a major player in corporate telephone systems, agreed to be acquired by private-equity firms Silver Lake Partners and TPG Capital LLC for an estimated $8.2 billion. If this purchase is approved by the shareholders, it means Avaya Inc. will be a privately owned corporation and will not trade stock in the future.

The Unions were notified on Tuesday, June 5th of this acquisition and in discussions with Labor Relations, it was indicated by the company that the contract and the represented employees will continue intact. Further discussion with the Senior Leadership will take place in the very near future, and the membership will be kept informed of any other developments.

The Union will continue to evaluate this potential sale and the impact it could or could not have on our members, and will take necessary action accordingly. Our only interest at this time is that our members’ and retirees’ wages, pensions, benefits and jobs are protected.

There will be an advance steward training session held on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at the Local office on 5321 First Place NE beginning at 6 p.m. All stewards are asked to R.S.V.P. by Friday, June 15, 2007.

A new steward training session will be conducted on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Local office on 5321 First Place NE from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any members interested in attending this training should contact the Local office no later than Friday, June 15, 2007.

CWA applauded the Broadband Data Improvement Act, introduced last week by Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-MI), as a significant and necessary step in bringing high speed internet access to every American.

Our nation, the country that invented the Internet, has fallen to 16^th in the world in high-speed Internet penetration. This measure, S.1492, incorporates key provisions supported by CWA as part of the union’s "Speed Matters" campaign, which calls on Congress to establish a national Internet policy to improve the quality, availability and affordability of high speed broadband service to every community.

S. 1492, in addition to seeking to improve the quality of federal broadband data collection, also encourages state initiatives that promote broadband deployment.

"Orioles and Nationals"

It’s time again for our annual union night at the ballpark. This year we will have a night in Washington as well as in Baltimore. Union night in Baltimore will be on Friday, June 29, 2007 and Friday, July 20, 2007 in Washington. For more details, please contact the Local office on 202 291-1500.

"First Annual Crab Feast"

CWA Retiree Chapter 2336 of the Greater Washington, D.C. area is sponsoring its First Annual Crab Feast on Sunday, August 5, 2007 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Martins Crosswinds—7400 Greenway Center Dr., Greenbelt, MD. The cost is $55.00. For more details or to purchase tickets, call Patricia Cauley at 202 829-4135 or Betty Brooks at 301 336-5177.

Discounted tickets and season passes to Six Flags are on sale at the Local office. Regular tickets are $26.00 including tax per person and season passes are $54.99 including tax per person. These tickets and passes may be purchased by contacting the Local office on 202 291-1500.