In an historic action, the 2007 CWA Convention voted to expand CWA’s 19-member Executive Board, establishing four at-large diversity seats that give a greater voice to local leaders.

This action strengthens the foundation of CWA and ensures that leadership reflects the diversity, experiences and strengths of the full range of CWA’s membership.

Convention delegates established four at-large diversity Board member seats representing four geographic areas of the union, with the goal of having at least three be people of color, and at least two women. At-large diversity Board members will have a full voice and vote on all Executive Board deliberations.

This action was a key component of CWA’s Ready for the Future plan, adopted last year to strengthen CWA’s grassroots activist base and develop strategic initiatives to take on critical issues in CWA industries and in public policy.

The CWA Executive Board initially will appoint four members to the at-large diversity seats; those appointments will come from nominations made by the Committee on Equity, the National Women’s Committee and the CWA Minority Caucus. Nominations will be made by September 1, 2007. At-large diversity Board members will be elected to three-year terms at the 2008 Convention.

Delegates to the convention pledged to support embryonic stem cell research to help treat devastating diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and much more.

In a strong and emotional address, CWA District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci, who is suffering from ALS, asked delegates to commit their energy to the fight for the Employee Free Choice Act and also to the fight for embryonic stem cell research, which has shown great promise in the treatment of diseases that now have no cure.

Delegates approved a plan under which the CWA Executive Board and the executive board of the Retired Members’ Council (RMC) will meet to determine ways to work more closely together. The RMC will also develop an action plan with specific goals to work with locals to organize new chapters, increase membership and build active participation in CWA campaigns.

Delegates witnessed the signing of a strategic alliance with the United Steelworkers to help support CWA’s 8,000 Canadian members. Under the strategic alliance, CWAers in Canada will join forces with the more than 280,000 USW members there to work together on issues of common interest.

Delegates also voted to establish a Canadian region, with members formerly in Districts 1 and 7 now being part of a new region with full authority on governance, policy and operational decisions affecting Canadian members, in accordance with the CWA Constitution.

This year the 20^th Annual Conference of the CWA Minority Caucus was held in Toronto, Canada, July 12^th-15^th. The theme for this conference was "We Have a Date in 2008".

There was plenty of dialogue at the conference regarding the Diversity Committee Report which ultimately resulted in the establishment of four (4) at-large diversity seats on the national executive board.

Every year the CWA Minority Caucus presents the Eugene Mays Award to a CWA Member who exemplifies the qualities for which Eugene Mays was most notable (unselfish, giving of self to assist members in our Union or in the community). This year’s recipient of the award is Walter D. Andrews, Sr., Caucus President and also President of CWA Local 3204 in Atlanta, Ga. Congratulations to Walter!

The following members were elected as bargaining representatives on the Verizon bargaining committee:

• Jim Pappas, President Local 2336—Representing Metro (DC, NORVA & MD SUB)
• Steve Holland, President Local 2100—Representing Maryland
• Chris Lane, President Local 2201—Representing Virginia
• Linda Miller, President Local 2001—Representing West Virginia

The following members were elected as alternates on the Verizon bargaining committee:

• Les Evans, President Local 2108—Representing (DC, NORVA & MD SUB)
• Denise Burns, President Local 2107—Representing Maryland
• Paula Terveer, EVP Local 2202—Representing Virginia
• Jimmy Mazzi, President Local 2011—Representing West Virginia

"Cell Phones for Technicians"

Over the past year, the issue of providing cell phones to technicians has been raised through various channels of corporate communication. After extensive review by corporate leadership, VCSI has decided to provide cell phones to all technicians.

Issuance of cell phones should enhance the technician’s ability to call ahead to customers, keep customers informed of their progress during an installation or repair, and complete customer call backs to ensure service is working properly. They will also enable the technician to communicate more efficiently with their supervisors and the Dispatch Resource Center.

The D.C. Council is currently considering a bill to require employers to provide paid sick days to all employees (10 days for employers with more than 5 workers—5 days for employers with 5 or fewer workers).

Employees would be able to use the time to care for themselves or their family—including routine or preventive medical care. The bill also covers victims of domestic violence who need time off to seek medical care, shelter, counseling, a court order, or other services related to the violence.

If you work and/or live in DC, show your support for the bill by singing the petition at: Http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JwyIwRGYV28rZayAkNn3ow_3d_3d.

Emergency assistance is available to low income District residents who have received a disconnection notice for electric service, or are currently disconnected.

Once eligible residents receive a disconnection notice from the utility company, they can come to the District Department of Environment’s Energy Division (DDOE) without an appointment. All applicants must bring the disconnection notice, proof of income, most recent utility bills, and a picture ID to DDOE Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. DDOE is located at 2000 14^th Street NW #300E.

Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the Utility Discount Programs (UDP) which offers discounted rates on electric, gas, telephone and water bills. PLEASE CALL THE ENERGY HOTLINE AT 202 673-6750 FOR DETAILS.