Patricia Roberts Harris represents two firsts: She was the first Black woman to serve in a president’s cabinet and the first Black to serve as Secretary in two cabinet posts. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to his cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. In 1979, she was appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Mrs. Harris was born on May 31, 1924, in Mattoon, IL. She graduated, summa cum laude, with a B.A. degree from Howard University in 1945. She earned a law degree with honors from George Washington University in 1960. Graduating number one out of a class of 94, she was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

At the Senate confirmation to approve her appointment, one senator tried to suggest that Patricia Harris’ position might make her ill-qualified to represent the underclass. To this, she shot back, "I am one of them. You do not seem to understand who I am. I am a Black woman, the daughter of a dining-car worker. I am a Black woman who could not buy a house eight years ago in parts of the District of Columbia."

There is no agreement with CWA that exists regarding the company’s workplace attire guidelines currently being circulated.

When approached by the company back in November of 2008 with its intent to implement this policy across the regional footprint, the Union responded by stating that we would pursue all cases where company management was unreasonable in its application of such a policy and, further, additional grievances would follow any negative impact on our membership.

The subjective opinions of the local management teams were never intended to be a part of these guidelines and furthermore, the filthy conditions in most of the Verizon buildings do not warrant wearing business attire to work.

We have asked Labor Relations to communicate with the area President our demand that Verizon back off of this policy, and perhaps devote management’s time to a more productive endeavor.

By mobilizing, we’ve shown the Company that Mobility workers are going to fight for a fair contract, that its "last, best offer" just isn’t good enough. We’ve let the Company know that we are not falling for their phony claims on wage increases.

With every red shirt, every CWA button, every petition signature, every workplace sign, we’ve demonstrated that Mobility employees from the smallest retail stores to the biggest call centers are unified.

Keep it up! Now is the time to get involved if you haven’t already!

President Obama Signs American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus plan, passed the Senate on February 13.  President Obama signed the legislation last Tuesday.

By expanding job opportunities for working Americans – especially in critical areas like broadband build out and other infrastructure investment – this plan will get the economy moving again.  Critical provisions for CWA members include:

• More than $7 billion in federal grants to expand broadband Internet access in rural and underserved areas, as well as $350 million in funding for broadband data mapping.
• Nearly $54 billion for states for fiscal stabilization, plus funding for state and local governments for transportation, infrastructure, education, health care and other critical needs. 
• $50 billion for energy programs, much of it focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy, including $2 billion for advanced battery manufacturing.

Thousands of CWA Members and participants in CWA's Speed Matters campaign sent letters and made calls to their members of Congress and Senators to help win passage of the Act.

The Communications Workers of America applauds the Senate for confirming former House Representative Hilda Solis (D-Calif., 32nd district) as the new Administration's Labor Secretary. "Secretary Solis has long been an effective voice for workers' rights," said CWA President Larry Cohen.

CWA leadership and Union members on the ground stood strong behind Solis throughout the confirmation process, reaching out to key members of the Senate to show support for confirmation. Now confirmed, Secretary Solis will provide the right leadership for America's workers in the information age.

In addition to her impressive record of defending workers' rights, our new Labor Secretary has the vision to help grow a 21st century workforce that is highly skilled and green.  Solis is a longtime advocate of promoting "green manufacturing" to create the jobs of the future and help the United States achieve a clean energy economy that is both efficient and energy independent. She is an ideal advocate to help the Obama-Biden administration champion the investments needed to accomplish these goals and ultimately create the millions of green jobs called for to jumpstart our economy.

CWA DISTRICT 2

On Monday, February 23^rd and Tuesday, February 24^th, CWA District 2 officer training sessions were conducted at the Local office of 2108 in Beltsville, Maryland. The sessions were attended by President Mike Harris, Executive Vice President Valerie Matthews-Monroe and Vice President Jonathan Keith Leonard as well as other officers from CWA locals in Maryland and Virginia.

FAIRLAND DATA CENTER

On Thursday, February 19, 2009, Local President Mike Harris (who also sits on the Board of Directors of the Signal Financial Federal Credit Union, formerly WTFCU) along with Local EVP Valerie Matthews-Monroe, CU Director Eileen Booker and Branch Manager Judy Purdy cut the ribbon extending the use to all of the employees of Verizon, this ATM, that was installed at the Fairland Data Center by the Signal Financial Federal Credit Union. A reception from 12 noon until 2:30 p.m., sponsored by CWA and Signal, followed the ribbon cutting ceremony.