CWA Newsletter, Thursday, February 6, 2014

8/13/2019 CWA Newsletter, Thursday, February 6, 2014

1/20


2/20

Share This Article:

CWA activists and our allies are leading the opposition to "fast track"authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Our voices are growing loudereach and every day, as we call for more transparency, citizen participationand fairness.

The day after the State of the Union address, CWA Local 2108 memberspicketed President Obama's visit to Costco to tell him that fast track and theTPP will actually create a race to the bottom. During his speech, Obama toldCongress, "We need to work together on tools like bipartisan trade promotionauthority to protect our workers, protect our environment, and open newmarkets to new goods stamped 'Made in the USA.'"

***
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=LgaUzDPdTQnxLE3J8GFz1vXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=JC8NVSwKC8JESLpm6YBEm%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=0JVKg2MsjZl8gFPhK0KKCPXfvhwxDLo3


3/20

In Chicago, CWAers joined the Illinois Fair Trade Coalition on Saturday for arally against the TPP. Activists braved the snow to march from Jonquil Parkto Democrat Rep. Mike Quigley's office.

Check out NABET-CWA 41 Vice President Don Villar'svideo of thedemonstration here.

***
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=nCtSTGkoGfgYqUbnFtok2vXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=nCtSTGkoGfgYqUbnFtok2vXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=nCtSTGkoGfgYqUbnFtok2vXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=nCtSTGkoGfgYqUbnFtok2vXfvhwxDLo3


4/20

CWA and the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body organized a rally andpress conference of union, community, environmental and faith-basedactivists. Reps. Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey sent representatives withstatements, and New York State Assembly members Shelley Mayer, SteveOtis and Tom Abinanti spoke about their concerns about the trade deal'sinvestment chapter.

Watch a video of the event here.

***
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=jl5qlYgXTYL4IC1yW%2FHFs%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=jl5qlYgXTYL4IC1yW%2FHFs%2FXfvhwxDLo3


5/20

Members of the North Texas CWA, Sierra Club, Jobs with Justice and othergroups march against fast track and the TPP in Dallas.

Trade Yes, But a Different Track

Share This Article:

InThe Huffington Post, CWA President Larry Cohen outlines how we canpress "reset" on trade policy and restore the American Dream for workingfamilies.

Read it here.

A CWA Activist Tells Senate Dems the Truth About Working Families

Share This Article:
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=5PAoNVVq6YUpnte72pljv%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=uBZzys9MTuLkKMsytMcYsPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=0yIjW1w71urX0%2FHWKjBzZfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=6VznBaullg1y%2F6JgZVfQtfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=5PAoNVVq6YUpnte72pljv%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=J%2FCEPmDpgQB%2BrOy2SfirdfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8GC6cVNnlm3tiaPxtdWTzPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=TdkXCY9JrRk8fhAqbCg7HfXfvhwxDLo3


6/20

CWA's Naomi Bolden meets her two senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine,at the Senate Democrats' retreat.

CWA Local 2204 Vice President Naomi Bolden gave voice to the struggles of

working families at Senate Democrats' retreat on Wednesday.

On a panel with two other workers, Bolden talked about working in a Verizoncall center and how misguided trade policies have decimated jobs in hercommunity. Over this past year, her husband fell very ill and had to behospitalized. Because his job didn't provide any sick leave or sick pay, thefamily now lives paycheck to paycheck. Bolden works overtime just so shecan pay the bills. Her daughter was supposed to enroll in college last fall, butbecause she worried about the cost, she instead joined the Air Force.

"That is not the decision I wanted my daughter to make. But she felt that she

had no choice in order to help the family during this difficult time," Boldensaid.

She told the senators, "We are doing everything right. We work hard. We playby the rules. We try to save for the future. We want a bright and secure futurefor our children. We want nothing more than the secure middle-class lifestylethat our parents enjoyed. But that's not the case today. Our wages can't keepup with our expenses. Our health care system is broken. I, and many middleclass families today, am just one mishap away from bankruptcy. When you'reliving paycheck to paycheck it's hard to save for a retirement that you findyourself wondering you'll ever see. This is not the America that my parents

left Italy to come to. And it's getting worse."

Bolden told her lawmakers that she's watched good customer service jobs like her own get shipped overseas to Central America and the Philippines.Some of her friends have even trained their overseas replacements beforethey were fired. She stressed that working families need fair trade and policeslike raising the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance, investing


7/20

in infrastructure and making college more affordable.

"It's frustrating that we don't hear anything about ensuring that all workershave sick days and access to paid sick days," she said. "Instead we hearabout pushing for major trade agreements that will only lead to greater

inequality, downward pressure on our wages, more offshoring of our jobs andthreats to our food safety and laws. Every day I talk to Verizon customerswho are just as frustrated by the growing number of overseas customerservice reps. Why are you here in DC even talking about passing major tradeagreements that will only benefit a few sectors of the economy and themultinational corporations but that will only make the middle class situationharder?"

It was a moving speech. Bolden said when she looked up, two senators werecrying.

NABET-CWA Members Bring Olympics Home

Share This Article:

NABET-CWA members Rick Fox and Dan Marinelli are ready to cover the

XXIII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

When NBC Sports's coverage of the XXII Olympic Winter Games beginstonight, more than 100 NABET-CWA members will be working behind thescenes in Sochi, Russia, to bring home all of the action to viewers in the U.S.

Several members actually have been in Sochi for months now, buildingstudios at the International Broadcast Center and setting up cameras and
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=tCvH5WmgZ1cal%2FA1EqloovXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=QcmCfQPUIAwI7Mt51qyC%2F%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=7C6zm7WSh9eNakH1ygyk7%2FXfvhwxDLo3


8/20

other video equipment in arenas and on mountain tops throughout the BlackSea resort area.

These Olympic Games will mark a number of firsts for NBC Sports. Forexample, tonight's coverage of snowboarding, free style skiing, and team

figure skating represent the first time that a U.S. television network willbroadcast events in prime time prior to the traditional Opening Ceremonies.NBC Sports will also air 230 hours of Olympics coverage on the NBC SportsNetwork (NBCSN), the most hours of Winter Olympic coverage ever carriedon a cable network.

Throughout the sixteen days of the Winter Olympics, NABET-CWA memberswill be putting their skills to work on broadcasts of figure skating, ice hockey,speed skating, bobsled, ski jumping, Alpine and Nordic skiing, biathlon andmore. One of the most anticipated broadcasts from the Games will be theTeam USA vs. Russia men's hockey match on Saturday, Feb. 15.

"As world class athletes gather on the Olympic stage in Sochi, world classtelevision professionals, members of our union, will be there as well, puttingtheir talents on display," said NABET-CWA President Jim Joyce."Thecontributions and talents of our members have played a significant role inNBC's success in broadcasting the Olympics the past two decades."

In addition to sports coverage, NABET-CWA members also are working onnews coverage originating from Sochi, for live broadcasts of the Today Show,NBC Nightly News, and local news coverage for NBC-affiliated TV stations.Starting tonight, broadcasts will continue through the closing ceremonies on

Sunday, Feb. 23.

NYC Politicians, Community Rallies Around Cablevision Techs

Share This Article:
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=XM4voaBGo%2FPGIN49OTSQifXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Axnds7UYtQJ%2F%2BzyPavK5lPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=imf9dhH2Z12%2FskzO%2B5UAP%2FXfvhwxDLo3


9/20

Cablevision workers rally with New York City Public Advocate Letitia James.

Below: These Cablevision techs kids want a fair contract for their families.

On the first day of Black History Month, more than 300 Cablevisiontechnicians, CWA members, allies and elected officials gathered in midtownManhattan to rally for a fair contract. It was the two-year anniversary of theCablevision workers vote to join CWA and the one-year anniversary of theillegal termination of 22 technicians.

"We're going to continue to stand with you. It's a shame that after two yearsof having decided you want to be represented by a union, that we're stillfighting for that to be respected. That's a true shame," said New York CityCouncil Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

Speakers also included NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC PublicAdvocate Leticia James, Rep. Jerry Nadler, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rev. AlSharpton and a host of other officials from the city council and stateassembly. The Tech 22 performed and CWA was joined by our partners,including SEIU Local 32BJ, TWU Local 100, Operating Engineers, SEIULocal 1199, NYCC, Make the Road, Working Families and Occupy WallStreet.


10/20

NABET-CWA Local 51011 president Thomas Cappo, center, with officersJames Keyes and Tim Gorry, join CWA Cablevision members and supportersat the anniversary rally.

"There's a war being waged on unions and working people a war! And thisCablevision is part of that war," said Nadler.

Sharpton fired up the crowd, shouting, "This is our day! This is our time!Solidarity!"

Lawrence Hendrickson, a Brooklyn Cablevision tech, vowed that workerswould not give up. "This year the walls of injustice will come crumbling downat the knees of the workers," he said.

Check out thesetwovideosfrom the event.

VP Biden: 'Collective Bargaining Is the Bedrock Of Our Economy'

Share This Article:

Vice President Joe Bidentweeted this messageyesterday, driving home theconnection between the lack of bargaining rights for U.S. workers and ourdeclining middle class income. Biden wrote, "Collective bargaining is thebedrock of our economy. This chart says it better than I ever could."
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=p9BwLuesDVE3Lhj4OrE2lPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=nCtSTGkoGfjcjii%2FddZq9PXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=pK1O5HMb09YYVH%2F9tEoiC%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=pK1O5HMb09YYVH%2F9tEoiC%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=s31IeVZCrlOKcIuadwzGzvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Ie9qyircGsP5iL7cj2SISfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=XFHMdWpj7U0O1qDx6z%2F0zfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=nCtSTGkoGfjcjii%2FddZq9PXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=p9BwLuesDVE3Lhj4OrE2lPXfvhwxDLo3


11/20

VP Biden says collective bargaining is the bedrock of our economy.

Misguided trade deals have also historically pushed down our wages. Theadministration should rethink their stance, as they negotiate a new tradeagreement with 12 Pacific Rim nations. AsCWA President Larry Cohen hassaid, we need a "reset" on trade policy and "fast track" for the Trans-PacificPartnership.

TNG-CWA Journalists Withhold Bylines To Protest Contract Proposals

Share This Article:
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=RMXFmQjCXhDQKOQwuiuiEvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=RMXFmQjCXhDQKOQwuiuiEvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=oyVgcFWNV1invNM0a36kdvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=sDhTfZeijmB8xlBNgoomoPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=LKfzQgk%2Bqv0eokUl0QsHt%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=RMXFmQjCXhDQKOQwuiuiEvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=RMXFmQjCXhDQKOQwuiuiEvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=6tHL0Reod0BEi6CqKGIUybqmUR0ODDWb


12/20

Miami staffers protest AP'scheAPcontract offer. Left to right: David Fischer,Christine Armario, Jorge Trimarchi, Suzette Laboy, Gisela Salomon and thenewest Guild member in Florida, Michael Mishak. Wilfredo Lee stands inback.

Below: The front page of the Manchester Union Leader.


13/20

Fed up with their employers' terrible contract demands, members of TheNewspaper Guild-CWA have launched two actions in the past week that areunique to journalists: byline strikes.

Last week, Associated Press members represented by the News Media Guildhad widespread success when they withheld their bylines for a day. "About110 of 115 bureaus, plus a total of about 20 departments in Washington,D.C., and New York City, participated in the daylong protest," NMG reports."Lots of non-writing staffers proudly wore their red Guild shirts all day andtook photos, and many expressed their feelings about the latest contractoffers from The Associated Press with Tweets using our hashtag,#fairAPcontract."

Per language in many Guild contracts, reporters and photographers have theright to withhold their bylines and credit lines. For stories, some papers will

use no byline; others may say "Staff Report."

That's the case at the Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader, where Guildmembers began a 10-day byline strike Wednesday. Participation "is 100percent!!!" local President Norm Welsh reports.

After years of making concessions for their employer, Manchester Guildmembers have been offered what the local calls "the worse proposal everseen." It even demands an 18 percent retroactivepay cut. Members hope thebyline strike will get the public's attention and put pressure on the company.

For details about the contract offers and battles being waged,click hereforAP coverage andherefor the latest story about Manchester.

Activists, Leaders Take Action at D9 Conference

Share This Article:
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=II0O1wpirae3rlMPy7W%2FlvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=DJcE9ZwGtOVQIigwgEI%2FEvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=5n%2FaKFrJBbc%2BuwWyGOkGEPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=GIF6LFjf3h4Bw0zkgb0VYPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=OoKb0nAkZmCtP98jA4UhlPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=DJcE9ZwGtOVQIigwgEI%2FEvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=II0O1wpirae3rlMPy7W%2FlvXfvhwxDLo3


14/20

CWAers show their support for AFA-CWA Flight Attendants at UnitedAirlines, who are facing layoffs.

Lots of action at the District 9 conference this week:

CWAers stood in solidarity to show their support for AFA-CWA FlightAttendants at United Airlines. The airline says it will lay off 685 FlightAttendants.

Participants took action against "fast track" authorization for the Trans-Pacific Partnership by calling and emailing their members of Congress.

D9 participants helped "stamp out money in politics" by stampingpaper currency with that message. CWA is working with citizen groupsto stop the dangerous flood of money in politics, and also with BenCohen (of Ben and Jerry's ice cream) who founded thestampstampede.orgcampaign.
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=H27JPNLkyBYJEZeQrbvulfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=H27JPNLkyBYJEZeQrbvulfXfvhwxDLo3


15/20

At the D9 conference, CWAers help stamp out big money in politics.

According to Cohen, every dollar stays in circulation for approximately

2.5 years and is seen by 875 people. As more stamped bills enter themarketplace, we can create a massive visual demonstration of supportfor reforms support that our elected representatives will no longer beable to ignore.

Just this week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) andRep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) introduced H.R. 20, a bill that will changethe way we finance our elections by empowering small donors.Readmore here.

Long Island Residents Say, 'We Want FiOS!'

Share This Article:

Members of CWA Local 1108 and the Brookhaven community flood a townhall meeting to push for Verizon FiOS buildout.

CWA and community activists, elected officials and other residents ofBrookhaven, N.Y., jammed a town hall meeting to push Verizon to build out

FiOS service for television and high speed Internet to the Long Island town.

More than 500 residents were on hand, rallied by members and supporters ofCWA Local 1108 and other community groups. Citizens groups want Verizonto reconsider its decision not to build out FiOS; the company said it doesn'thave a franchise agreement with Brookhaven and doesn't want one.Councilwoman Valerie Cartwright said the meeting showed that there is a
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8PKNlNyYMnOPOXWhTq8Io7qmUR0ODDWbhttp://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8PKNlNyYMnOPOXWhTq8Io7qmUR0ODDWbhttp://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=6FDp4%2Bh4Edsl9EZv5ks2jPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=fpa4tNFZrB2U5upwCKFQN%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FnLsWfUtkvtluKgd0XwfzrqmUR0ODDWbhttp://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8PKNlNyYMnOPOXWhTq8Io7qmUR0ODDWbhttp://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8PKNlNyYMnOPOXWhTq8Io7qmUR0ODDWb


16/20

"great deal of interest" in FiOS.

At the meeting, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine said electedofficials had informed Verizon that the clock is running on fines levied againstthe company for failing to clean up hazardous poles in the community; those

fines were submitted to Verizon starting Feb. 3.

Without FiOS, residents have little competition for Cablevision service, theprincipal television and broadband provider in the area.

Next CWA Telephone Town Hall is Feb. 20

Share This Article:

Don't miss the February CWA telephone town hall call. It's the best way thatCWA members can keep up with everything that's happening, frombargaining to movement building to restoring our democracy.

The next call is Thursday, Feb. 20, starting at 7:30 pm, ET. The call will lasthalf an hour.

Register athttp://cwa-union.org/cwacall.

CBO: Affordable Care Act Means More Options for Workers

Share This Article:

It's amazing how quickly some media outlets jumped to misconstrue the latestfindings from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office on the effects ofthe Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare.

The New York Times editorial board got it right. The CBO report actuallyfound that "thanks to an increase in insurance coverage under the act and theavailability of subsidies to help pay the premiums many workers who feltobliged to stay in a job that provided health benefits would now be able toleave those jobs or choose to work fewer hours than they otherwise wouldhave. In other words, the report is about the choices workers can make whenthey are no longer tethered to an employer because of health benefits. The
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=WYrfqUJb7lgq4jW2Et1jVPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Wtv9RT0K3zwn9p4W%2BRXvDvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=jIhy7Uu0vhpZwgvhlp0mtvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=uRwjqSm%2Bs2cE1LsT2MplwfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=WYrfqUJb7lgq4jW2Et1jVPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=tKFoeBCik4xZuTjTLR9OEvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=ESIvQ2PK9%2FvXGSMahoHklPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=4IpXan6jt6qvGuQjguUJuPXfvhwxDLo3


17/20

cumulative effect on the labor supply is the equivalent of 2.5 million fewer full-time workers by 2024,"The New York Times wrote.

Bargaining Underway for Southeast AT&T Mobility Members

Share This Article:

Unity@Mobility members from Local 7803 show their support for D3 Mobilitybargaining.

CWA's District 3 AT&T Mobility bargaining committee is working hard tonegotiate a fair and just contract for more than 13,000 Mobility members. Thecurrent contract expires Feb. 7. CWA D3 represents AT&T Mobility membersin nine states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,

Late last year, Mobility leaders and members held a Mobility NationalBargaining Council meeting, where members discussed issues and adoptedbargaining goals.

Finally, A Bill That Will Help Us Take Back Our Politics

Share This Article:
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=cpEK7SvPesrJNEnLqzOY2%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=cpEK7SvPesrJNEnLqzOY2%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=fRV8QZGtVi9T7rTOsnFfdPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=4af0RtBVi7nbkkP7EdIyxvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=MKHcSfXRxit9l2Ind%2FB7xvXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=zeed0BRxERpLJPiDelabafXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=O1jrkGKMmGHbmb0F2%2Bqf5PXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=oqmitkw3JKQYMCo6xbOii%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=cpEK7SvPesrJNEnLqzOY2%2FXfvhwxDLo3


18/20

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Sarbanes unveillegislation to help get big money out of politics.

CWA applauded the introduction of H.R. 20, the Government By the PeopleAct. The legislation was unveiled on Wednesday by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and House Minority Leader Pelosi (D-Calif.). The bill is an important stepin reducing the influence of moneyed special interests in politics and wouldput our elections back into the hands of everyday Americans.

"We the people want to be heard," said CWA President Larry Cohen."Corporations, Super PACs and Dark Money give a big voice to the wealthyand corporations at the expense of the rest of us. This uncontrolled spendingthreatens the democratic voice that is the foundation of our country.Increasingly, ordinary Americans are expressing a growing conviction thattheir votes don't count, that our political process is controlled by the biggestbankroll, and that money, not the public interest, sets policies and priorities ingovernment."

The Government By the People Act would change how we finance ourelections by encouraging candidates to rely on a large number of smalldonations from their constituents back home, as opposed to funds fromextremely wealthy donors, special interests, lobbyists, Wall Street and bigbusiness. It would empower ordinary voters and hold members of Congressaccountable to the people who put them in office, not the biggest bankroll.

Here is how it would work:

Contributions of $1 to $150 would be matched on a six-to-one basis bya newly-created "Freedom from Influence Fund." Large contributionswould not qualify for any match. The fund would be financed by closingcorporate tax loopholes.


19/20

The first $25 contributed by small donors would qualify for a "MyVoice" refundable tax credit.

Every candidate's contributions from the new fund would be capped,

and there would be strict enforcement of campaign finance laws,including disclosure of all donations.

Learn more about the Government By the People Act at www.ofby.us.

Andclick hereto be a citizen sponsor of this important legislation.

Remembering Pete Seeger

Share This Article:

There have been many tributes to Pete Seeger marking his death at age 94last week.Check out this videoand audio tribute to Seeger by DemocracyNow.

And you canread more in this obituary.

Just last November, Seeger surprised TNG-CWA members in Buffalo, N.Y.,

by stopping by their council meeting when he was in town for a peace benefitconcert.

In a surprise visit, Pete Seeger meets with members of TNG-CWA in Buffalo,NY.
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=6f7qN62hBHUhyTiWxG0FD%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=997ew7%2FLit1uarUoz0xnKPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2B3BQaDwG2mdhLwHR%2Bi2PKfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BEMDMkqaj5ZLuGiCzuOdTPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BEMDMkqaj5ZLuGiCzuOdTPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2B3BQaDwG2mdhLwHR%2Bi2PKfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=oEK3EH1mwsTxlnZ4HaLQvPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=mIxiHShFNFEQRqiQ4YXY7PXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=KehlPCAjgQpk893f%2BV6ku%2FXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=997ew7%2FLit1uarUoz0xnKPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=6f7qN62hBHUhyTiWxG0FD%2FXfvhwxDLo3


20/20

Do You Support Good, Green Jobs?

Share This Article:

Join us next week for the 2014Good Jobs, Green Jobs ConferenceinWashington, DC.

This year's conference is focused on repairing the systemsAmericans rely onevery day, whethergetting us back and forth to work, supplying our power,keeping us safe from storms and floods, communicating with police and fireduring emergencies, or ensuring the institutions where our children learn aresafe and healthy. It's time to repair these systems today to create quality,family-sustaining jobs, to address the threat of climate change, and to ensure

the health and safety of our workplaces and our communities.

Participants will spend Feb. 10-11 networking with business, civic, non-profit,union and environmental leaders and in informative and interactiveworkshops focused on every part of the clean economy. This year's speakersinclude CWA President Larry Cohen, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Sen.Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune, Rep.Donna Edwards (D-Md.), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), AFL-CIO PresidentRichard Trumka and more.

Register today!

Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, CLC. All Rights Reserved.

Follow us on:

www.facebook.com/cwalocal1022

www.cwalocal1022.org

www.twitter/@cwalocal1022
http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=EIfyMWVas9TFjdLarfnypfXfvhwxDLo3http://www.twitter/@cwalocal1022http://www.twitter/@cwalocal1022http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=z3%2FSPDTa4C7kQo3vnkm6%2FVxhGBKzzVKWhttp://www.twitter/@cwalocal1022http://www.cwalocal1022.org/http://www.facebook.com/cwalocal1022http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=z3%2FSPDTa4C7kQo3vnkm6%2FVxhGBKzzVKWhttp://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=EIfyMWVas9TFjdLarfnypfXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=1zNFKY1Jsvo2aMvRv3SPzrqmUR0ODDWbhttp://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=ADJRrS9u7ScwhlUmE%2FchFPXfvhwxDLo3http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Yvr1cbkg1qvkQo3vnkm6%2FVxhGBKzzVKW

Documents

CWA Newsletter, Thursday, February 6, 2014