July 8, 2010

GOP House Members Press Deutsche Telekom on Workers' Rights in U.S.

Seven Republican members of Congress have signed a letter to Deutsche Telekom chief executive officer Rene Olbermann calling on the company to "follow the same, fair policies at your U.S. subsidiary as at Deutsche Telekom" with regard to workers' rights to decide for themselves, free from management interference, whether they want to organize and bargain collectively. 

The letter expressed concern that DT's approach to employees at its American subsidiary does not place an equal value on respect for workers' rights. "We believe that respecting those rights is one important step in ensuring that economic recovery is fair and sustainable," they wrote.

The signers are Steven LaTourette, R-14th, Ohio; Candice S. Miller, R-10th, Mich.; Frank Lo Biondo, R-2nd, N.J.; Patrick Tiberi, R-12th, Ohio; Thadeus McCotter, R-11th, Mich.; Christopher Smith, R-4th, N.J.; and Tim Murphy, R-18th, Pa.

The letter is similar to one sent to Olbermann in May by 24 Democratic members of the House Education and Labor Committee.

NABET-CWA Members Stand Firm as Contract Fight Heads to Mediation

Kenny Distance, a member of the NABET-CWA bargaining team at PBS, grills hot dogs for his colleagues outside the network's facilities in Springfield, Va.

NABET-CWA has been in tough bargaining with PBS, the nation's public broadcasting network, for a new contract covering some 50 technicians, editors and satellite workers, members of Local 52031. The previous contract expired at the end of June.

NABET-CWA members have been mobilizing and that show of solidarity, including red shirt days and "hot dog Wednesdays" caused the network's chief negotiator to walk away from bargaining. Negotiations will resume July 13 with a federal mediator.

Management demands include changes in shift selection, job titles and cuts in pay differentials. The network says it won't raise wages this year and is offering just 1 percent next year and 2 percent in 2012.

Sign Up Now for CWA's Civil Rights and Equity Conference

CWA's National Committee on Equity has put together a special program for this year's civil rights and equity conference in New Orleans.

The three day meeting will include hands-on sessions on how to build local civil rights and equity committees, a status report on coalition building with national groups like the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the NAACP, and discussion around key civil rights issues for CWAers.

It also will focus on the hardships still facing victims of Hurricane Katrina and how CWAers have been working to help restore this community.

The conference will be held at the Loews New Orleans Hotel, beginning Friday evening, Sept. 24 through Sunday Sept. 26. For registration and hotel information, go here.

Biggest Ever COPE Contest Underway

CWA's COPE contest is really taking off. Just since May, when the contest began, there's been an increase of $30,244 for COPE, from new contributors or increased contributions. So far, District 6 is leading the contest with the most cards.

Every District and Sector that meets the minimum quota for a 5 percent increase in giving will hold a drawing among those CWA members who have signed up or increased their COPE contributions. Districts or sectors that don't reach the 5 percent mark will hold a combined drawing. CWA will award up to eight top prizes of a trip for two to Las Vegas, including airfare and two nights' hotel accommodation.    

Any CWAer who becomes a new contributor or increases her or his weekly contributions by $1 will get a COPE t-shirt.

The contest runs until October and the winners will be announced on Election Day, Nov. 2.

West Virginia CWA Members Honor Byrd in Memorial Procession

CWA members in Charleston, W.Va., join a memorial tribute to Senator Robert Byrd.

Scores of red-shirted CWA members honored the life of West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd on July 2, joining a somber march behind a horse-drawn caisson that ended at a memorial service at Charleston's statehouse.

Byrd, who cared deeply about workers and the struggles of working families, died at age 92, after serving a record 51 years in the U.S. Senate. In addition to CWA members and other trade unionists, President Obama, Vice President Biden, President Bill Clinton and elected officials from both parties attended the memorial service to remember Byrd.

Senator Edward Kennedy's widow, Victoria, spoke, recalling the moment last Christmas Eve when Byrd made his way to the Senate floor to vote for health care reform. "I was in the gallery, and tears flowed down my cheeks when he said, 'Mr. President, this is for my friend, Ted Kennedy,'" she said.