Current Actions

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  AT&T’s latest proposals for health care mean thousands of dollars in new costs for workers.

  • They’ve proposed massive increases to our deductibles — almost three times what they are now.
  • Our out-of-pocket maximums would triple under their plan.
  • In total, CWA calculates that the company’s proposal will cost the average employee more than $3,800 over the term of the contract.

  We will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to protect our families’ healthcare.

• Stop the Verizon Wireless/Big Cable Monopoly

  Verizon Wireless and the big cable companies don't want scrutiny of their deal to stop competing and become partners. By joining together and marketing each others' services, Verizon Wireless, Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House, and Cox will concentrate their power in the industry, becoming a virtual monopoly.

  We must have a public hearing in Congress to expose the truth about this deal. Take action today.

• Tell Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile

  Respect Your Workers in Connecticut

  Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile respect workers’ rights in Germany. The company just negotiated a two-year agreement with 50,000 T-Mobile workers and their union, ver.di.

  In the U.S., it’s a completely different story.

  In Connecticut, after nearly a year, T-Mobile USA continues to engage in only superficial bargaining and has hired union avoidance attorneys and consultants whose job is to stall negotiations.

  Connecticut's congressional delegation recently sent a letter to Deutsche Telekom CEO Rene Oberman expressing their concern.

  Join Senators Joe Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal and Representatives John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Chris Murphy by signing our petition.

• FUND OUR FUTURE: Stop the Cuts, Stop the Layoffs, Invest in Higher Ed!

  We, the undersigned Texans, call on the 83rd TEXAS LEGISLATURE to fully fund public higher education.

• Is American Airlines above the law?

  The National Mediation Board (NMB) set May 17 as the date for a union representation election for over 9,600 ticket, gate and reservation agents at American Airlines. But in a reckless disregard for the rule of law, American Airlines has simply decided to refuse to provide employees addresses so voting instructions for the election can be mailed by the NMB.

  Use our simple form below to send a letter to National Mediation Board General Counsel Mary Johnson asking her to stand up to American Airlines and ensure the election moves forward.

• Thank them for standing with us

  The Connecticut congressional delegation is standing with us on T-Mobile. The company has used every trick in the book to union bust and scare workers away from collective bargaining. Even after 15 T-Mobile workers in Connecticut won an election for union representation, T-Mobile continues to delay negotiations and intimidate workers.

  The entire state Congressional Delegation recently signed on to support Connecticut’s T-Mobile workers. Please use this simple tool to send them a message and let them know that you value their support.

• Tell the RNC: Stop Outsourcing Attacks to Foreign Call Centers

   

  On Thursday May 3, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus led a conference call to launch the party’s campaigns in Ohio and Virginia. On the call, Priebus and other Republicans attacked President Obama -- calling him "not good enough for America.”

  But apparently, American workers are not good enough for the GOP. That’s right: the call was offshored to a company based in the Philippines. Instead of supporting legislation that would put Americans back to work and end giveaways to companies that outsource, Republicans are using foreign call centers to attack the President.

  Sign the petition to the RNC today and urge them to stop outsourcing political attacks and start supporting legislation that would strengthen and revitalize the U.S. call center industry.

  To sign, fill out your information then scroll down to click the "Add Your Name" button.

• ¿Está de acuerdo con esto?

  El 22 de marzo, T-Mobile de EE. UU. anunció el cierre de siete centros de llamadas en todo el país, muchos de los cuales son centros bilingües en comunidades latinas.

  La decisión deja sin empleo a 3.300 estadounidenses, entre los que se incluyen varios empleados leales pertenecientes a comunidades latinas, que son fundamentales para el alcance nacional de T-Mobile.

  Escríbale al CEO de T-Mobile, Philipp Humm, para informarle que no está de acuerdo con esto. Dígale que el cierre de estos centros de llamadas representa una herida para los trabajadores incansables de los Estados Unidos, especialmente en las comunidades latinas, que son tan importantes para el éxito de T-Mobile.

  Personalice el siguiente borrador e incluya su propia historia en el mensaje. Incluso una o dos oraciones que manifiesten el modo en que la reducción de puestos impacta en comunidades como la suya servirán de potente mensaje para Philipp Humm.

• Sign the Petition: No Back Room Trade Deals for the 1%

  The vast majority of Americans have been barred by the U.S. Trade Representative from reviewing its proposals for the massive new Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement.  Meanwhile, approximately 600 corporate lobbyists have regular access to the negotiating texts as so-called "cleared advisors."  Please help put an end to this type of back room dealmaking by demanding that negotiators release the texts.

• SB 1161 Stinks!

  AT&T is sponsoring another corporate power grab at the expense of California consumers and CWA workers.

  California Senate Bill 1161 would end enforcement of basic consumer protections--like service quality standards, protection against "cramming," and help resolving customer complaints.

  • No more protection for low-income customers, like "LifeLine," and low cost service to rural customers.
  • No universal access for under-represented communities.
  • No enforcement of privacy rights.
  • No contract review with women, minority, and disabled veteran–owned businesses

  It's a nightmare for consumers, and it's a job-killer for CWA members. It just plain stinks!

  The California Commissioners will be discussing and taking a position on the bill at their May 10th meeting.

  Contact Commissioners Peevey, Simon, Florio, Sandoval, and Ferron and tell them to say NO to SB 1161.

• An equal dollar raise is the decent thing to do!

  Tennessee's campuses work because you do! Now that lawmakers have passed our state budget, effectively approving a 2.5% pay raise for all state workers, communicate with the two system heads that we need an equal dollar raise. Why? Because it's the decent thing to do. Percentage raises are unfair because they disproportionately benefit the people already making the most. While a university president would receive a raise of $7,000-$10,000, many secretaries, custodians, and even teaching staff would receive just $425-$700. In a time of unprecedented income inequality, what we need is an equal dollar raise, so that those who need raises the most get the most they can. 
  

  An equal dollar raise is the decent thing to do!
  As a percentage raise, the state pays twice for poverty wages - first in the pay checks and second as workers have to rely on food stamps, WIC, and other social safety net programs to make ends meet. We make a huge public investment with this raise, an estimated $44.8 million for higher education workers alone. As an equal dollar pay raise, this investment benefits everyone, especially workers who can’t make ends meet. 
  
  Last year's minimum raises at UT and TBR were a good start. It would be a shame for campus workers to see less than these minimum raises in 2012.

• A flat dollar raise is the decent thing to do!

  Tennessee's campuses work because you do! Now that lawmakers have passed our state budget, effectively approving a 2.5% pay raise for all state workers, communicate with the two system heads that we need a flat dollar raise. Why? Because it's the decent thing to do. Percentage raises are unfair because they disproportionately benefit the people already making the most. While President DiPietro of UT would receive a raise of nearly $10,500, many secretaries, custodians, and even teaching staff would receive just $500. In a time of unprecedented income inequality, what we need is a flat dollar raise, so that those who need raises the most get the most they can. 
  

  A flat dollar raise is the decent thing to do!
  As a percentage raise, the state pays twice for poverty wages - first in the pay checks and second as workers have to rely on food stamps, WIC, and other social safety net programs to make ends meet. We make a huge public investment with this raise, an estimated $44.8 million for higher education workers alone. As a flat dollar pay raise, this investment benefits everyone, especially workers who can’t make ends meet. 
  
  Last year's minimum raises at UT and TBR were a good start. It would be a shame for campus workers to see less than these minimum raises in 2012.

• Thank them for standing with us

  54 Senators stood with working people to reject a Republican plan to undermine or democratic rights at work by overturning the new NLRB rule which provides fair and timely elections.

  Send a message to to thank them for standing with working people.

• They’ve stood by US call center workers, let’s stand with them

  116 Representatives have sponsored the US Call Center Bill, but now offshoring corporations are lobbying hard against keeping jobs in the USA.
  
  Help them stand strong by sending a message to your Congress member to thank them for supporting the US Call Center Bill. If they don’t hear your voice, you can bet they will be hearing from the other side.
  
  Use this simple tool to find out if your Representative has signed up to support the bill and send them a thank you message.

• Tell Albany: Get corporate money out of politics

  New York has some of the laxest campaign finance rules in America. Big money donors buy access and influence for special interests, and crowd out the rest of us. The Fair Elections plan, modeled after the successful system of public financing in New York City would make New York a national model.

  The plan will allow candidates to run for office and win without needing to cozy up to big money backers. Instead, they’ll listen to people who care about the issues in the district.

  Tell Governor Coumo and your State Senator - support fair elections

• Tell Your Legislators: NO on HB 2571, focus on jobs and improving education

  Instead of working to create good jobs, protect our neighborhoods, and improve our schools, politicians in Arizona have launched an attack that will hurt all Arizona families.
  
  HB 2571 would get rid of the civil service safeguards that protect us all from the politicians who want to reward cronies, contributors and their friends and family.  HB 2571 would give politicians and bureaucrats control over training and job procedures instead of those who provide vital services to our communities.
  
  Enter your zip code below and tell the politicians that it's time to stop the attacks and focus on creating jobs and helping middle class Arizona families.
  

• Protect Workers Rights - Email Your Senators

  Our rights to fair, democratic elections are under attack.  Big business and extremist Republicans in Congress have teamed up and are using a procedural gimmick to deny workers' access to fair, democratic elections. The U.S. Senate will vote on this important issue this week.

  Use the form below to send a message to your Senators and tell them to protect America's wokers and vote NO on Resolution 36.

• They’ve stood by US call center workers, let’s stand with them

  116 Representatives have sponsored the US Call Center Bill, but now offshoring corporations are lobbying hard against keeping jobs in the USA.
  
  Help them stand strong by sending a message to your Congress member to thank them for supporting the US Call Center Bill. If they don’t hear your voice, you can bet they will be hearing from the other side.
  
  Use this simple tool to find out if your Representative has signed up to support the bill and send them a thank you message.

• Are you okay with this?

  T-Mobile is closing seven call centers around the U.S., a decision that will eliminate the livelihood of 3,300 families -- even as the company outsources work to Asia and Central America.

  Are you okay with that?

  Write T-Mobile’s CEO Philipp Humm and tell him to keep U.S. call centers open.

  Feel free to use our draft message below, but including your story or message is the best way to tell Philipp Humm that there are real people who care about these job cuts.

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• Are you okay with this?

  On March 22, T-Mobile announced the closing of seven call centers around the U.S., a decision that will eliminate the livelihood of 3,300 families -- even as the company outsources work to Asia and Central America.

  Are you okay with that?

  Write T-Mobile’s CEO Philipp Humm and tell him to keep U.S. call centers open.

  Feel free to use our draft message below, but including your story or message is the best way to tell Philipp Humm that there are real people who care about these job cuts. A sentence or two from you is the most powerful message there is.

• Just $1: Tennessee's campuses work because you do!

  United Campus Workers members showed up in force from across the state at our March 7 Lobby Day & Rally, meeting with our Senators & Representatives about an equal dollar pay raise and due process rights, and rallying on the capitol steps. We also spoke out against the living wage repeal bill, and our rally made national news with the headline Workers Oppose Anti-Living Wage Legislation. See a video from News Channel 5 in Nashville, and photos by UT-Chattanooga member Jared Story. The AP story hit media outlets all over Tennessee and from Mississippi to New England, as well as CBS and MSNBC. 

  It’s Not Over!
  The list of increased costs is long: from health insurance, parking, and groceries, to childcare, housing, and transportation - not to mention out of control gas prices. The 2.5% raise proposed by Governor Haslam this year does not go far enough. As a percentage raise, the state pays twice for poverty wages - first in the pay checks and second as workers have to rely on food stamps, WIC, and other social safety net programs to make ends meet. Under this proposal, a typical staff employee would receive a $425-$700 annual raise, while a university president would get $7,000-$10,000 from taxpayers as their annual raise. State budget analysts estimate $44.8 million as the price tag for higher education employees alone. As an equal dollar pay raise, this huge public investment benefits everyone, especially workers who can’t make ends meet. Our proposal for a $1 per hour pay raise for all higher education employees would help close the increasing wage gap between the highest paid administrators and other campus staff and faculty - and can be accomplished for an amount close to the existing price tag! A lot can change during the final days of budget negotiations. Governor Haslam will issue his budget amendment earlier than normal (this week), so emails from you are more important NOW than ever!

  This is not one of those form letters. The Governor and Finance Committee Chairs need to hear what 1 pay raise in 5 years has meant to you and your family, vs. what $1 an hour pay raise could mean. Enter your zip code below to contact them now.
  

• Send a message: Stand with Bakersfield Prem Techs

  AT&T Prem Techs in Bakersfield, CA have been unfairly disciplined and docked an hour’s pay for nothing more than proudly wearing their CWA shirts, just like any other Thursday.

  With just 16 days to go until contract expiration, the company is cracking down, but we’re proud of our union

  When local management told them they couldn’t wear the shirts, they stood fast!

  Tell local boss Matt Hickey that we stand with our brothers and sisters. Then share this action with your colleagues because we’re union proud together.
  (Make sure you use a personal email address for this action, DO NOT use an AT&T work email address)

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• Tell Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam: Stop Being Greedy

  Verizon workers have seen the company rake in billions of dollars in the past four years, and compensate top executives with $283 million in salary and bonuses. And it just keeps getting worse: Verizon recently tripled the compensation of its CEO, Lowell McAdam—from $7.2 million to $23.1 million A YEAR.

  But when it comes to the 45,000 workers who have made their success possible, Verizon cries broke.

  Verizon has sent thousands of American jobs overseas and wants to outsource even more, gut pensions, charge current and retired employees thousands of dollars more for health benefits—even cut disability benefits for workers injured while doing their jobs.

  It's wrong. But together we have the power to make it right. Send this letter to Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam to let him know that you stand with Verizon workers against corporate greed and for a fair contract. Let him know that you expect him to treat the workers right and negotiate a fair contract now.

    To: Lowell McAdam
• Ask Governor Martinez, where are the jobs?

  New Mexico is crying out for jobs. But there are literally thousands of jobs sitting vacant because Susana Martinez has put them on hold.

  We need jobs and we need good quality services.Send a message to Gov Martinez & tell her New Mexico needs jobs and good services that work for the people.

• Stand up for your rights

  The Georgia State Assembly is voting on SB 469 to restrict your right to protest by turning many kinds of pickets and peaceful civil disobedience into a high misdemeanor offense.
  
  This bill is a direct attack on our first amendment rights to free speech and freedom of assembly.  Not only does it seek to intimidate and criminalize Georgians speaking out for economic justice - it would interfere with YOUR ability to join and support a union.
  
  We need to stop this attack on our rights. Send a message to your State Representative using the simple tool below, telling them to stop this attack on our rights.

• Say No to Verizonopoly

  Verizon Wireless is playing a real-life game of Monopoly -- striking a deal with cable providers to create a “quadruple play” behemoth and lock consumers into even higher prices. Verizon Wireless and the cable companies are trying to push this deal through in secret, without full disclosure of all the key details.

  If the deal goes through, it will be the death knell for competition between cable and telecom companies.  Verizon will have no incentive to challenge cable by building FiOS into new areas — meaning less competition, consumer choice, and higher prices for consumers. Less FiOS also means fewer jobs building, maintaining, servicing, and installing the network.

  The Senate will hold hearings on the deal on March 21. This gives us another chance to stand together and say that these companies should not be allowed to proceed behind a curtain of secrecy. Use our form below to send this message to your Senators today to urge them to say no to this secret deal.

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• Sign the petition against union busting at Pacifica

  The AFL-CIO has called Jackson-Lewis "the number one union-buster in America."

  So why is the progressive, nonprofit Pacifica radio network spending listener donations to hire this expensive law firm, known for its "brass knuckles style" and "take no prisoners approach" to scaring workers and violating their rights?

  Workers at Pacifica's Bay Area station, KPFA, see the move as "a declaration of war on the unions that represent Pacifica workers."

  "We fear it will lead to unnecessary legal expenses the network can ill afford, sour Pacifica's already dismal relationship with its union workers, and alienate many listener-supporters who do not want their donations to be handed over to one of organized labor's greatest enemies in the United States," workers said, in a letter to the Pacifica National Board.
  

  Tell Pacifica that donors to progressive and alternative radio DO NOT want their money going to "the Cadillac of union busters."

• Say no to working longer for less

  IBM is pushing a law in Congress that would make millions of high-tech workers like us have to work more hours for less money – we need to take a stand to stop that.
  
  It would mean almost anyone who does any maintenance, updating or repair to any computer could be forced to work without overtime, no matter how many hours they do.
  
  Send a message to your Senators and tell them to oppose The Computer Professionals Update Act, S. 1747.

• Support the Florida Call Center Bill

  Send a message to Speaker Cannon: Give this Bill a vote

  We are working to get a law passed in Florida’s state legislature that would help keep call center jobs in the USA.
  
  The bill, HB 649, supports people who work in call centers. It would stop corporations that hold big contracts with the state of Florida from shipping their call center jobs overseas.
  
  Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support this bill and it has already passed the State Senate. But time is running out for the bill in the House, so we are asking Speaker Cannon to bring the bill up for a vote in the State House.
  
  You can make a difference by sending a message to House Speaker Dean Cannon.

• Demand Justice for the Death of a CWA Member

  In January 2009, CWA member Sheri Sangji, a 23-year-old UCLA lab worker died an agonizing 18 days after a fire that never should have happened. It was her 11th week on the job and the recent college graduate had little lab experience, was provided no training, and wasn't given appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
  
  Her boss, chemistry professor Patrick Harran, asked Sheri to do an experiment that required transferring a hazardous chemical that burns on contact with air. He never asked Sheri if she had been trained, did not supervise her, and did not provide a flame-resistant lab coat and flame-resistant gloves. Instead, she was wearing synthetic latex gloves and a synthetic sweatshirt. Both of them melted onto her skin during the fire, which burned more than 40% of her body.
  
  The Cal/OSHA Bureau of Investigations showed that UCLA had a history of not trying to prevent injuries, and did not change its practices even after two graduate students were seriously injured in the same department both a year before and a week before the fatal fire.
  
  Eventually, LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley filed 3 felony criminal charges against UCLA, the UC Board of Regents, and Professor Patrick Harran on December 27, 2011. UCLA officials were surprised and outraged by the criminal charges, vowed to stand behind the professor, and painted Sheri as a “trained chemist” who could have prevented her own death by wearing PPE.

  Use our simple tool below to ask L.A. County's District Attorney Cooley to hold UCLA accountable. Join us in demanding justice for our UPTE-CWA Local 9119 member who died.

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• Support the Bill to keep Maryland Jobs in Maryland

  Maryland House Bill 865 would stop contractors from taking big taxpayer-funded grants and tax-breaks then shipping jobs overseas. The Bill would: Make State contractors disclose if they plan to send jobs overseas. Force contractors pay grants and loans back if they do ship jobs overseas. Give us a way to see where taxpayer-dollars are going to support jobs in other countries.

  A key decision will happen as soon as February 29th, so we need to take action. Please take a moment to use this easy to use tool to send a message to your State Senator.

• Protect Jobs and Quality Telephone Service

  Maryland state lawmakers are pushing a law that would make it easier for Verizon to sell off its wireline phone network to almost any company, with little oversight.

  In other states where wireline phones have been sold off, customers have been left without vital services, even emergency services, and good paying jobs have been lost.

  Send a message to Anapolis that we demand they do their job and keep good jobs maintaining our phone network.

• Support the Bill to keep Maryland Jobs in Maryland

  Senate Bill 659 would stop contractors from taking big taxpayer-funded grants and tax-breaks then shipping jobs overseas. The Bill would: Make State contractors disclose if they plan to send jobs overseas. Force contractors pay grants and loans back if they do ship jobs overseas. Give us a way to see where taxpayer-dollars are going to support jobs in other countries.

  A key decision will happen as soon as February 23rd, so we need to take action. Please take a moment to use this easy to use tool to send a message to your State Senator.

• Tell Kay Hagan: Stop Attacking the Middle Class

  Senator Kay Hagan has attacked the rights of thousands of working people.
  
  Instead of standing with working people, she voted with radical anti-union Republicans to reward the relentless corporate campaign to include unrelated, union-busting labor provisions in an aviation jobs bill.
  
  Now we need to send her a message so he knows we are paying attention to how she votes. Please take a moment to use our easy-to-use tool to let her know our rights at work should not be sold out.

• Don't Hang Up on Us

  New York consumers are already frustrated with the current state of phone service: hidden fees, endless service waits, unpredictable phone-line quality.  Language included in the New York state budget would permanently surrender the state's right to regulate internet and cable telephone service. If this language stays in the budget there would be:

  • No protection from higher rates for consumers
  • No protection from poor service for frustrated customers
  • No guarantee of universal “lifeline” access for senior, disabled or lower-income consumers
  • No guarantee of service quality
  • No guarantee for access for customers in remote and rural areas

  Use our simple tool to write to your New York state legislators today to ask them to get this language out of the budget.

• Tell Jim Cooper: Stop Attacking the Middle Class

  Representative Jim Cooper has attacked the rights of thousands of working people.
  
  Instead of standing with working people, he voted with radical anti-union Republicans to reward Delta Air Lines and their relentless campaign to include unrelated, union-busting labor provisions in an aviation jobs bill.
  
  Now we need to send him a message so he knows we are paying attention to how he votes. Please take a moment to use our easy-to-use tool to let him know our rights at work should not be sold out.

• Stop VoIP Telephony Deregulation

  Regulation provides Good Customer Service and supports Good Middle-Class Union Jobs
  
  Yet, Governor Cuomo has decided to assist telecommunication giants with a pre-emptive deregulation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in his 2012 State Budget.  This could strip millions of New Yorkers of critical regulatory protections and good Middle-Class jobs.  
  
  For decades, telephone service has been at least partially regulated because it is an essential public service.  But VoIP, which is currently in a regulatory gray area, is now the dominant telecommunications voice technology.  
  
  The State Budget should not be used as a vehicle for legislative activity, especially when the proposed budget language has no budgetary implications.  Passing good law requires careful analysis not a slip between the pages gimmick to avoid deeper analysis for important complex public policy.  
  
  Tell you State Representatives to Oppose using the Budget to Legislate the Pre-Emptive Deregulation of VoIP Telephone service.  

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• Thank your Senator for standing with working people

  

  On Monday February 6th, the Senate voted to make it even harder for people in the airline and railroad industries to work together and bargain collectively.

  15 Democratic Senators stood against the majority and with working people. Please send a message of thanks to your Senator.

  It will only take a few moments to send a message using this simple tool. A message in your own words is more powerful, but you can use the letter we've prepared for you.

• Thank your Senator for standing with working people

  On Monday February 6th, the Senate voted to make it even harder for people in the airline and railroad industries to work together and bargain collectively.

  15 Democratic Senators stood with working people. Please send a message of thanks to your Senator.

  It will only take a few moments to send a message using this simple tool. A message in your own words is more powerful, but you can use the letter we've prepared for you.

• Will Senate Democrats Stand Up to the GOP?

  Radical anti-union Republican members of Congress have launched a sneak attack on collective bargaining rights for airline and railroad workers. They've included drastic changes to existing labor law in a bill that is designed to enhance aviation safety and security.

  And they are just hours from getting their way.

  The legislation passed the House of Representatives on Friday. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Rep. George Miller and 157 Democrats stood strong for workers’ rights, but the the right-wing majority prevailed. The Senate will debate the bill and vote today.

  We can stop this in the Senate TODAY if 41 Senators say enough is enough and demand that the bill be sent back for revision to remove the anti-union attack, which is unrelated to the purpose of the bill.

  Watch CWA President Larry Cohen explain what's at stake, then use our form below to write your Senators today or call 1-888-516-5820 and make sure that these changes are removed from the FAA Reauthorization bill.

• Stop This Radical Threat to Workers' Rights

  Radical anti-union members of Congress are attempting to rewrite the Railway Labor Act and change the role of the National Mediation Board without debate or discussion. They have included drastic changes to the law in the FAA Reauthorization bill.

  The changes these radicals are seeking would:

  • Make it much harder for airline and railroad workers to hold union representation elections.
  • Threaten airline and railroad workers’ right to a secret ballot during union representation campaigns, allowing for management intimidation and retaliation.
  • Allow airline and railroad management to decertify unions without an election in a merger.

  Use our form below to write Congress today and make sure that these changes are removed from the FAA Reauthorization bill.

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• Delay the STAR+PLUS Roll-out in the Valley

  Contact your repesentatives to ask HHSC Executive Commissioner Suehs to delay the Valley STAR+PLUS roll-out.  We need our Valley legislators to let Commissioner Suehs know that the Valley is different!

  To send your letter, enter your zipcode below and follow the steps.  A pre-written form letter will load by default but feel free to customize it.  Adding a paragraph that personalizes the message is recommeded but not necessary.  Don't forget to add a salutation and signature to the letter.

• Stop Verizon Tax-Dodging and Union-Busting

  From 2008 – 2010, despite billions in profits, Verizon paid no federal income taxes. Anyone that paid even a penny in federal income taxes paid more than Verizon did from 2008 – 2010. At the same time, Verizon is trying to destroy middle class jobs.

  Watch Verizon workers in this short video talk about it, then scroll down to take action.

  Add your name to our petition today!

• Take Action On This

  This is an important action for you to take today!

• Get Corporate Money Out of Politics

  We need to take our Democracy Back.
  Help get corporate money out of politics by telling Congress to overturn the Citizens United ruling that opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate spending on elections.

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• CWA/AT&T Midwest Bargaining Resolution

  As CWA prepares to enter negotiations with AT&T/Midwest Region over the contract that expires on April 7, 2012, we must make sure AT&T addresses our members’ key issues. Will AT&T work with CWA and its members as it develops strategies to meet a changing competitive and technological environment or will it take the low road of layoffs and outsourcing?

  AT&T is the most successful company in the industry, in large part, because it has chosen a strategy which depends upon products and technologies which can best be brought together in bundled offerings, relying on union members to carry out the plan. A quality workforce needs quality benefits, pension, wages and employment security.

  Sign the Resolution:

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• One single pay raise in 5 years just won't cut it.

  Our already thin paychecks are shrinking by the day as a bad economy and 1 pay raise in 5 years take their toll.  The list of increased costs is long: from health insurance, parking, and groceries, to childcare, housing, and transportation. 

  On January 30, 2012 Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam will deliver his second State of the State Address.  At this address to a joint session of the legislature the governor will introduce his budget, including whether or not he will propose a pay raise for higher education employees this year.  

  We haven't planned on waiting for the legislature to reconvene to begin our push for living wages and just compensation - in fact on campuses across the state union members are already leading campaigns for salary equity, wages that provide decent lives for our families, and basic dignity at work.  We need to remind our governor that we expect living wages, fair pay and an equal dollar pay raise in his budget.  One single pay raise in 5 years just doesn't cut it.
  

  This is not one of those form letters. Take 30 seconds to write about what the economic crisis means for you and your family.  The governor needs to hear what 1 pay raise in 5 years means.
  

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• Bring call center jobs back home

  

  Tell Congress to support The United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Bill

  With American families struggling, it's time for companies to bring good jobs home. Foreign call centers not only ship jobs abroad, but they endanger our confidential personal information because they operate without US data regulation.

  You can tell lawmakers to support the US Call Center Bill.  The Bill would build jobs in America by:

  Creating a customers' right to know - Ending the secrecy about call center locations, so outsourcers and offshorers can't hide anymore.

  Forcing companies that outsource abroad to return federal funding - Because our hard earned tax-dollars shouldn't go to support corporations that ship American jobs to foreign countries.

  Giving you the right to be transferred to a US-based operator.

  But we need your support. Members of Congress will only sign on if they hear our voices loud and clear. Use our simple tool to send a message to your US Representative.

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• Stand with Rep. Bishop's Call Center Bill

  Stand with Rep. Tim Bishop's US Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Bill

  Representative Bishop is standing up for middle class Americans in his new Call Center Bill. The Call Center Bill would support American workers and protect consumers by:

  Denying taxpayer cash to off-shorers: by creating a bad actor list that would stop companies that ship jobs abroad from getting Federal loans and grants and send them to the back of the line for government contracts.

  Giving you the right to know: requires call center agents to tell you where they are talking to you from.

  Giving you the right to transfer to a US operator: so that when you don't want a foreign call center, you have the right to be transferred to a US-based operator.

  Sign your name below to support the Bill

• Respect the First Amendment

  We’ve now faced a spate of journalist arrests as governments have moved to close down “Occupy” camps. Now, more than ever, we need to understand the “Occupy movement.” Journalists who are incarcerated can’t get their stories out.
  
  Most notably, New York City prevented journalists from doing their work. With overly harsh tactics, Mayor Michael Bloomberg played a strong hand in forcing protestors out of Zuccotti Park.
  
  As citizens we need to know the true story of “Occupy,” and we need to know how law enforcement handles the protestors. The First Amendment allows peaceful protests, and the ability to report on them – especially when that peace is shattered for whatever reason. Blocking journalists from reporting suggests there is something to hide.
  
  Please take a minute to tell Mayor Bloomberg to act responsibly. Tell him that the First Amendment matters. Tell him he is sending the wrong message to America when he arrests journalists trying to document the actions of their government and the protestors.
  
  The Newspaper Guild-CWA is helping journalists covering "Occupy" with a Facebook page called "Occupied Journalists" where stories can be shared, and help can be sought.
  
  Let journalists work and keep America strong. Sign the petition to Mayor Bloomberg telling him that this is America, where the First Amendment still matters.

• (No Title)

• Stop Pay and Band Level Cuts for IBM Workers

  Last week, IBM executives informed service technicians and other support workers that band levels would be lowered and their pay cut. While the company enjoys $53 billion in net income and free cash flow of $8 billion, IBM refuses to share the company's success.

  IBM is not a company in distress, yet management still attacks workers' standards of living.
  
  Use our easy tool to tell IBM management to reverse this demeaning and unacceptable decision.

  You can use the letter we've written for you below, but personalized letters in your own words are more effective.

• Test for Petition

  Workers at the University of Memphis are fighting to be paid a living wage. Last year because of the efforts of campus workers, community supporters, faith leaders and students workers saw their first pay increase in 4 years. But this was only a first step. Workers deserve a living wage of at least $11.62 with employer provided health benefits. 

  Please take a moment and sign this petition to University of Memphis President Dr. Shirley Raines, and show your support.

• Protect your rights at work

  Tell Congress to keep workplace elections fair

  Extremist Republicans in Congress are trying to gut our rights at work, by stacking the rules against working people who want to join a  union.

  Their bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act (HR 3094) would be grossly unfair. This bill would:

  •    Allow employers to indefinitely delay a union election and have more time to intimidate and harass employees;
  •    Encourage marathon pre-election hearings – again, further delaying workers’ right to an election.
  •    Rig bargaining units to favor employers, throwing out 75 years of case law and making it even more difficult to have a fair election.

  Help stop this unfair attack on your rights at work by using our simple tool to send a message to your member of the House of Representatives. You can use the text we've provided below, but personalized letters have a greater impact.

• (No Title)

• Passenger Announcement to USAirways Express: Give workers a break!

  USAirways Express is hitting its customers with bad service and treating its workers even worse.

  Baggage handlers make as little as $8 an hour doing tough, heavy work.  They are expected to work days, nights and weekends to make the company run, but while baggage handlers and drivers are getting poverty pay, USAirways corporate executives are raking in the cash - over $10 million for the top five executives. But a year since workers voted for CWA collective bargaining, the company is refusing to negotiate in good faith for a fair contract.

  Tell USAirways Express/Piedmont's CEO, Steve Farrow, to bargain in good faith and stand by his workers, who just want a fair wage and good benefits for a hard day's work.
  

  You can use the letter we've written for you below, but personalized letters in your own words are more effective.

• Stand with working journalists covering Occupy Oakland

  Protect working journalists: Send a letter asking Oakland police and officials not to detain, attack or otherwise interfere with journalists covering "Occupy Oakland" protests.

• Bring call center jobs back home

  Tell Congress to support The United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Bill

  With American families struggling, it's time for companies to bring good jobs home. Foreign call centers not only ship jobs abroad, but they endanger our confidential personal information because they operate without US data regulation.

  You can tell lawmakers to support the US Call Center Bill.  The Bill would build jobs in America by:

  Creating a customers' right to know - Ending the secrecy about call center locations, so outsourcers and offshorers can't hide anymore.

  Forcing companies that outsource abroad to return federal funding - Because our hard earned tax-dollars shouldn't go to support corporations that ship American jobs to foreign countries.

  Giving you the right to be transferred to a US-based operator.

  But we need your support. Members of Congress will only sign on if they hear our voices loud and clear. Use our simple tool to send a message to your US Representative.

• OSE ISSUE(s) Page

  Choose your Issues and Comment

• (No Title)

• After the Colombia vote: Send a message

  Too many of our members of Congress failed to stand up for working families in America AND in Colombia. Instead of voting to reject a trade deal that will kill American jobs and reward human rights abuses in Colombia, a majority in Congress voted for the deal.

  You can use this easy tool to find out whether your Representative voted for the Agreement. If one of your Senators or your Representative did vote for it, you will be given the opportunity to send them a message - they need to know that we are holding them accountable.

• Stand up for quality service at Verizon

  Good jobs at Verizon mean good service
  Tell New York Attorney General Schneiderman to investigate Verizon to Protect Customers

  Waiting for Verizon repairs stinks! For years, Verizon has cut service quality for landline and DSL customers.  The company has slashed its workforce in half and refuses to replace deteriorated elements of the traditional phone network.  The remaining technicians must cannibalize existing copper cables and other network equipment, which is often aging, worn out or already damaged.

  The New York State Public Service Commission is charged by law to fight for New York’s consumers.  But in 2005, they stopped issuing fines when Verizon failed to make repairs on time – and service quality declined even more.

  We're left hanging.

  By late 2010, Verizon was fixing just 1.2% of New Yorkers’ phones within 24 hours.  That’s 78.8% lower than the 80% standard that Verizon is – on paper – required to follow.  But instead of forcing Verizon to improve service to meet their 80% standard for repairs within 24 hours, the New York Public Service Commission allowed Verizon to change how it reports service quality.

  CWA members are fighting for good jobs and good service quality.  The recent rain storms and hurricane have made service quality problems even worse.

  We must hold Verizon and the PSC accountable.  Describe your customer service issue below and we will forward the information to New York Attorney General Schneiderman and urge him to launch an investigation into declining service quality at Verizon.  New York needs good jobs and good telecommunications service!

• Protect your job, say no to murder

  Tell Congress: Oppose the Colombia Trade Agreement

  Congress is once again preparing to vote on the Colombia free trade agreement.
  
  Colombia has a record of shame for working people: poor conditions, restricted bargaining rights and a list of thousands of men and women murdered for nothing more than joining a union. 
  
  But despite that, Congress is considering signing a free trade agreement that would ship American jobs to the murder capital of the world for working people.  Our jobs are at risk and union members in Colombia don't want this deal.
  
  Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to your Senators and Representatives urging them to oppose the deal, and we will hand deliver them on October 4.
  
  We have provided a sample letter below, but the most effective messages are written in your own words. Even a single, short paragraph will help show Congress that without fair labor standards, there is no such thing as free trade – only a race to the bottom.

• Tell Sprint: Stop the Attacks

  As a Credo customer, you should know that there is some really ugly stuff happening at Sprint. Sprint is the network provider for Credo, so as a Credo customer you are also a Sprint customer.

  Someone at Sprint is trying to bully people who support the AT&T/T-Mobile merger with outrageous, anonymous comments on CWA's "Eye on Sprint" website. As one poster wrote:

  The CWA is nothing but a bunch of cry baby, whining, socialists!! All unions are socialists. Unions: Created for the weak minded.

  This kind of ignorance would be funny if it wasn't coming from Sprint's headquarters. Sprint has a long history of anti-worker efforts, including outsourcing jobs and blocking employee organizing efforts. It's not suprising that the corporate culture at Sprint produces these kinds of ill-informed attacks on workers.

  You may support Sprint's opposition to the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, but that doesn't mean that you support Sprint's attacks on workers.

  Tell Sprint CEO Dan Hesse that Sprint's anti-union culture is unacceptable to Credo customers who pay to use Sprint's network. Use this simple tool to send him an email and stand in support of workers' rights.

• Tell Sprint: Stop the Attacks

  As part of its opposition to the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, someone at Sprint is trying to bully people who support the merger with outrageous, anonymous comments on CWA's "Eye on Sprint" website. As one poster wrote:

  The CWA is nothing but a bunch of cry baby, whining, socialists!! All unions are socialists. Unions: Created for the weak minded.

  This kind of ignorance would be funny if it wasn't coming from Sprint's headquarters. Sprint has a long history of anti-worker efforts, including outsourcing jobs and blocking employee organizing efforts. It's not suprising that the corporate culture at Sprint produces these kinds of ill-informed attacks on workers.

  Tell Sprint CEO Dan Hesse that Sprint's anti-union culture is unacceptable. Use this simple tool to send him an email and stand in support of workers' rights.

• (No Title)

• Congress: Drop the Attacks, Put Jobs First

  Some Republicans in Congress are putting their corporate donors ahead of creating jobs for Americans..

  In July, they cost taxpayers $400 million in lost revenue and put 100,000 out of work, all because their big corporate airline donors, like Delta, want to add an extreme, unrelated union-busting provision to the FAA Reauthorization bill. They want to impose an election standard on airline workers that doesn't apply anywhere else in our democracy. They even want to count non-voters as NO votes.

  Congress passed a temporary funding bill to resolve the crisis, but that bill will expire at the end of the  year.

  Make sure your representatives know that you won’t stand for political game-playing with American jobs. Use our simple tool to send a letter to your Representative urging them to oppose the deal.

  We have provided a draft letter below, but the most effective messages are always written in your own voice. Even one short paragraph will send a message loud and clear that we won’t stand for these continued political games.

• P.O.D.E.R. Commit to ACTION - Sign On!

  Join The P.O.D.E.R. Network,

  Receive vital updates and information on the struggle for Workers' Rights in New Mexico.

  P.O.D.E.R. is (People Organized to Defend Employee Rights) also a word, in Espanol, meaning strength or power.

• President Bell: Keep the Tech Family Together, Don't Outsource TTU Custodians!

  Tennessee Technological University (TTU) continues to pursue outsourcing Tech custodians, even while it grows more and more unpopular. Over 1,000 petition signers and hundreds on campus wearing purple ribbons agree.

  President Bob Bell needs to do the right thing: Keep the Family Together, Don't Outsource Tech Custodians. When one university outsources, all of us stand to lose. Tomorrow it could be your employer. Stand with Tech custodians and send a letter to President Bell today.

• NM Public Employees Fight to Defend Fair Labor Contract

  Dear Union Brothers and Sisters,

  
  

      Led by corporate contracted, high paid, union busting firm, Management Associates Inc., the Martinez Administration fired a major shot in New Mexico's battle over public employees’ collective bargaining rights. Gov. Martinez proposes rolling back 25 years worth of hard won gains. Everything from comp and overtime, workload standards, sick leave for family care, and safety in the workplace have been targeted for elimination. If you were wondering when a Wisconsin style attack on workers' rights would arrive, it is here. 

       The CWA 7076 bargaining team proposed opening a handful of articles, intending to bargain over contract improvements in good faith.  The outrageous proposals by the state make it crystal clear, Governor Martinez has no interest in the quality of public employees’ work-life. In obedience to the entitled corporate interests she serves, Governor Martinez aims to use her executive powers during bargaining to deal a terrible blow on the middle class and progressive labor movement.  Should public employees and the services we provide be crushed as a result, then that is fine with the Martinez administration.
  
       The state's proposals are designed to silence the voice of New Mexico Workers. Every union member should be involved in this bargaining process by writing letters, and talking with your co-workers, supervisors, family and friends.  

  Enter your address below -- Edit your letter and scroll down to submit letter to your Legislators.
  (contact us if your address does not automatically pull up your legislator)
  

  
  

• Send a message to the FAA shutdown crew

  Tell Congress: Union busting won't fly
  

  Some Republicans in Congress are trying to use the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration to force unfair election on workers in the aviation industry.

  In July, they shut down the FAA, costing taxpayers $400 million in lost revenue and put 100,000 out of work, all because their big corporate airline donors, like Delta, want to add an extreme, unrelated union-busting provision. They want to mpose an election standards on airline workers that doesn't apply anywhere else in our democracy. They even want to count non-voters as NO votes.

  Tell your representative that we want them to pass a clean FAA reauthorization before the end of the year, without the extreme, unrelated union-busting provision. Use our smiple tool to send a letter to your Representative, urging them to oppose the deal.

  We have provided a draft letter below, but the most effective messages are always written in your own voice. Even one short paragraph will send a message loud and clear that we won't stand for these continued attacks on bargaining rights.

• Send a Message of Solidarity

  45,000 Verizon workers are back to work and unified as one with their brothers and sisters and community supporters.  Our collective fight for the American Dream continues.

  Our work is far from complete. Our strike objective from the beginning was a real collective bargaining process. Your support was essential to creating that opportunity. Now begins the hard work of negotiating a fair contract.

  If wealthy corporations like Verizon continue to outsource jobs and hold down worker wages, there is no hope for an economic recovery. This is why our fight is your fight and why your support is so important.

  Sign our solidarity message to Verizon workers today, and we'll deliver your comments to them.

• Countdown to Shutdown

  Union Busting Won't Fly

  Delta Air Lines is holding billions of dollars in funding for crucial FAA projects hostage by insisting that Congress pass new, undemocratic rules for airline workers trying to organize a union. Delta wants union elections to count workers who don't take part as voting "No"--an absurd demand that would undermine the entire system of majority-rule voting.

  The rules are under debate now, Delta's powerful allies in Congress are holding up a long-term solution by continueing to insist on the new election rule.

  Without a long-term Reauthorization Bill, job-creating airport infrastructure projects and critical security improvements are on hold.  And we run the risk of another FAA sutdown at the end of the year.

  Sign the petition below to send Delta a clear message that union-busting won't fly.

• Stand With Frontier Communications Workers

  Last year, Verizon sold its wireline assets to Frontier Communications in 14 states, including West Virginia. Thousands of former Verizon workers--members of CWA and IBEW--now work for Frontier. The Company said it would honor the Verizon contracts it inherited when it was lobbying to make the purchase, but now Frontier executives are calling those contracts too "rich and unrealistic."

  Frontier CEO Maggie Wilderotter has said that her goal is to lower the standards in those contracts to "legacy contract levels." What does she mean? Several hundred Frontier employees who worked for the company before the sale (known as "legacy" employees) have contracts that provide for lower wages and lesser benefits than those in their former Verizon co-workers contracts. Frontier's clearly stated goal is to gut the contracts of CWA and IBEW members who worked for Verizon in West Virginia when their contract expires in 2013.

  In the meantime, "legacy" members are negotiating their contracts in West Virginia and fighting to raise their standards to those of their co-workers who do the same work.

  Frontier executives (who gave themselves hefty pay raises and bonuses after the Verizon sale went through last year) are watching the Verizon strike very closely. They want back up for their bogus argument that the former Verizon contract is too "rich and unrealistic."

  The fight to save the middle class and protect the American Dream is taking place on the picket lines of Verizon, at the negotiating table for Frontier Communications, and everywhere Americans are standing up and saying "enough is enough."

  Use our form below to send a letter to CEO Wilderotter today.

• Tell Verizon: Stop Attacking the Middle Class

  Thank You!

  During the past two weeks, over 200,000 supporters sent messages urging Verizon to come to the bargaining table in good faith.

  Those messages made a difference. Thanks to the unity of the striking workers and public displays of support for bargaining rights, striking Verizon workers will return to work on Tuesday, August 22 with their contract back in force and bargaining restructured.

  Together, we have taken a stand for middle-class jobs in America.

• Stand Up for Seniors

  Tell Congress: Hands Off Our Medicare

  For nearly 60 years, our country has kept a commitment to seniors and retirees – providing health coverage and a secure retirement regardless of one’s ability to pay.

  But today, some in Congress are considering breaking that promise in order to fund another round of corporate loopholes and tax breaks for billionaires. The House Republican Budget Plan would make deep cuts to Medicare, jeopardizing the benefits that millions of Americans rely on every day.

  Send a letter to your Senators and Members of Congress urging them to protect the American dream by voting down the Republican plan.

  We've provided a draft letter below, but your representatives are most likely to be influenced by a message written in your own voice. Even a brief paragraph will make clear that you won’t stand for more corporate tax breaks while seniors lose access to quality, affordable care.

• Let's Welcome the New Verizon CEO

  Lowell McAdam takes over as Verizon's CEO on August 1st. (Ivan Seidenberg will stay on as Chairman of the Board.)  This is the company's chance to redirect their approach to bargaining into productive negotiations instead of the overreaching demands they've made so far.

  McAdam also needs to know that if the company continues to go down the path it's on, he can be 100% certain we will do whatever is necessary to win a fair contract for the workers and retirees who built Verizon.

  Let's fill up McAdam's in box with thousands of messages. He needs to know that we're united and ready to fight!

  Use our simple tool below to send a message to McAdam.

• Protect Fair Union Elections

  Tell Congress: Stop Playing Politics With the FAA

  Congress is now considering a bill to reauthorize funding for the Federal Aviation Administration.

  But instead of speeding the creation of new jobs and bringing critical safety improvements to air traffic control systems, Republicans in the House are insisting on adding an extreme, unrelated union-busting provision. They want to impose an election standard on airline workers that doesn't apply anywhere else in our democracy. They even want to count non-voters as NO votes. Under this standard, not a single current Member of Congress would have won election to the House of Representatives.

  Make sure your representatives know that you won’t stand for political game-playing with American jobs. Use our simple tool to send a letter to Representative urging them to oppose the deal.

  We have provided a draft letter below, but the most effective messages are always written in your own voice. Even one short paragraph will send a message loud and clear that we won’t stand for these continued attacks on bargaining rights.

• Thank You, Representative Murphy
• Thank You, Representative Bishop

• Thank You, Senator Blumenthal
• Save Bargaining Rights

  Tell Congress: Oppose the Colombia Trade Agreement

  Before August, a new free trade agreement with Colombia will likely come to a vote in Congress.

  Colombia’s record of unfair treatment of workers, poor working conditions, and restricted bargaining rights speaks for itself. As we also struggle to protect workers’ rights in the United States, this agreement would move us further in the wrong direction by sanctioning an economic system designed to keep workers down.

  Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to your Senators and Representatives urging them to oppose the deal.

  We have provided a sample letter below, but the most effective messages are written in your own words. Even a single, short paragraph will help show Congress that without fair labor standards, there is no such thing as free trade – only a race to the bottom.

• (No Title)

• Stand Up for GE Workers

  Stand up for affordable health care and retirement security for all GE workers. Sign our petition and show GE that all of CWA supports IUE-CWA members and bargainers as negotiations head toward the Sunday, June 19 contract expiration deadline.

• Tell Governor Jerry Brown to Protect Farm Workers

  Right now, there are more than 400,000 field workers working on 80,000 farms in California.

  The state is unequipped to enforce the laws meant to protect them from exploitation and deadly working conditions.

  Farm workers are dying in the fields, but by signing the Fair Treatment of Farm Workers Act into law, Governor Brown can make sure that stops. This law makes it easier for farm workers to form a union, so that they have the voice to demand safe working conditions.

  Sign the petition to Jerry Brown today. Help give California farm workers the basic protections that every worker deserves.

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  
  
  

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  
  
  

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere.
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  

• FiOS Deployment Study Bill

  Verizon's FiOS network creates good, union jobs and delivers high-speed internet.  Verizon should build FiOS throughout New York State.  But currently, Verizon is not building the FiOS network everywhere. 
  
  
  That's why New York State should pass legislation to study the demographics of where Verizon is - and is not - building the network.
  
  
  Please send this e-mail right now to your NYS Senator and your NYS Assembly represenative in Albany!  New Yorkers need good, union jobs and access to high-speed internet.  Send your e-mail right now!
  

• FCC Change Will Result in Job Loss for NABET-CWA Members

  The FCC is asking if it should end a requirement that is certain to result in more job losses for NABET-CWA members. We need to let the FCC know the proposal to end the required public inspection files is bad for jobs and the public. The FCC licenses airwaves to broadcasters and the public inspection file allows citizens to monitor broadcasters and ensure they are upholding the requirements of their licenses.
  
  The FCC is seeking comments about the elimination of the public inspection files and NABET-CWA members need to make our voices heard.

  Use our form below to send your comments directly to the FCC.

  Note: We will also submit your comments to be part of the public record at the FCC.

• (No Title)

• Save Collective Bargaining

  Tell Your Legislators: Send Gov. Christie to the Table !

  Governor Christie’s plan is to deny us any voice at all when it comes to our health care benefits and to deal directly with the legislature. Some legislators are going along with this plan and we need to send them a clear message:

  DON’T DO THE GOVERNOR’S DIRTY WORK!

  Speaker Oliver has shown support for collective bargaining in the past but there are now news reports of backdoor dealing on health care with Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney and the Speaker.  Speaker Oliver stated that she would not go forward with a legislative approach unless she had the support of her caucus.  It’s time to make sure Assembly members hear us: Health Care Must Be Bargained!

  Call your Assembly members to urge them to support collective bargaining and to vote no on any legislation that takes away our right to negotiate health care. In addition, you can send your legislators an email using the form below. Please enter your zip code in the box below and you will see the email form as well as contact phone numbers for your Assembly Members.

  When making calls, make sure to remember these tips:

  • Make sure to call on your own time from your own phone.
  • State your name and identify yourself as a CWA 1036 member and a constituent (let the staff member know which town you live in). 
  • Tell the staff member that public employees have a long history of bargaining health care and we deserve a seat at the table. We have negotiated responsible contracts in the past and health care changes should not be imposed. Ask for the Assembly Member to vote "no" on any legislation that takes away our right to bargain health care.

• AT&T and T-Mobile: Support the Merger

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Let's get to the heart of the matter.

  T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for consumers and workers. It's not even close.

  As part of this deal, AT&T has committed to building out high-speed broadband service to nearly every part of the country within six years. That means more jobs for workers and better service for millions of Americans.

  This is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens. Sign our petition to show your support for the merger.

• 3 Generations Unity Petition

  Suport National CBC Negotiating Committees

  Note: This petition will be delivered to our National Negotiators

• UT and TBR -- support a decent cost of living increase!

   

  Tell UT President DiPietro and TBR Chancellor Morgan:

  All higher education employees need an equal dollar raise!

  The state mandated a 1.6% raise for all higher education employees does not go far enough! We need our administrators to do all they can to include additional funding for a raise if we are to begin to address the issues of pay and fairness on our campuses as we watch the wage gap between the highest paid administrators and the rest of us continue to increase.

  Please send a message to the UT President and the TBR Chancellor to tell them why they need to take it a step further and approve additional funds for an equal dollar raise!

• blah test
• AT&T and T-Mobile: The real deal

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for workers and consumers. It's not even close.

  Sprint has a long history of outsourcing work outside the U.S. and trampling labor rights here in America. When bilingual Sprint call center workers sought to join CWA, Sprint closed the center and moved the work to Mexico. At Sprint, Network management has been outsourced while up to 70% of customer contact work is being performed by third parties.

  AT&T, on the other hand, has remained neutral when its workers organize. As a result, CWA now represents 43,000 wireless workers at AT&T -- the only unionized wireless company.

  This merger is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens.

  The U.S. House will be holding hearings about the merger. Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to your Representative in support of AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA.

• Can't go lobbying today in Nashville? your voice is still needed!

   

  Tell your elected representatives to vote for an equal dollar cost of living raise for all higher education employees!

  

  
  

  Our proposal for an across-the-board cost of living raise for all higher education employees is gaining ground! We are making it clear that the 1.6% raise proposed by Governor Haslam does not go far enough, and it continues to ignore the increasing wage gap between the highest paid administrators and the lowest paid campus workers. If we want fair raises to become a reality, our legislators must know that what we think is important must also be what they vote to be important. A lot can change during the final days of budget negotiations--so let’s stay active during this critical time!

  And if you can't join us today at the legislature to meet in person with your elected representatives, you can still do your part by sending them an email or making a phone call! All of our voices are needed!

• Don't Close Mattina and Waterfront!

  Closing Mattina Community Health Center and Waterfront Health Care Center is a one-two punch to our area: hundreds of good health care jobs will be eliminated and thousands of patients will lose quality, affordable care.
  
  Send a message to CEO Jim Kaskie by using our simple tool below.

  Tell Kaskie it’s critical that Kaleida stays focused on the front line, not just the bottom line.

• Let's bring quality journalism back to Kingston!

  Below is the message that GreatWhig.ca wants Quebecor to hear. Please fill in your name and email address and click the "Send Your Message" button. This will add your name to the GreatWhig.ca petition. The message will also be forwarded to Quebecor's CEO, Pierre Karl Péladeau, and to the Whig-Standard's publisher, Ron Laurin.

• AT&T and T-Mobile: The real deal

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Let's get to the heart of the matter.

  T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for workers and consumers. It's not even close.

  While Sprint has a long history of opposition to union membership, AT&T has remained neutral to its workers' organizing efforts. Moreover, as part of this deal, AT&T has committed to building out high-speed broadband service to nearly every part of the country within six years. That means more jobs for workers and better service for millions of Americans.

  This is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens. The Federal Communications Commission is currently reviewing the agreement, and as part of its review the commissioners are taking comments from the public.

  Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to the FCC in support of AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA.

  We have provided a sample letter, but it is important that the FCC hear why you support AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA in your own words. Your letter does not need to be as long as the sample letter - even a single paragraph will help show the FCC that workers and consumers support this sale. Click here to view the sample letter.
  

  Letters to the FCC are critical to our efforts, but if you don't have time to write your own letter, please click here to sign our petition instead.

• AT&T and T-Mobile: The real deal

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Let's get to the heart of the matter.

  T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for workers and consumers. It's not even close.

  While Sprint has a long history of opposition to union membership, AT&T has remained neutral to its workers' organizing efforts. Moreover, as part of this deal, AT&T has committed to building out high-speed broadband service to nearly every part of the country within six years. That means more jobs for workers and better service for millions of Americans.

  This is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens. The Federal Communications Commission is currently reviewing the agreement, and as part of its review the commissioners are taking comments from the public.

  Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to the FCC in support of AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA.

  We have provided a sample letter, but it is important that the FCC hear why you support AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA in your own words. Your letter does not need to be as long as the sample letter - even a single paragraph will help show the FCC that workers and consumers support this sale. Click here to view the sample letter.
  

  Letters to the FCC are critical to our efforts, but if you don't have time to write your own letter, please click here to sign our petition instead.

• Arianna, we want a meeting

  It’s been several months since Huffington Post announced its $315 merger with AOL. In that time, The Newspaper Guild has endorsed a writers' boycott in response to its failure to pay its many journalists.One of our objections has been the Huffington Post’s practice of soliciting writers to cover beats, offering them “exposure” in place of a paycheck.  In response, we have called on Arianna Huffington to meet with us to discuss ways to build a sustainable business model for journalism in the digital age, rather than one built on the labor of unpaid writers.

• AT&T and T-Mobile: The real deal

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for workers and consumers. It's not even close.

  Sprint has a long history of outsourcing work outside the U.S. and trampling labor rights here in America. When bilingual Sprint call center workers sought to join CWA, Sprint closed the center and moved the work to Mexico. At Sprint, Network management has been outsourced while up to 70% of customer contact work is being performed by third parties.

  AT&T, on the other hand, has remained neutral when its workers organize. As a result, CWA now represents 43,000 wireless workers at AT&T -- the only unionized wireless company.

  This merger is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens.

  The U.S. Senate will be holding hearings about the merger. Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to your Senator in support of AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA.

• AT&T and T-Mobile: The real deal

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Let's get to the heart of the matter.

  T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for workers and consumers. It's not even close.

  While Sprint has a long history of opposition to union membership, AT&T has remained neutral to its workers' organizing efforts. Moreover, as part of this deal, AT&T has committed to building out high-speed broadband service to nearly every part of the country within six years. That means more jobs for workers and better service for millions of Americans.

  This is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens. The Federal Communications Commission is currently reviewing the agreement, and as part of its review the commissioners are taking comments from the public.

  Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to the FCC in support of AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA.

  We have provided a sample letter, but it is important that the FCC hear why you support AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA in your own words. Your letter does not need to be as long as the sample letter - even a single paragraph will help show the FCC that workers and consumers support this sale. Click here to view the sample letter.

  Note: Your comments will become part of the public record at the FCC.

  If you don't have time to write your own comments, please click  here to sign our petition instead.

• AT&T and T-Mobile: The real deal

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Let's get to the heart of the matter.

  T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for workers and consumers. It's not even close.

  While Sprint has a long history of opposition to union membership, AT&T has remained neutral to its workers' organizing efforts. Moreover, as part of this deal, AT&T has committed to building out high-speed broadband service to nearly every part of the country within six years. That means more jobs for workers and better service for millions of Americans.

  This is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens. Sign our petition to show your support for the merger.

• Comcast-NBC Merger Hurts Workers and Consumers

  The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether or not to approve the merger of Comcast and NBC/Universal.  This merger may make sense to Wall Street, but for consumers it could be a disaster.

  The merger would give Comcast unprecedented control of not just your television, but also all forms of online media.

  What makes things worse? Comcast has a long history of trampling on the rights of workers. When Comcast merged with AT&T Broadband in 2002, it launched a deliberate campaign to purge itself of the existing unions.

  The same can happen to NBC/Universal employees unless we speak out now.

  Take a moment to write to the FCC to tell them why you think this merger is a bad investment for America:

• Tell the FCC: Approve the T-Mobile FCC Merger

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Here are the facts about what's at stake.

  T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for consumers and for the opportunity it provides to bring broadband to more Americans.

  After the merger, T-Mobile USA customers will get quick access to AT&T's fast broadband network. As part of the merger agreement, AT&T has committed to building out high-speed broadband service to nearly every part of the country within six years. That means better service for millions of Americans and more jobs in communities across the country.

  The FCC is currently reviewing the agreement, and as part of its review the commissioners are taking comments from the public.

  Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to the FCC in support of AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA.

  We have provided a sample letter, but it is important that the FCC hear why you support AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA in your own words. Your letter does not need to be as long as the sample letter - even a single paragraph will help show the FCC that workers and consumers support this sale. Click here to view the sample letter.
  

  Letters to the FCC are critical to our efforts, but if you don't have time to write your own letter, please click here to sign our petition instead.

• AT&T and T-Mobile: The real deal

  By now you may have heard about the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Let's get to the heart of the matter.

  T-Mobile USA was going to be sold to either AT&T or Sprint. Of those two, AT&T is the far better option for workers and consumers. It's not even close.

  While Sprint has a long history of opposition to union membership, AT&T has remained neutral to its workers' organizing efforts. Moreover, as part of this deal, AT&T has committed to building out high-speed broadband service to nearly every part of the country within six years. That means more jobs for workers and better service for millions of Americans.

  This is good for everyone involved, so we need to help make sure it happens. The Federal Communications Commission is currently reviewing the agreement, and as part of its review the commissioners are taking comments from the public.

  Make sure your voice is heard. Use our simple tool to send a letter to the FCC in support of AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA.

  We have provided a sample letter, but it is important that the FCC hear why you support AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile USA in your own words. Your letter does not need to be as long as the sample letter - even a single paragraph will help show the FCC that workers and consumers support this sale. Click here to view the sample letter.

  Note: Your comments will become part of the public record at the FCC.
  

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• Save AWP at DEP

  We are writing to the Civil Service Commission(CSC) to voice our strong opposition to the Chairman's prior approval of DEP's unilateral modifications to AWP.  The CSC will review our union's request for a stay of the modifications on April 6 and may discuss the merits of the case.  Let's send the Commission a strong message.  The unilateral changes imposed by DEP management must be revoked.

  Please send an email by following the directions below (you can use the template message already there or edit it as you wish).

• Keep Union Elections Fair

  Wisconsin has come to Washington DC.

  Anti-worker legislators in the House are about to make it almost impossible for railway and airline employees to form unions.

  A provision in the FAA reauthorization legislation mandates that in any union election governed by the National Mediation Board (NMB), any eligible employee that does not return their ballot will be assigned as a "NO" vote and against forming a union. Under these rules, employees who are unable to vote because of illness, family emergency, or because their ballot was misdelivered or lost are presumed to be voting against having a union in their workplace.
   
  This is undemocratic and unfair.
  
  Use our simple tool to write to your Representative and tell them to protect fair union elections.

• Petition from Gannett Workers

  We, the current and former employees of Gannett-owned newspapers and television stations, take great pride in our news media operations and the role we play in informing and educating the communities in which we work. We are therefore greatly troubled by corporate leadership’s continued reliance on staff reductions, furloughs, pay cuts and other labor-cutting devices as a means of keeping profit margins at an artificially high level.

  Workers around the country have seen the quality of their products diminished as staffing is cut to levels that do not allow for quality journalism, program production, advertising sales and servicing and circulation. Many valued coworkers have left Gannett either to take new jobs elsewhere or via layoff or buyout. If this drain on quality professionals continues, shareholders will no longer see profits, artificially high or otherwise; there will be no profits to report.

   

• Keep the "Millionaire Surcharge Tax"

  Governor Cuomo wants to give the highest 3% of income earners in New York a tax break by letting the 2009 “Millionaires’ Surcharge” expire.   This surcharge is not a “new” tax!  New York already has a 8.9 billion dollar deficit.  If the rich get this tax break, it will put us behind an additional 1.4 billion dollars this year and 4.56 billion dollars next year.
  
  If this is allowed to expire, under Cuomo’s budget, every family in the state with a $1 million dollar income will get a $21,200 income tax CUT!  While the rich get a tax cut, the Middle-Class will get layoffs and service cuts!  Cuomo’s budget will cost thousands of middle-class jobs in healthcare, schools and municipalities and cuts in services to the Middle-Class, including increased class size for our kids, increased tuition at state colleges, and increased fees levied against us as our towns struggle to make up for the shortfalls in state funds.
  
  It’s time to send a message to all our elected officials and tell them “No to tax cuts for the rich, when Middle-Class workers will be laid-off and Middle-Class services will be cut”.  Please join our campaign below and send a message to our NY elected officials.
  
  If you are asked to provide street address please include house number or you may received an error message.

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  Tell your elected representatives that higher education employees need an equal dollar raise!

  

  It's been almost 4 years since we have had even a small cost of living increase.  At the same time, the costs of being employed are rising rapidly, including insurance premiums and co-payments, parking, and gas. That is why union members have been fighting for living wages and real equal dollar raises. The 1.6% proposed raise in the Governor's budget is a recognition of your hard work. But this proposal is still a long way from being passed and longer still from being passed as an equal dollar.

  HB 1707/ SB 1588, sponsored by Rep. Mike Turner and Sen. Beverly Marrero, would provide a $2,000 across-the-board raise for UT and TBR employees (prorated for part time employees.)

  Take a moment to send a message to your elected officials explaining why an equal dollar raise is important to you! Please add a personal message, as they are much more effective than form letters!

• Keep the "Millionaire Surcharge Tax"

  Governor Cuomo wants to give the highest 3% of income earners in New York a tax break by letting the 2009 “Millionaires’ Surcharge” expire.   This surcharge is not a “new” tax!  New York already has a 8.9 billion dollar deficit.  If the rich get this tax break, it will put us behind an additional 1.4 billion dollars this year and 4.56 billion dollars next year.

  If this is allowed to expire, under Cuomo’s budget, every family in the state with a $1 million dollar income will get a $21,200 income tax CUT!  While the rich get a tax cut, the Middle-Class will get layoffs and service cuts!  Cuomo’s budget will cost thousands of middle-class jobs in healthcare, schools and municipalities and cuts in services to the middle-Class, including increased class size for our kids, increased tuition at state colleges, and increased fees levied against us as our towns struggle to make up for the shortfalls in state funds. 

  It’s time to send a message to all our elected officials especially Senators Jeff Klein (D-Bronx,Yonkers) and Gregg Ball (R- Upper Westchester, Putnam and lower Dutchess)  who have failed to commit by saying “No to tax cuts for the rich, when Middle-Class workers will be laid-off and Middle-Class services will be cut”.  Please join our campaign below and send a message to our NY elected officials.

  
  If you are asked to provide street address please include house number or you may received an error message.

• Save Public Broadcasting

  On February 19th the US House of Representatives voted on the budget for the current fiscal year (FY). The vote was to completely ZERO Out the budget appropriation. While FY 11 began on October 1st, 2010, the proposed cuts would go into effect immediately, since there is no funding in place for the rest of this fiscal year.

  The issue now moves to the US Senate with a vote expected by March 4th. It is essential that you express your desire that your US Senators vote to restore the funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting right away. Even if you are sure that both of your Senators will vote to restore the funding, please contact them and express yourself.

  While some larger PBS and NPR stations have other major sources of funds, many in smaller and more rural areas are not as lucky and as well funded. Their programming and jobs will be affected by these sudden cuts.

  Use our simple tool to write your Senators today.

• Arianna got millions, all we got was a byline

  After building a media empire based on unpaid writers and republishing the work of others, the Huffington Post was sold to AOL for $315 million. We are calling on Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington to invest in quality journalism by sharing a portion of this fortune with the people who made her successful.

• Tell Congress to Protect the Open Internet

  The House is considering a proposal to strip the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of its authority to enforce its common-sense open Internet rules. 

  If this effort succeeds, the open Internet debate will start all over again -- and our leaders won't be able to focus on what matters most: improving broadband speed and access for all Americans. 

  Use this form to email your representative urging him or her to oppose the effort to repeal the FCC's open Internet rules. Speak out now to protect the open Internet.

• Tell Congress to Protect the Open Internet

  The House is considering a proposal to strip the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of its authority to enforce its common-sense open Internet rules. 

  If this effort succeeds, the open Internet debate will start all over again -- and our leaders won't be able to focus on what matters most: improving broadband speed and access for all Americans. 

  Use this form to email your representative urging him or her to oppose the effort to repeal the FCC's open Internet rules. Speak out now to protect the open Internet.

• Save Public Broadcasting

  Federal funding for Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio on the national basis and at your local station level comes via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  While that amount is not all of the budget for these broadcasters, it is an important part of their funding (along with members who donate, foundations and corporations) which is under threat to be zeroed out now, in the middle of the fiscal year which began on October 1st.
  
  While the Federal Budget needs all of our attention, cutting the funding for the jobs in our communities that brings us news, information, and educational programming is not going to solve the deficit and will cost workers their jobs. 
  
  This programming is what balances the partisan noise that can come from talk radio and some cable news channels.  This is public broadcasting the programming that we value and we want to SAVE PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

  For more information, visit http://www.170millionamericans.org/

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• AT&T Mobility/Puerto Rico Workers of Local 3010: We Support You!

  Negotiations with AT&T Mobility in Puerto Rico are moving slowly. As the members of Local 3010 are mobilize, let's show them that we support them as they bargain this week. The contract expires Friday, February 18

  Use our simple form below to send a note to our local bargaining team at CWA Local 3010, cheering them on as they work for a fair agreement for the workers in Puerto Rico.

  Watch members of Local 3010 mobilize at a rally on January 31st!

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• Tell Congress: Don't Let the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program Run Out!

  Next week, unless Congress acts, hundreds of thousands of workers whose jobs were outsourced because of trade policies will lose their assistance when the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program expires.

  Congress originally passed the TAA in 1974 to assist workers who lost their jobs to increased foreign competition. As part of the 2009 stimulus package, Congress expanded the program to include service workers and set the TAA to expire on January 1, 2011. In December 2010, Congress approved a six-week program extension, continuing benefits until February 12, 2011. Congress must act now to extend the program so that American workers do not lose this critical assistance—including many CWA members.
  
  Many Senate Republicans, especially Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, are objecting to extending the program and refusing to allow for extension unless a clear timeline is established by the White House and Congress for approval of the atrocious Columbia Free Trade deal.
  
  We need to let our elected representatives know that further inaction is unacceptable. Use our form below to urge Congress to act now and prevent expiration of this important program.

  Personalized letters have more impact with Congress, so if you have the time please edit our sample letter before sending.

• Tell President Obama to Connect All Americans to the Digital Age

  In his State of the Union address, President Obama acknowledged the critical importance of strengthening our nation's high-speed networks and connecting all Americans to the digital age.
  

  Add your name to our petition urging the President to follow through on his commitment.

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• President Obama - Protect Social Security in the State of the Union Address

  The President is under pressure from corporate special interests and many Congressional Republicans to agree to Social Security benefit cuts. During his campaign, President Obama pledged his opposition to Social Security cuts, including raising the retirement age or cutting the cost-of-living adjustment.

  In the wake of the election, which handed control of the House of Representatives to Republicans, the President is reported to be considering a “compromise” that could cut Social Security benefits. Newly-elected Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner favors raising the retirement age to 70 and cutting the cost-of-living adjustment.

  The President's State of the Union address is coming on Tuesday, January 25^th. Please take a moment and send an e-mail urging President Obama to re-state his commitment: no raising the retirement age, no cut in the cost-of-living adjustment, no privatization and no benefit cuts.

• Protect Your Phone Service

  Phone service in Virginia is being threatened, but you can stop it.
  
  Start now by sending an email to your Virginia state legislators telling them about the dangers of HB 2367/SB 1368. If the bill passes, telephone services would no longer be protected by regulatory agencies, rates would spike, and broadband build-out would slow significantly.
  
  This bill is bad for Virginians and bad for the economy. Take a moment to read through the message, customize it as you see fit and send it to your state legislators.
  
  Thanks for your support.

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• Keep Trade Adjustment Act Benefits for Service Workers

  The Trade Adjustment Act program for service workers, programmers and IT workers helps trade-affected workers with reemployment services, allowances, and training if they lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States.

  In the waning days of 2010, Congress extended TAA benefits, but only for 6 weeks. Service workers and others who have lost or will lose jobs to offshoring will see benefits cut or shrink if action is not taken now to make TAA benefits permanent.

  Contact Congress to help save TAA benefits from expiring.

• Fix the Senate: Support Senate Rules Reform

  The current rules that govern the Senate are hurting our democracy.

  Obscure rules like secret holds and filibusters allow individual Senators to hold the nation's work hostage while cutting backroom deals. They give preference to the special interests that fund and further their careers.

  The rules have prevented progress on any major legislation to address major concerns. CWA and the rest of Labor have been unable to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and the Public Safety Officers collective bargaining act, despite strong support, because of the filibuster. Important energy legislation that would address climate change and wean us off our dependence on foreign oil has been bottled up due to the failure to get 60 Senators to agree to stop the endless debate. During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, popular and much needed jobs programs have failed to become law because of the filibuster.

  In order for our legislative branch to once again become part of a functioning democracy, the Senate’s rules must be updated. A resolution has been introduced which would restore accountability to the Senate by:

  • Eliminating the Filibuster on Motions to Proceed
  • Eliminating Secret Holds
  • Guaranteeing Consideration of Amendments from both Parties
  • Requiring Continuing Debate to Maintain a Filibuster (Talking Filibuster)
  • Expediting Nominations by Limiting Post-cloture Debate to Two Hours

  Use our online action tool to send a message to your Senators asking them to co-sponsor this resolution or thanking them if they are already a co-sponsor.

  Note: If one of your Senators is already a co-sponsor and one is not, you will see two different versions of the letter, one for each Senator.

• End Senate Gridlock

  The ability for Senators to engage in unlimited debate has become a tool that allows a minority of Senators to obstruct democracy. Because of the filibuster it has become increasingly rare for the Senate to pass any legislation, approve nominations and pass annual appropriations bills.

  It has also led to the complete inability for progress on any major legislation to address major concerns. CWA and the rest of Labor have been unable to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, the Public Safety Officers collective bargaining act, and the Paycheck Fairness Act, despite strong support, because of the filibuster. Important energy legislation that would address climate change and wean us off our dependence on foreign oil has been bottled up due to the failure to get 60 Senators to agree to stop the endless debate. During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, popular and much needed jobs programs have failed to become law because of the filibuster.

  In order for our legislative branch to once again become part of a functioning democracy, Senate rules must be updated so that Senators have the opportunity to debate and vote on the crucial issues facing our country.

  Please contact your Senators to urge them to support Senate rules reform today.

• End Senate Gridlock

  The ability for Senators to engage in unlimited debate has become a tool that allows a minority of Senators to obstruct democracy. Because of the filibuster it has become increasingly rare for the Senate to pass any legislation, approve nominations and pass annual appropriations bills.

  It has also led to the complete inability for progress on any major legislation to address major concerns. CWA and the rest of Labor have been unable to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, the Public Safety Officers collective bargaining act, and the Paycheck Fairness Act, despite strong support, because of the filibuster. Important energy legislation that would address climate change and wean us off our dependence on foreign oil has been bottled up due to the failure to get 60 Senators to agree to stop the endless debate. During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, popular and much needed jobs programs have failed to become law because of the filibuster.

  In order for our legislative branch to once again become part of a functioning democracy, Senate rules must be updated so that Senators have the opportunity to debate and vote on the crucial issues facing our country.

  Please contact your Senators to urge them to support Senate rules reform today.

• End Senate Gridlock

  The ability for Senators to engage in unlimited debate has become a tool that allows a minority of Senators to obstruct democracy. Because of the filibuster it has become increasingly rare for the Senate to pass any legislation, approve nominations and pass annual appropriations bills.

  It has also led to the complete inability for progress on any major legislation to address major concerns. CWA and the rest of Labor have been unable to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and the Public Safety Officers collective bargaining act, despite strong support, because of the filibuster. Important energy legislation that would address climate change and wean us off our dependence on foreign oil has been bottled up due to the failure to get 60 Senators to agree to stop the endless debate. During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, popular and much needed jobs programs have failed to become law because of the filibuster.

  In order for our legislative branch to once again become part of a functioning democracy, Senate rules must be updated so that Senators have the opportunity to debate and vote on the crucial issues facing our country.

  Please contact your Senators to urge them to support Senate rules reform today.

• Protect the Internet

  FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski just announced an initiative to protect the open Internet. Not only will this help ensure access to information, it also opens the door to important investments in the next generation of broadband networks.

  But in order to take effect, Chairman Genachowski's initiative must be approved by the rest of the FCC. Use our form below to help you email the FCC commissioners and urge them to support this effort. It takes just a few minutes, but it can make a big difference.

• Sign the Petition: Block the Lockout

  The NFL is in contract negotiations with its players and is getting ready to do a player “lock-out.” If that happens, players won’t be able to play, fans won’t have a football season, and local economies that rely on football will be devastated.

  Help save football season and stop economic devastation. Sign our petition to the NFL.

• You Can Count on Me

  Americans of all ages, all political parties and all races oppose cutting Social Security benefits, and they oppose raising the retirement age whether they’re in college or a retiree, a left- leaning progressive or a Tea Partier.

  Yet, the Co-Chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform seem dead set on deeply cutting Social Security benefits for all Americans. To stop the Commission from adopting this position, we are organizing a large National Call Congress Day on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

  By committing to call your senators in Congress and demand that they oppose any cuts to Social Security this holiday season, you fight to ensure that you, your children and your grandchildren will have the security of knowing Social Security will be there.

  We need you to make your voice heard on Tuesday, November 30 as part of our National Call Congress Day the week after Thanksgiving.  To receive a text message reminder, make sure to join our Rapid Response Text Messaging Network.

• DirecTV - Where Does the Money Go?

  DirecTV made a profit of $1.4 billion in 2009. CEO Chase Carey was paid $1.4 million. But the people who install satellite TVs are some of the most underpaid workers in the whole telecommunications industry.

  The workers at DirectSat DirectSat who install satellite TV for Direct TV organized a union with CWA a year ago in order to improve these sub-standard working conditions.

  Management has yet to propose a single improvement to the living standards of their workers.

  Please use our form below to write DirectSat management and tell them to treat their workers with respect and negotiate in good faith.

• Non au compteur

  Le CRTC vient de décider que votre fournisseur d'accès Internet peut mettre un compteur sur Internet!

  Bell Canada et les autres grandes entreprises de télécommunication sont maintenant libres d'imposer la facturation à l'utilisation aux Fournisseurs d'Accès Internet indépendants, ainsi qu'à VOUS. Les grandes entreprises de télécommunication tentent de façon flagrante d'escroquer leurs clients, de contrôler le marché d'Internet, et de s'assurer que leurs clients continuent de payer pour leurs services de télévision. 

   

  Cela veut dire que dans un avenir rapproché, les fournisseurs factureront à l'octet, comme c'est présentement le cas avec les téléphones intelligents. Si nous les laissons faire, les Canadiens n'auront d'autre choix que de payer plus pour moins d'Internet.

  Ceci nuira énormément aux services innovateurs, à la compétitivité du Canada dans le domaine du numérique, ainsi qu'à votre portefeuille. 

  Nous devons nous tenir debout afin de protéger Internet. 

  Signez la pétition Non au compteur ci-dessous!

  
  
• Protect the Rights of Public Safety Officers

  Public safety workers protect us and are there for our communities when we need them most. These hard working and dedicated men and women deserve to have their voices heard on the job. Unfortunately, only 25 states fully protect the right of state and local public safety officers to collectively bargain. This oversight in this country's fundamental collective bargaining laws can be addressed through Congressional passage of the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.

  This bill already passed the House and in the Senate it has six Republican co-sponsors.  The only real obstacle it faces is whether a few or even one obstructionist Senator successfully manipulates the Senate rules to prevent the bill from being discussed.

  Don't let this happen.

  Watch CWA President Larry Cohen's video then use our form below to write your Senators today to ensure that the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act is debated, voted on, and passed by the U.S. Senate.

• Stop The Meter

  The CRTC just decided to let your Internet Service Provider put a meter on your Internet!

  Bell Canada and other big telecom companies can now freely impose usage-based billing on independent Internet Service Providers (indie ISPs) and YOU. Big Telecom companies are obviously trying to gouge consumers, control the Internet market, and ensure that consumers continue to subscribe to their television services. 

   

  This means we're looking at a future where ISPs will charge per byte, the way they do with smart phones. If we allow this to happen Canadians will have no choice but to pay more for less Internet.

  This will crush innovative services, Canada's digital competitiveness, and your wallet. 

  We need to stand up for the Internet. 

  Sign the Stop The Meter petition below!

  
  
• A Very Scary Internet Story

  Unbeknownst to Canadians, shadowy telecom monopolies have begun to unfairly block open access to popular content and services. This Internet horror story threatens to turn Canada's Internet, and our economy and democracy with it, to dark. 

  There existed a Wise and Great Commission that could defeat this evil, but it failed to act, as it was too afraid of its own powers to regulate the Internet. It was clear that we needed a hero.

  

  After years of searching, the SaveOurNet Coalition has found someone who could be an open Internet hero: the powerful Wizard Clement!

  But Clement seems reluctant to protect the Internet. SaveOurNet fears that he may be under the spell of the evil monopolies, or worse – he could just not care. 

  This halloween we need a benevolent force to ensure Wizard Clement uses his powers for good. We need citizens across the land of Canada to join that force by sending a letter to Wizard Clement:

  
  Feel free to edit and personalize the letter provided below

• This URL is no longer valid

  For information about net neutrality in Canada, please visit http://saveournet.ca

• Tell gubernatorial candidates the economic crisis means for you and your family

  Our already thin paycheck are shrinking by the day as health insurance costs skyrocket, parking and 4 years without a pay raise take their toll.  Last Friday the bone the legislature threw us back in June, the piddly one-time $50 per year additional longevity payment, was snatched away.  The only thing going up is the cost of working at public higher education institutions in Tennessee.  Now more than ever higher education staff and faculty need to speak out and force elected officials to act!

  On November 2, 2010 Tennessee voters will elect a new governor and a new General Assembly.  Whoever wins the governor's race will write next year's budget.  We don't plan to wait until then to introduce ourselves to these candidates - they need to know TODAY how we are struggling to make ends meet. They need to be told immediately how we are paid far less than the prevailing wage for similar in the private sector and at peer institutions.  We have to make it clear to them: we expect living wages, fair pay and a long-overdue equal dollar pay raise. We demand redress for the new insurance plans with skyrocketing costs.

  This is not one of those form letters. Take 30 seconds to write about what the economic crisis means for you and your family. These candidates need to hear what 4 years without a pay raise and massive insurance cost hikes mean. 

• S. 3816 (Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act )

  Check out who voted Yea!

  YEAs ---53
  Akaka (D-HI) Bayh (D-IN) Begich (D-AK) Bennet (D-CO) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brown (D-OH) Burris (D-IL) Cantwell (D-WA) Cardin (D-MD) Carper (D-DE) Casey (D-PA) Conrad (D-ND) Dodd (D-CT) Dorgan (D-ND) Durbin (D-IL) Feingold (D-WI) Feinstein (D-CA)	Franken (D-MN) Gillibrand (D-NY) Goodwin (D-WV) Hagan (D-NC) Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Johnson (D-SD) Kaufman (D-DE) Kerry (D-MA) Klobuchar (D-MN) Kohl (D-WI) Landrieu (D-LA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) McCaskill (D-MO) Menendez (D-NJ) Merkley (D-OR)	Mikulski (D-MD) Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Pryor (D-AR) Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Rockefeller (D-WV) Sanders (I-VT) Schumer (D-NY) Shaheen (D-NH) Specter (D-PA) Stabenow (D-MI) Udall (D-CO) Udall (D-NM) Webb (D-VA) Whitehouse (D-RI) Wyden (D-OR)

  And who voted NAY!

  NAYs ---45
  Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Baucus (D-MT) Bennett (R-UT) Bond (R-MO) Brown (R-MA) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Collins (R-ME) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX)	Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Gregg (R-NH) Hatch (R-UT) Hutchison (R-TX) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Kyl (R-AZ) LeMieux (R-FL) Lieberman (ID-CT)	Lugar (R-IN) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Nelson (D-NE) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Snowe (R-ME) Tester (D-MT) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Voinovich (R-OH) Warner (D-VA) Wicker (R-MS)

  Email today asking your senators to support S3816 the Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act!

  And if one or both of your senators are among the 53 YEA votes,

  TELL THEM THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE SUPPORT!

  Or if they are among the 45,

  TELL THEM TO GET OFF THE DIME AND SUPPORT AMERICAN WORKING FAMILIES!!

• Contact FCC Chairman Genachowski Regarding Net Neutrality

  In what is very good news for an open Internet, Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman has dropped the controversial net neutrality legislation he was trying to push before recess. He had been negotiating with industry groups on a measure that basically reflected the Google/Verizon two-tiered, wireless exempting proposal except worse in that it would have removed the FCC's rulemaking authority.

  Waxman announced that he's scrapping the proposal and stated "If our efforts to find bipartisan consensus fail, the FCC should move forward under Title II. The bottom line is that we must protect the open Internet. If Congress can’t act, the FCC must."

  Email FCC Chairman Genachowski and ask him to set the rules for Net Neutrality before the corporations do!

• Contact Your Congressmen, Ask Them to Support the Stop Outsourcing and Create American Jobs Act of 2010

  We have all seen the comedic treatment regarding the shipping of America's jobs and futures that premiered on the television in the last week.  Whether you saw the show or not, and whether you thought that it was funny or not, it certainly isn't a laughing matter for those who are trapped in the nightmare scenerio created by corporate greed and government compliance.  Please, consider sending a letter to your senators and congressmen asking them to remember who is hurt the most by these practices.  Let them know that there isn't any laughter here, only misery.  Contact Your Congressmen and ask them to support Huse Bill HR5622 the Stop Outsourcing and Create American Jobs Act of 2010.

• Protect an Open Internet

  The freedom created by the internet doesn't exist for millions of Americans on the wrong side of the digital divide.
  
  But the debate over net neutrality which has consumed our country for years has discouraged companies from investing in high speed networks. It's an important issue, and most people can agree that we all benefit from an open internet.
  
  Congress is being bombarded by people who want to continue to delay progress on this debate that's gone on for years. It's up to us to fight back.  Use the form below to send your representative a letter urging support of legislation that would protect an open internet so that companies will begin investing in broadband and creating new jobs.

• Stop Letting China Steal American Jobs

  For years, China has been spitting at American manufacturers and workers, running up our trade deficit and making it impossible for American manufacturers to compete. By manipulating the value of their currency to illegally subsidize their export industries, China is killing U.S. industry and destroying U.S. Jobs. Some members of Congress are ready to take action to stop China's rogue behavior.

  Use our form below to send a letter and make sure your member of Congress is one of them:

• Protect an Open Internet, Create Jobs

  To create good paying jobs, we need more investment in high speed broadband.
  
  But the debate over net neutrality which has consumed our country for years has discouraged companies from investing in high speed networks. It's an important issue, and most people can agree that we all benefit from an open internet.
  
  Congress is being bombarded by people who want to continue to delay progress on this debate that's gone on for years. It's up to us to fight back.  Use the form below to send your representative a letter urging support of legislation that would protect an open internet so that companies will begin investing in broadband and creating new jobs.

• Improve access to Al Jazeera English

  Al Jazeera English began broadcasting in Canada in May, providing independent public journalism that is sorely lacking in this country. But only one distributor (Videotron) has made it a high-profile offering for its customers. Several of the carriers charge extra for the channel and some aren't making it available at all.
  
  Please tell Bell, Rogers, Telus and Shaw that they should offer free previews, include the award-winning global news network in themed packages and extensively market AJE.
  

• Take Action: Bring Broadband Home

  We need to make sure that members of Congress know that we are tired of the wrangling over net neutrality and want them to act now to to clarify the rules so that companies will continue to invest in buildling high-speed networks. Please take a moment to send a message to your members of Congress today.

• Take Action: Bring Broadband Home

  We need to make sure that members of Congress know that we are tired of the wrangling over net neutrality and want them to act now to to clarify the rules so that companies will continue to invest in buildling high-speed networks. Please take a moment to send a message to your members of Congress today.

• Take Action: Here Come the Union Busters

  Your brothers and sisters at Piedmont Airlines need your help.

  Piedmont, a subsidiary of US Airways, has hired notorious union-busting firm LRI to keep its workers from exercising their right to form a union. LRI has a long history of using every trick in the book to prevent workers from organizing.

  Workers shouldn't face interference or coercion when deciding whether to form a union. Piedmont and US Airways should cut ties with LRI and allow their workers to decide for themselves if they want to form a union.

  Show your solidarity with Piedmont's workers and send the letter below to US Airways CEO Doug Parker.

• Tell CRTC: No special treatment for 'Fox News North'

  
  Quebecor, a powerful media conglomerate with connections to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is determined to obtain special privileges for its Sun TV News channel, which would be modelled on the right-wing Fox News Network in the U.S.
  
  Although the CRTC said NO earlier this year, Quebecor is back, asking the federal broadcast regulator for preferential treatment: It wants "Mandatory Access" status in all cable and satellite TV lineups.
  
  Please tell the CRTC to stand firm against industry and political pressure. Sending your comments through OpenMedia ensures they will become part of the public record.

  We have provided a sample letter below. Feel free to alter or add to the letter, all of which can be edited.

• Take Action: Bring Broadband Home

  We need to make sure that members of Congress know that we are tired of the wrangling over net neutrality and want them to act now to to clarify the rules so that companies will continue to invest in buildling high-speed networks. Please take a moment to send a message to your members of Congress today.

• my test action

  A brief description of the action.

• Save Canada's Open Internet

  When it comes to surfing the web, the Internet user, not big telecom, should be in the driver's seat. But a handful of companies want a discriminatory or "gatekeeper" network so they can control Canadians' access to the Internet. They have already been caught throttling or slowing Internet traffic to businesses and consumers; blocking access to websites that criticized them; and crippling consumer devices and applications.

  Please take a moment to tell Industry Minister Tony Clement that he should make sure the federal regulator polices these ISPs.

  Feel free to edit and personalize the letter provided below:

• Restore the North Bay Nugget

  Continued erosion of local employment at The Nugget by owner Sun Media/Quebecor reduces its value to the community as a news source and contributor to the North Bay economy.
  
  The North Bay Newspaper Guild, which represents the remaining 70 part-time and full-time pressmen, inserters, mailers, advertising sales people, business clerks, editorial staff and pre-press production workers, is seeking the public's support in its campaign to improve the paper.
  
  Please take a moment to send the following letter to Nugget publisher Dan Johnson. Feel free to add to or alter the letter, all of which can be edited.

  
  

• Layoffs at the UT Health Science Center

  During the week of August 9-13, 2010, 33 employees of the UT Health Science Center (UTHSC) were laid off.  According to UTHSC Vice Chancellor Ken Brown, these cuts were part of the the UTHSC's plan to "decrease costs, increase efficiency, strategically reallocate resources and enhance revenue in order to reduce job cuts."(see Memphis Commercial Appeal)

  These layoffs are occurring at the same time the UTHSC has hired a new Chancellor at $550,000 per year while laying off hardworking, dedicated employees, many of whom barely earn $25,000 per year and who have not received even a modest raise in more than three years.

  Originally UTHSC administrators had planned layoffs of 200 staff in December 2008, according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (see Memphis Commercial Appeal).  Since then UCW-CWA has urged UT system and UTHSC administrators to use the stimulus funds to save these positions and not take this negative course. 

  The UTHSC has chosen not to use stimulus funds to save jobs and has instead chosen this very negative path, making it the only UT campus to do so.
  

  These 33 employees will only receive severance pay equal to the wages they would have earned through September 30, 2010, a date which cuts them out of any possible bonus money the state may give. 

  In the past two years state employees and other higher education workers in Tennessee received severance packages that contained up to two years of tuition assistance and up to four months of salary, including other benefits (see Tennessee State Employee Buyout and MTSU buyout for details of these packages).
  

  It is ironic that other state employees get tuition credits but UT employees who have dedicated years to higher education are offered none.

  UCW-CWA calls on President Simek to rectify this situation by committing to the following:

  1.      No additional layoffs.

  2.      Recall rights, where laid off workers receive priority hiring for any positions that come open at UTHSC, and/or placement of RIFed workers into currently open UTHSC positions.

  3.      Adequate severance pay equal to that provided by statute to other state workers.

  4.      Tuition credits equal to a two-year extension of the current education benefits offered by UTHSC.

  5.      Full disclosure of how these layoffs were conducted to verify that no irregularities or discrimination based on gender, race, or age took place.

  Send an email to President Simek, urging him to help rectify this situation!  The below form allows you to send a message to him voicing your concerns on this matter!  UTHSC Chancellor Steve Schwab will also receive a copy of your email.  For more information, email smith@ucw-cwa.org or call 1-877-292-3865.
  

• End Senate Gridlock

  The ability for Senators to engage in unlimited debate has become a tool that allows a minority of Senators to obstruct democracy. Because of the filibuster it has become increasingly rare for the Senate to pass any legislation, approve nominations and pass annual appropriations bills.

  It has also led to the complete inability for progress on any major legislation to address major concerns. CWA and the rest of Labor have been unable to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, despite strong support because of the filibuster. Important energy legislation that would address climate change and wean us off our dependence on foreign oil has been bottled up due to the failure to get 60 Senators to agree to stop the endless debate. During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, popular and much needed jobs programs have failed to become law because of the filibuster.

  In order for our legislative branch to once again become part of a functioning democracy, Senate rules must be updated. The filibuster must be eliminated and the use of holds to deny the appointment of qualified individuals must come to an end.

  Please add your name to our petition today.

• PBS

  Test of the idea that we could use a targeted action to influence

• Public Higher Ed Exclusion & Inequality Act

  Express your concerns for the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act.

  What's at Stake:

  • Access to an affordable education at SUNY.
  • Transparency in SUNY accounting, auditing funding and oversight.
  • Legislative review and voter/tax payer input into SUNY policies.
• 1104/GSEU PayBill

  We need your help to move the key players in the New York State to deliver our the paybill which funds our contract. First, send this email. New York State Senator and Chair of the Senate's Higher Education Committee, Toby Ann Stavisky & Diane J. Savino, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions are crucial to our fight. Second, call their offices at (518) 455-3461 for Senator Stavisky, and (518) 455-2437 for Senator Savino.

  This pay bill will help stem the tide whereby the wage rate stagnation of SUNY's Graduate Teachers, Researchers and Support Staff creates continuously free-fall in our ability to meet the ceaselessly rising costs of daily living expenses.

• SUPPORT 1104/GSEU Contract PayBill

  We need your help to move the key players in the New York State to deliver our the paybill which funds our contract. First, send this email. New York State Senator and Chair of the Senate's Higher Education Committee, Toby Ann Stavisky & Diane J. Savino, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions are crucial to our fight. Second, call their offices at (518) 455-3461 for Senator Stavisky, and (518) 455-2437 for Senator Savino.

  This pay bill will help stem the tide whereby the wage rate stagnation of SUNY's Graduate Teachers, Researchers and Support Staff creates continuously free-fall in our ability to meet the ceaselessly rising costs of daily living expenses.

• Xerox: Exporting Our Jobs Is Their Business

  Think Xerox is a copier company? Think again. Today’s Xerox runs a multi-billion dollar outsourcing business that ships American jobs overseas. That’s their new corporate model: exporting our jobs.

  Here’s what the CEO of their new $6 billion outsourcing division, acquired by Xerox in February, has said:

  "To have a greater financial impact, we will be moving a higher percentage of more complex, higher paying jobs offshore, including management and application development roles”.

  In closed-door meetings with the big banks, they are even more explicit about moving American jobs overseas. Already, approximately half of Xerox’s jobs are overseas. How many more will they move? Our economy needs good jobs, not an outsourced future.

  Send an E-mail to Xerox CEO Ursula Burns here:

• Tell Xerox CEO Ursula Burns to Stop Union-Busting
  and Shipping American Jobs Overseas

  Almost 300 call center workers in New York City voted in May of 2009 to join CWA. Yet Xerox refuses to bargain with them.  Instead of bargaining, they are continuing to harass and intimidate union supporters.

  They recently told 19 union supporters they must transfer departments to worse jobs – or leave the company. Not a single anti-union worker is being force-transferred. Xerox is illegally retaliating against its workforce.

  At the same time, Xerox’s $6 billion outsourcing division is shipping thousands of American jobs overseas. Is Xerox copying Wal-Mart? It sure looks like it.

  Our economy needs good jobs – not union busting and outsourcing.  Send this e-mail to Xerox CEO Ursula Burns – or write in your own message.

• Tell the new T-Mobile CEO to Respect Workers' Rights'
• Comcast-NBC Merger Hurts Workers and Consumers

  The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether or not to approve the merger of Comcast and NBC/Universal.  This merger may make sense to Wall Street, but for consumers it could be a disaster.

  The merger would give Comcast unprecedented control of not just your television, but also all forms of online media.

  What makes things worse? Comcast has a long history of trampling on the rights of workers. When Comcast merged with AT&T Broadband in 2002, it launched a deliberate campaign to purge itself of the existing unions.

  The same can happen to NBC/Universal employees unless we speak out now.

  Take a moment to write to the FCC to tell them why you think this merger is a bad investment for America:

• Stop Letting China Have an Unfair Advantage

  According to a recent report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, 2.4 million jobs have been lost or displaced in as a result of the burgeoning trade deficit with that nation.

  In March of this year, 130 members of Congress, led by Representative Mike Michaud, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner urging him to officially designate China as a currency manipulator in its scheduled April 15th report. In response, the Administration postponed the report, and is now making a decision.

  The time to Act is now.

  Contact Secretary Geithner using the form below, and let the Treasury Department know that they need to declare China a currency manipulator.

  You can click here to see job loss in your Congressional District using a map prepared by the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM). Feel free to personalize the message below by putting those local figures in your letter.

• Hold Big Banks Accountable

  Senator Dodd has released his financial reform proposal.  This is an important step towards fixing our broken system.  This bill takes some important steps to protect consumers, curb Wall Street's greedy and risky behavior, and end the era of "too big to fail."  But, it doesn't go far enough.  The bill must strengthened as it moves through the Senate.
   
  It has been a year and a half since our economy crashed and the Senate must not wait any longer.  Tell them to get moving right away to strengthen the bill and hold big banks accountable.

• Test Action

  This action is awesome.  If you just take this action, you can really make a difference. This action is awesome.  If you just take this action, you can really make a difference. This action is awesome.  If you just take this action, you can really make a difference.

  This action is awesome.  If you just take this action, you can really make a difference. Seriously!

• Tell Verizon: Keep California Jobs in California

  Tell Verizon that it's a slap in the face.
  
  Verizon makes a huge percentage of its profits from California consumers.  But it continues to send our jobs out of state, and even out of the country.  Verizon call center jobs are already in the Phillipines.  Last month our bargaining team caught Verizon sending our jobs to Tijuana.  
  
  California consumers have made it possible for Verizon to keep its fat cat executives fat.  Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg's salary is $18.6 million, and the salary of the other five top executives totals $58.9 million.  Verizon made $3.65 billion in profits last year.
  
  Verizon can afford to help lead California out of the recession.  And it can afford to give its 5,500 California employees a fair contract--without shifting more of the health care burden to workers.
  
  Send Verizon a message by asking your legislators to demand answers from Verizon.  Keep California jobs in California!

• Doppelstandards Bie Der Telekom

  Beschäftigte bei T-Mobile USA, einer amerikanischen Tochtergesellschaft der Deutschen Telekom befürchten jeden Tag, dass sie gefeuert werden können. Wenn sie sich organisieren wollen, werden sie vom Management eingeschüchtert und sie haben keine Möglichkeit, sich gegen eine unfaire Behandlung zu wehren. Dies ist in Deutschland nicht der Fall, wo die Deutsche Telekom ein anerkannter Arbeitgeber ist, der eine gute Beziehung zur Gewerkschaft hat. Warum also der doppelte Standard?

  American Rights at Work, eine Organisation, die sich für Arbeiterrechte in den USA einsetzt, hat eine neue Studie über den Doppelstandard von Arbeitsrechten in Deutschland und der Bekämpfung von Organisierungsrechten in den USA veröffentlicht, die schockierende Details über eine Kultur der Angst in amerikanischen Betrieben der T-Mobile USA offenlegt.

  Bitte nimm dir einen Moment Zeit, um DT CEO René Obermann zu schreiben und ihn aufzufordern, er soll die Kultur der Angst bei T-Mobile beenden und die Rechte aller Beschäftigten respektieren:

• Fairness for T-Mobile Workers

  Deutsche Telekom's subsidiary T-Mobile USA has been waging a "union avoidance" war against its American workers for a decade.

  American Rights at Work -- an organization promoting labor rights in the U.S. -- has released a new report about DT's double standard of labor rights in Germany and abuses in the United States, providing shocking details of a culture of fear in the American workplaces of T-Mobile USA.

  Take a moment to write to DT CEO René Obermann and tell him to end this culture of fear within T-Mobile USA and respect the rights of all his workers: