History Of CWA Minorities Program

1972 -

CWA Establishes Office of Ethnic Affairs
CWA established the Office of Ethnic Affairs in an effort to involve more minorities in the union and to assist active minorities to advance to all levels of the union.

1973 -

CWA Executive Board Adopts Policy on Discrimination
In the simplest of terms, the policy states that there will be no discrimination due to race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap or Vietnam veteran status. The CWA Discrimination policy is printed in every CWA Constitution.

1973 --

Establishment of Black and Other Minorities Structure Study Committee
During the 1973 Convention, extensive discussions were held on the methods by which CWA dealt with problems for women and minority members. As a result, the Executive Board established a "Blacks and Other Minorities Structure Study Committee and a Female Structure Committee." These committees were charged with recommending to the President and the Executive Board ways to better involve women and minorities in our union. In November 1973, these committees convened at the CWA Headquarters and prepared for the Executive board reports with recommendations. As a result of these recommendations, the Executive Board directed the President of CWA to develop a program to involve more minorities and women in the union.

1974 -

Executive Board Authorizes National Equity Committee; Adopts Program to Encourage Local COEs
The Executive Board authorized the appointment of a National Committee on Equity consisting of rank and file members from each District. The CWA Executive Board also adopted a program to foster and encourage the creation of Local COEs.

1976 -

First Meeting of National Committee on Equity
The first meeting of the National COE was held in 1976. The Committee's task was to review the status of our minority members and make recommendations to the Executive Board. A National COE has met annually since 1976.

1977 -

Internship Program Established
In 1977 an Internship Program was established for minority members. A year-long internship was offered to one minority member each year. The program was continued for three years.

1982 -

First National Conference on Minority Concerns
The First National Minority Leadership Conference was held in 1982. There have been other national minorities' conferences since then. In addition, the majority of CWA's eight District Sponsor annual District Minorities Conferences.

1983 -

First Minority Leadership Institute
In response to recommendations by the National COE for training opportunities directed to minorities, the Executive Board established the Minorities Leadership Institute (MLI)-a three-week intensive study program. The MLI has been held annually since 1983. Participants are recommended by the District Vice Presidents.

1989 -

Ethnic Affairs Office Change to Civil Rights and Fair Practices Office

Executive Board Adopts National Committee on Equity Recommendations to include Discrimination Policy in Constitution

1991 -

Convention Adopts Constitutional Amendment Requiring National Committee on Equity and National Women's Committee to report to Convention on Activities and make Recommendations

1992 -

National Committee on Equity and National Women's Committee Reports to Convention First Time