CWAers Fighting for Democracy

CWA took part in the Democracy Initiative (DI) Annual meeting, a convening of the 60+ partner organizations of the DI to plan for 2018 and beyond. The mission of the DI is simple: Democracy is a 365 days per year endeavor and we are fighting to advance social and economic justice for all.

The DI panel discussion featured a testimonial from a participant in the CWA Fight Forward, Yasmeen Alston – American Airlines Reservations Agent and Steward for CWA Local 3640 in Winston-Salem, NC.

CWA President Chris Shelton was featured on a panel discussing race, class, and gender equity and how building solidarity across these issues is vital to a strong progressive movement.

"Unions give ordinary people a collective voice in the political decision-making process that determines the quality of all of our lives," Shelton said. "No matter your race, sexual orientation, or creed, we are all brothers and sisters in the workplace."

Shelton highlighted CWA's Fight Forward training program as one of the most powerful ways CWA is building solidarity around race, class, and gender to strengthen our union for fights at the bargaining table and at the ballot box.

The discussion featured a testimonial from a participant in the Fight Forward, Yasmeen Alston – American Airlines Reservations Agent and Steward for CWA Local 3640 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Alston discussed the important tools she learned going through the training, including the power of coalition building and being a bridge for the union into the community.

About 100 leaders from the largest national progressive groups were in attendance at the meeting including the NAACP, Sierra Club, People for the American Way, Greenpeace, Common Cause, the AFL-CIO, and many others. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) spoke to participants about the importance and power of grassroots organizing. Former CWA President Larry Cohen was honored at the meeting.

Watch Yasmeen's video here.