June 26, 2014

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CWA: Supreme Court Decision Shows Urgent Need for

Senate Rules Reform

Working Families at the White House

Cohen: Democracy Must Be Everyone's Second Issue

Senate Committee Hears Testimonies on Repairing the VotingRights Act

It Ain't Over!

AT&T, DirectTV Face Congressional Hearing Double Header

TPP: A Worry for Communities of Color

TPP Update

NABET-CWA: Supreme Court Decision on Aereo Protects Jobs ofBroadcast Industry Workers

Workers Rights Board Pledges to Stand with DenverSuperShuttle Drivers

T-Mobile's Foul-Mouthed, Trash-Talking CEO John Legere At ItAgain

We're Bringing TU Pride to Seattle

CWA: Supreme Court Decision Shows Urgent Need for Senate RulesReformn

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Following is CWA's statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's Noel Canningdecision, a case that challenged recess nominations made by President

Obama.

Today's Supreme decision is a sharp reminder that the U.S. Senatefunctions under archaic procedures that must change. That's especiallytrue of the rule requiring a super-majority, or 60 votes, for the Senate torecess.

The Senate rules are at the heart of this decision and the Constitution isclear that the Senate has the right to set its own rules.

In every other democratic meeting, from the local city council to anymajor parliamentary body, proceedings are recessed by a majority vote.Only the U.S. Senate requires a super-majority to proceed to debate onmost motions, legislation and including the motion to recess.

We have seen the consequences of this rule. It's been a key tactic usedby the Senate minority to block confirmation of the president's executiveand judicial nominations. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellmade his party's intentions clear when he said his goal was to makePresident Obama a one-term president. When that didn't succeed, theSenate minority stepped up a campaign of delay and obstruction, ofappointments and any progressive legislative advances. The minority'sstrategy of refusing to proceed to a vote for any recess has made amockery of the Senate's role in government.

The Senate's constitutional duty is to review the president's nomineesthrough "advice and consent" – not use parliamentary tricks to impedehis policy agenda.

For thousands of workers, this decision has real-life consequences.Some 120 decisions made by the National Labor Relations Board in theperiod contested by the Noel Canning lawsuit may be challenged andjustice for thousands of workers will be delayed, and in practice, denied.

The need for real Senate rules reform has never been clearer, or moreurgent. CWA and our allies, working together in the DemocracyInitiative, are keeping up the fight for Senate rules changes. Critical isan end to the super-majority vote requirement that blocks debate anddiscussion of nearly all Senate business, even the motion to recess.

Working Families at the White House

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The White House Summit on Working Families on Monday brought togetherlabor leaders, businesses, economists, policymakers, advocates and citizensfor a conversation on how America can better help families succeed at workand at home.

CWAers joined more than 250 women workers this week at the White HouseSummit on Working Families.

A CWA delegation, led by AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson andCWA National Women's Committee member Nancy Biagini, joined more than250 women workers at the summit.

President Obama used the event to push for improvements for workingwomen and their families, including:

Directing federal agencies to expand flexible workplace policies.

Urging Congress to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, whichwould require employers to make accommodations for pregnantwomen that allow them to keep their jobs.

Extending workplace protections so eligible employees in legal same-sex marriages will be able to take Family and Medical Leave Act(FMLA) leave.

Providing access to child care workers for job training programs.

Providing grants to states to conduct research that could support the

development or implementation of state paid leave programs.

Closing the gender pay gap by expanding women's access to Science,Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers and other non-traditional occupations.

Expanding tax credits that support working families.

Working with unions and labor management partnerships to expandquality training programs to provide pathways to middle-class jobs.

Read the full fact sheet here. And check out the recap of the first-ever summithere.

And just in time for the event, CWA launched 10 ways the Trans-PacificPartnership would hurt U.S. working families. Read and share our list here.

Cohen: Democracy Must Be Everyone's Second Issue

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The Alliance for Justice honored CWA President Larry Cohen with its 2014Champion of Justice Award. Presenting the award was Senator Tom Harkin(D-Iowa) with a special video message from Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.),who praised Cohen for leading the charge to change the Senate rules onnominations.

The Alliance for Justice named CWA President Larry Cohen its 2014

Champion of Justice for leading the charge to change the Senate rules onnominations. From left: Senator Tom Harkin, AFJ President Nan Aron,President Cohen.

Photo credit: Elliott O'Donovan

Harkin spoke of Cohen's passion and determination to get thingsaccomplished. "Larry was the critical part of our work on the Employee FreeChoice Act. We met week after week after week to get this done, and wecame so close. If it weren't for the Senate rules, we'd have employee freechoice, we'd have labor law reform. And it was Larry's leadership that drovethe rules reform effort. He was relentless and never stopped for a minute,until we won."

"Our work with Larry and the other members of the Fix the Senate Nowcoalition led to the extraordinary reform of Senate rules, which helped breakthe pattern of obstruction that has been doing so much damage to our courtsand our democratic institutions," said AFJ President Nan Aron.

Cohen stressed that Aron and AFJ have been a big part of the campaign toget key nominations confirmed by the Senate, even when the focus was onexecutive nominations, like members of the National Labor Relations Board,instead of judicial nominations. "In our work together, Nan said 'we need tobe united,'" Cohen said.

"Maybe the issue you most care about is collective bargaining rights, orfinancial reform or climate change. That's good. But the democracymovement to rebuild economic justice must be everyone's second issue. Orwe won't get anywhere," he said.

Click here for another good example of why the democracy movementmatters.

Senate Committee Hears Testimonies on Repairing the Voting Rights Act

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On a clear but balmy afternoon, a coalition of labor, civil and human rightsgroups held a rally on the U.S. Capitol grounds this week to urge the Houseof Representatives to follow the Senate's example and hold its own hearingson the Voting Rights Amendment Act.

The U.S. Supreme a year ago gutted the Voting Rights Act and a keyenforcement provision. Hundreds of civil rights, labor and good governmentactivists rallied on Capitol Hill to restore protections for the right to vote.

CWA and other members of the coalition have been pushing for the proposedamendment to begin to repair the damage done to the seminal American civilrights law when the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act a yearago, striking down a key enforcement provision of the law.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recalled a coalition of electedleaders gathering on the steps of the Capitol to urge the court to do the rightthing.

"They didn't, but we now have a chance to do so," Pelosi said. "This is asfundamental and as strong as our democracy. We are on sacred ground.There's nothing more fundamental than respecting every person's right tovote and to have that vote counted."

But Pelosi told the rally crowd that the bill faces an uphill task getting ahearing in the House because Republicans, who have mounted intensenationwide efforts to reduce the number of votes by people of color, lead theHouse and do not want a law that would blunt their efforts to deny people theright to vote.

"We have a bi-partisan bill, it doesn't do everything. It isn't the bill we wouldhave written in the majority, but it does correct the decision of the court. Weare calling upon the Speaker of the House to give us our vote on this bill sothat we can protect the votes of millions of people in our country," Pelosi said.

Other groups that provided testimonies at the Senate hearing andparticipated in the rally included: People for the American Way; the NAACPLegal Defense and Educational Fund; the American Civil Liberties Union;Common Cause; and the National Association of Latino Elected andAppointed Officials.

CWAers call on Congress to pass a proposed Voting Rights Amendment Act.

Wade Henderson, president of The Leadership Conference on Civil andHuman Rights, who was master of ceremony for the rally, said as a result ofthe Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, states and localitieshave busied themselves changing election laws to deny people the right tovote based solely on the color of their skin or the language they speak.

"The right to vote in our nation is in grave danger and you are here becauseyou recognize that threat to American democracy and you are here to help usall amplify our voices so that members of the House of Representatives, theHouse leadership most especially, hears about the importance of providing ahearing for this bill and a markup so we can move this thing forward,"Henderson said.

It Ain't Over!

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Taking a Stand in N.J.

New Jersey CWAers turned up at the State Capitol in Trenton on June 12thto tell Gov. Chris Christie that his plan to renege on pension plans for publicemployees will not stand. That day, 600 CWA members in NJ remindedChristie to keep his promise to fund the pension (and to follow the law hetakes credit for). These are some of those member's voices.

AT&T, DirectTV Face Congressional Hearing Double Header

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In back-to-back congressional hearings on Tuesday, the CEOs of AT&T andDirecTV explained to lawmakers how their merger would benefit workers andconsumers.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson and DirecTV CEO Michael White said theirservices – AT&T's copper and fiber networks and wireless, and DirecTV'ssatellite service – don't overlap but are complementary.

The merged company would be more competitive and able to bring highspeed broadband to 15 million people who now don't have access. AndStephenson told lawmakers that the merged company will offer to DirecTVemployees the options to collectively bargain or not. "That will be theirchoice," he said.

Stephenson and White testified before the Senate Judiciary subcommittee onanti-trust, competition policy and consumer rights, chaired by Senator AmyKlobuchar (D-Minn.), and the House Judiciary subcommittee on regulatory

reform, commercial and antitrust law.

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciarysubcommittee on antitrust, said this transaction could have "transformationalbenefit for thousands of employees in this industry."

In a letter to Senator Klobuchar, CWA President Larry Cohen said the merger"will expand high road labor standards and create substantive videocompetition."

AT&T also has made clear commitments that reinforce the benefit and valueof the merger to consumers, including investment and expansion in highspeed networks for underserved rural and urban communities, Cohen said.

"AT&T has the largest full-time union workforce of any company in America.From experience, we know that AT&T respects the rights of employees tomake their own choice about union representation and engage in collectivebargaining to establish their wages and benefits," he pointed out.

TPP: A Worry for Communities of Color

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If past trade deals are an indication, African Americans and othercommunities of color should be especially concerned about the Trans-PacificPartnership trade deal that's targeting more American jobs, experts testifiedat a House briefing on the Hill this week.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) urged activists to use the fight against TPP to holdtheir members of Congress accountable for their vote.

"These agreements allow large corporations to ship jobs overseas, creating aripple effect that hurts our communities," Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) said. "Weknow from experience that the good union jobs that help African Americansand other communities of color climb to the middle class are the first to bedecimated by these so called free trade agreements. I've witnessed this overand over and over again. This is true in my home district in Oakland, CA. It istrue in Detroit and it's true in so many places around the country."

CWA Legislative Director Shane Larson moderated a panel that also includedNAACP Washington Bureau Policy Director Hilary Shelton, ASFCME Asst.Legislative Director Barb Coufal and AFL-CIO Chief Economist Dr. BillSpriggs.

Shelton said there's a responsibility to learn from past experiences and tocorrect injustices.

Panelists agree: trade deals like TPP won’t create U.S. jobs. From left: CWALegislative Director Shane Larson, AFL-CIO Chief Economist Dr. Bill Spriggs,NAACP Washington Bureau Policy Director Hilary Shelton and ASFCMEAsst. Legislative Director Barb Coufal.

"Racial and ethnic minorities, especially African Americans workers, havehistorically been employed disproportionately in low-paying jobs in themanufacturing service sector, areas often more vulnerable to direct orresidual impact of such international agreements," he said. "Because of ourstrong commitment to job creation, we ask the question, will American jobsbe created by any eventual trade agreement?"

No, Spriggs said. Trade deals used to be about lowering tariffs but tariffs arepretty low the world over right now, he said. These new deals allowcorporations to take a job from one area of the world, move it elsewhere sothe job could be done much cheaper; they pocket the profits and tax breaks

despite not paying much taxes and Americans are left with the ruins.

"We are not going to get jobs out of this. Unless you believe in the ToothFairy and you're a very patient child, ain't going to happen. If you believeyou're going to get jobs, well, you've had since 1993 to get jobs out ofNAFTA. So far, all you've done is hurt the Mexican economy, sent millions ofpeople across their borders," Spriggs said.

Rep. Lee urged people at the briefing to use the TPP negotiations toorganize: "Go back to your organizations, organize, mobilize, educate andthen meet with your member of Congress and insist on not free but fairtrade," she said.

TPP Update

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CWAers Ready for Recess Actions

Congress is getting ready to leave D.C. for its July 4 recess. That meansCWAers and activists are gearing up for actions and events in home districtsstarting next week, focusing on the threat to "Buy American" and "buy local"programs from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. TPP would force ourgovernment to give foreign corporations equal access to bidding on contracts.

Click here and contact your representative.

And don't forget to download the CWA App and complete your profile. That'show you'll know the latest. For more information, go to www.cwa-union.org/app.

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IUE-CWA Activists Organize TPP Workshop

Activists from IUE-CWA Local 81201 in Lynn, Mass., hosted a workshop onthe Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal to keep the momentum moving tostop fast track and block this one-sided deal from taking effect. More than 60attended, from IUE-CWA Local 81201, Lynn United for Change, the NewLynn Coalition, SEIU Local 509 and Massachusetts Senior Action. Activistsdug into the details on the TPP and the harmful effects this deal would haveon the Lynn community. During the workshop, participants wrote letters to the

editor that were submitted to several local newspapers. U.S. Rep. JohnTierney (D) joined the group to discuss his opposition to the TPP, and whywe need trade that works for everyone, not just the 1 percent.

NABET-CWA: Supreme Court Decision on Aereo Protects Jobs of BroadcastIndustry Workers

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In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that the actions of Aereo, a start-up streaming service, violated copyright laws by capturing broadcast signalsfor free on miniature antennas and delivering them to subscribers for a fee.

The major television broadcasters brought the challenge, claiming that Aereowas in effect stealing content from the broadcast airwaves and enablingcustomers to view that content at just about real time.

NABET-CWA President Jim Joyce said the Aereo decision is an importantvictory that protects the jobs of broadcast industry workers, and benefitsconsumers too. "Aereo sought to transmit copyrighted works to the publicwithout payment of any license fees, threatening the core business model fortelevision networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, where our memberswork. Our members' jobs depend on that current model, and these licensingfees help pay for their salaries and benefits."

Consumers will benefit as the networks use the revenues from the licensingfees to invest in production, so that audiences can continue to enjoy high-quality, over-the-air programming, he said. NABET-CWA had signed on to anamicus brief – also called "friend of the court" brief – to weigh in on this case.The union represents about 8,600 workers in broadcast and cable television.

Workers Rights Board Pledges to Stand with Denver SuperShuttle Drivers

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Representatives from Denver International Airport SuperShuttle drivers,members of CWA Local 7777, testified at a Workers Rights Board hearinglast week about their employer's unfair and unethical practices during their

fight for a fair contract.

The community turns out to support Denver SuperShuttle drivers in the fightfor dignity and union protection as they bargain a contract with theiremployer. SuperShuttle walked away from the bargaining table and imposeda unilateral 30% pay cut on the drivers.

Workers joined CWA after a long fight to get a voice on the job. They'vecontinued to battle the company's anti-worker actions, including its move tounilaterally end negotiations and impose a contract with 30% wage cuts.

Four drivers testified before the board about their experiences with thecompany and their ongoing campaign to gain a fair contract. A legal experttestified on the exploitative "franchisee agreements" the drivers workedunder.

About 75 people attended the hearing, organized by Colorado Jobs withJustice.

Denver community leaders, including politicians, religious leaders andacademics, serve on the board. Colorado State Rep. Crisanta Durancommitted to sharing the drivers' story with her colleagues in the ColoradoState House of Representatives and finding other leverage overSuperShuttle.

Fekadu Ejigdegsew, a SuperShuttle driver since 2004, is one of the workersleading the fight for dignity, respect and fair wages.

"We find that SuperShuttle is violating the human rights and dignity of theseworkers," the Rev. Anne Dunlap of the United Church of Christ said after thehearing. "We call upon the community to stand with the drivers in their fightfor respect and dignity and a fair contract. I strongly condemn the actions ofSuperShuttle and how they are treating the drivers. This is America."

The Board said SuperShuttle must stop retaliating against workers, return tothe bargaining table to bargain in good faith, and treat all workers with dignityand respect. The Board will release a report documenting their findings andrecommendations.

"95% of the drivers voted to join CWA after two years of fighting with thecompany," Negede Assefa, who has been with SuperShuttle since 2004,said. "Before CWA started helping us organize, everybody was gettingabused by the company."

"We came to this country for a better life and to be treated with respect," saidFekadu Ejigdegsew, a SuperShuttle driver since 2004. "We are here to workvery hard but [SuperShuttle is] forcing us to get government assistance,which we don't like."

Sitting on the Denver Workers Rights Board are faith leaders, electedofficials, academics and community leaders.

The contract, Assefa said, does not pay workers enough to supportthemselves and their families.

Board participants made commitments to continue working with theSuperShuttle drivers towards their goal of a fair contract and protections onthe job. Lisa Duran, Executive Director of Rights for All People (RAP), animmigrant rights organization working in the Latino community of Denver,pledged space at RAP to the African immigrants who make up a majority ofSuperShuttle drivers and said she will work closely with the drivers and theirfamilies.

T-Mobile's Foul-Mouthed, Trash-Talking CEO John Legere At It Again

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Last week T-Mobile US unveiled a promotion to drum up more customers, butit had some people wondering about the company's questionable taste. ThenJohn Legere, the carrier's chief executive, chose to escalate things bycomparing the corporate strategy of rival carriers to rape.

The hyper-sexualized promotion invites the public to have a "7NightStand"with T-Mobile.

Start your relationship with T-Mobile and take the #7NightStandChallenge. The more you confess your cheating ways the better yourchances are at getting lucky and winning prizes like a seven dayromantic getaway for two!

Cheating on your carrier has never been so fun! Take us for a spin andshare your news!

Legere then took the podium at a company event and compared the prices ofrivals AT&T and Verizon to rape: "These high and mighty duopolists that areraping you for every penny you have, if they could do something nice for youthey would...The fu**ers hate you."

Legere says he speaks the way he does to connect with his employees andcustomers. He told Business Insider: "I may be a little rough and crude, butI'm much more like my customers and employees than I am an executive. Ithink employees relate to the way I speak, customers relate to exactly theway I think and talk. And it's who I am."

Many industry analysts and writers are now saying "his act is wearing thin."

The fraternity house environment of T-Mobile's executive offices – T-Mobilehas no women in senior leadership and just one woman on the corporateboard – lends itself to sexist advertising.

We're Bringing TU Pride to Seattle

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TU activists will be leading the labor delegation in this Sunday's Seattle PrideParade – walking directly behind one of the main hometown sponsors of theevent, T-Mobile US! The company's corporate headquarters are just outsidethe city.

TU activists will lead the labor delegation in this Sunday's Seattle Pride

Parade.

TU members, plus CWAers from Local 7800, CWA Local 7803 andAssociation of Flight Attendants-CWA, and union and community allies will bewaving our bright magenta #JusticeAtTMobile signs to send a loud and proudmessage for justice and fair treatment on the job. Just as we raisedawareness during the Albuquerque Pride Parade, parade marchers will behanding out palm cards about CEO John Legere and throwing candieswrapped in messages about the campaign and www.justiceattmobile.org.

If you're not in Seattle, you can join the action by tweeting #JusticeAtTMobileon June 29.

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