CWA Political Activist Training Program
True legislative & political power comes from an organized working class fighting for justice.
CWA District 1 launched the Political Activist Program in 2014 to build more political power for the union with stronger LPATs, a broader base of political activists, and a clear vision for justice. All trainings are facilitated by member-trainers. The Political Department will provide ongoing support and guidance.
Below is a brief description of the various levels of political activist development.
Click here to download a PDF copy of this list.
REVERSING RUNAWAY INEQUALITY
CWA's Reversing Runaway Inequality Workshops are a 1-day crash course in the growing gap between the super-rich and ordinary workers and how the 1% uses racism to divide working people.
- Video about the training.
- Jacobin: Shared Foundations
- Labor Notes: Building an Army to Fight Runaway Inequality
POLITICAL BOOTCAMPS
Bootcamps are 2-day trainings with up to 25 members each. Bootcamps provide a mix of organizing skills and political education. In this training, Members become organizers and help recruit volunteers for legislative and political work and strengthen their political education. More information: CWA Political Activist Training
INTENSIVE POLITICAL ACTIVIST DEVELOPMENT
“Intensives” are usually 5-6 week trainings with 6-8 people in each class. Participants put the skills they learned in the Bootcamp into practice by conducting worksite presentations to educate members and recruit volunteers, phone bank, and door knock for our candidates. This training is usually run during an election campaign.
LPAT DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
The LPAT Intensives are a 4-5 months long trainings with several activists graduating from the “Intensive” who get together in monthly meetings focusing on either developing or strengthening the local LPAT. This training usually runs during the legislative session.
BUILDING OUR POLITICAL ACTION FUND - PAF TRAINING
The PAF training is a standing unit in all our trainings - but it can also be done as a separate unit to focus on skills and systems to raise funds for our Political Action Fund.
Click here to learn more about the CWA Political Action Fund
LEGISLATIVE TRAINING
The legislative training is focused on developing legislative leads in the LPAT to understand the legislative process and know how to lobby legislators on our issues.
NEW! DEMOCRACY DEFENDER TRAINING
The purpose of this 1-day training is to deepen members' understanding of the threat of authoritarianism in the U.S., and the role that unions should play in this fight. Furthermore, the training addresses current political-economic conditions, the historical context for the rise of authoritarianism, and the threats to labor posed by the growth of anti-democratic forces.
NEW! CWA Strong in the Public Sector
This 1-day training goes over why public sector unions are under attack, who’s behind it, how CWA is fighting back. This training is for internal organizers, mobilizers, shop stewards and can also be done as a 90-minute version.
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If you’re interested in any of the trainings, reach out to your local.