D1 Shop Stewards in NJ Gather for First In-Person Stewards Conference Since 2019

​

More than 500 Shop Stewards representing CWA locals throughout New Jersey came together on September 21st for the annual Shop Stewards Training - the first one held in person since 2019 following two years of virtual trainings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor opened up the full day training with a fiery speech to rally the Stewards for a full day of learning how to build power and political action.

​“We need to fight the bosses and build political power,” said VP Trainor. “Make no mistake, the Freedom Foundation and other organizations are coming after us. They’re coming after our members, going after them one-by-one to get them out of the union. But we knew when the Janus [Supreme Court ruling targeting public sector workers] was coming, and we fought back!”

The Stewards spent the day discussing recent tough fights and big victories, mobilization tactics to take on tough employers like Local 1032’s march on the boss and petition drop at the Middlesex County Board of Social Services, and Local 1089’s rallying and media attention at the Bergen County Board of Social Services to fight for a fair contract. They also discussed the vital importance of political action, especially with so many State workers among the membership, and how to increase member engagement with our political work.

Members also heard from several guests all working on tough organizing campaigns throughout the country - Sara Mughal and Bella Griep, Starbucks workers who helped organize their NJ location; Josh Thole, a former Major League Baseball player who has been working to help organize Minor League Baseball; and Patricia Allen, a Delta Flight Attendant working to organize with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

“Throughout all of the Union busting, CWA has been with us, supporting, teaching us what joyful solidarity is,” said Bella of the solidarity shown by CWA members for unionizing Starbucks workers over recent months.

​