Political Action Update - Lobby Day In New Jersey + Primary Day in New York

New Jersey CWAers Hold Huge Lobby Day to Fight for Pro-Worker Legislation

On June 22nd CWA members from Locals 1032, 1033, 1037 and 1038 held their first Lobby Day of the year, gathering in Trenton to first learn more about the legislative process and what lobbying means, and then to visit the Statehouse to speak directly with legislators. 

Members attended several legislative committee hearings and spoke with their elected leaders about several pro-worker pieces of legislation that CWA is fighting for:

• Expansion of collective bargaining rights for local government and college workers
• Relief for local government workers from crushing health care premium increases
• Extension of the New Jersey Corporate Business Tax (CBT) surcharge. 

CWAers also joined community allies in front of the Statehouse for a rally to call for the extension of the New Jersey CBT surcharge. This rally included a march from the Statehouse to the Trenton office of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, where Christian Estevez, CWA District 1 New Jersey Legislative and Political Director, spoke about the need to prioritize the funding of much-needed public services over tax breaks for big corporations and the billionaires that own them.

Big Wins for CWA Endorsed Candidates in the New York Primary Election

CWA members in New York City and Western New York hit the streets on June 27th to talk to voters about several strong pro-worker candidates - and helped secure a number of big wins!

In New York City, CWA teamed up for the second time with four other labor unions - SEIU32BJ, the New York State Nurses Association, District Council 37, and the Hotel Trades Council - to form the LaborStrong Coalition, backing a slate of pro-worker candidates for City Council, and we came away with great results for both our CWA and LaborStrong-endorsed candidates.

On Primary Day, Locals 1101, 1106, and 1109 had over 20 members volunteering throughout the day in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Members spoke to voters, handed out flyers, and made sure that area residents were registered to vote. When the polls closed, we celebrated a very successful day and campaign season: 40 out of 41 of our endorsed candidates won their races.

Here is our join statement from the LaborStrong coalition:

“Two years after we elected pro-labor and pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot in one of the most competitive citywide election cycles, we proved yet again what worker power can build in NYC. With so many NYC Council Members up for re-election this primary cycle, we saw an opportunity to strengthen our considerable union muscle at the legislative level. After more than 100K door knocks and 250K phone calls, we proved yet again that if you are an elected official in this city, it always pays to go with the union card.”

In Western New York, members and retirees of Locals 1122 and 1168 canvassed on Election Day for Leah Halton-Pope for Ellicott District seat, and also came away with a victory!