CWA adopts innovative plan on diversity,
adds voices of local activists to top leadership
TORONTO — In an historic action to
support efforts to reach out to a new generation of
workers – who
are in growing numbers women and minorities – delegates
to the 2007 convention voted to expand CWA's 19-member
Executive Board, establishing four at-large diversity
seats that give greater voice to local leaders.
This action strengthens the foundation of a union
already known for its progressive values and ensures
that CWA leadership reflects the diversity, experiences
and strengths of the full range of CWA's membership.
Convention delegates established four at-large diversity
board member seats representing four geographic areas
of the union, with the goal of having at least three
be people of colour and at least two women.
"This is not about being politically correct,
it's about doing the right thing, and that is to elect
local leaders to our Executive Board and to reflect
the makeup of our union membership so that our unity
is stronger among all our members," said CWA President
Larry Cohen.
"Bringing the perspective and ideas of local
leaders and activists to the top ranks of the union's
leadership can only make us stronger and wiser and
better equipped to take on the tough challenges facing
our movement in the 21st century," Cohen said.
"Our fight for economic justice in the workplace
and social justice in our world is strengthened today
by this action to make certain that workers of every
description see themselves reflected in our leadership," he
said.
"The fight for equity and justice is what organized
labor is all about, and CWA has always been on the
forefront of positive change," said CWA Secretary-Treasurer
Barbara J. Easterling. "This diversity plan ensures
that all will have a strong voice in the workplace,
in society and in our union," she said. "It's
the right thing to do, the smart thing to do, the only
thing to do," she said.
This action was a key component of CWA's Ready for
the Future program, adopted last year to strengthen
CWA's grassroots activist base and develop strategic
initiatives to take on critical issues in industries
and public policy.
CWA Secretary-Treasurer Easterling headed a committee
of local and national elected officers that over the
past year explored ways to increase Executive Board
diversity. The committee mailed surveys to solicit
and incorporate suggestions from locals, held regional
meetings and met with local unions to exchange ideas
on building diversity and determine how best to move
forward. The committee proposal was posted on the union's
website, with members posting comments, discussing
the proposal and offering recommendations.
The CWA Executive Board initially will appoint four
members to the at-large diversity seats; those appointments
will come from nominations made by the Committee on
Equity, the National Women's Committee and the CWA
Minority Caucus. Nominations will be made by Sept.
1, 2007. At-large diversity board members will have
a full voice and vote on all Executive Board deliberations.