Vision
Dear Union Family,
I’m running for re-election. For the past 4 years, I have served as the CWA Vice President of the Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Sector and I seek to continue the progress we have made. We have faced unprecedented challenges and been attacked on all sides: from the pandemic and anti-union legislation, to austerity cuts and Wall Street’s greed, while experiencing unprecedented attacks on our democracy. Yet, we have grown stronger and have been united in a powerful way.
My number one objective for this office was to bring PHEW into the national strategy by working closely with national leadership and staff. Today, the PHEW sector has grown to almost 130,000 members nationwide–and we are growing every single day. That can only have been done with collaboration and hard work across Locals, Districts and in conjunction with CWA Headquarters.
In the past four years, we have accomplished a lot:
- American Rescue Plan
I used SIF funds for a national PHEW mobilization to utilize the stimulus money from the American Rescue Plan. Locals used tools that we provided to push legislators to raise minimum wages, provide essential pay to frontline workers, and to invest in restoring employment in depleted areas.
- Contract Database
The PHEW Office worked with the Research Department to improve and expand the CWA Contract Database. We aggressively collected new contracts, improved procedures, and expanded access for local leaders. This helped our sector’s ability to bargain and administer their agreements.
- SIFS/Growth Funds
The PHEW Office partnered with the national office and multiple districts to pass SIFs and Growth Funds to support organizing, mobilization and to develop robust political programs in almost every District.
- PHERN Calls
I have built a solid communication network where PHEW locals from every district have a dedicated space to discuss challenges, share victories and gain information.
- PHEW Activist Academy
In 2021, I established the PHEW Activist Academy which is held quarterly throughout the year. We have held workshops on Student Loan Debt, Pensions, and Media strategy with the CWA NewsGuild. Local leaders and I have also taught various software training classes including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Through countless conversations and joining with you in your fights on the ground, I believe our powerful sector can achieve still more to deliver for our members and grow our power at work, in our communities, and in the political arena that affects us not just as citizens, but as public servants. Here’s what that looks like:
- More political action
- I will partner with all districts to fight back against the Freedom Foundation.
- I will help to facilitate national PHEW Lobby Days as well as assisting on the state and local levels.
- The CWA PHEW GOTV Squad will be expanded to assist with all political mobilization efforts.
- More communication and mobilization nationally
- I will continue to execute a national CWA PHEW Sector communications strategy.
- I plan to work with the Secretary-Treasurer’s office to help clean up our contact information for both active members and retirees. This is necessary for all of our fights.
- More organizing
- I want to garner support in all districts for SIF and Growth Funds across the union to support internal growth to strengthen our Locals, and continue to find more opportunities to increase our numbers in new areas.
- I will expand membership in municipalities and states alongside existing units.
- More education
- I will expand our CWA PHEW Activist Academy to include workshops on Arbitration and Grievance training for shop stewards.
- I want to create and develop a national CWA PHEW college internship program.
- I will create more Leadership opportunities for local leaders.
Despite the odds, the CWA PHEW Sector has remained strong, and we have developed a dynamic structure for connecting, educating and mobilizing across the country. In this extraordinarily challenging and unique time of crisis, we seized the opportunities to mobilize, organize, and take action together. We won. We know the attacks won’t stop. I know you know what we’re up against. And I know you know what we can do, when we stand in unity.
Let’s keep fighting. Because when we fight, we win!
I am asking for your support, and for your vote, to keep leading for every member of our sector. Join me.
In solidarity,
Margaret Cook
for CWA, Vice President, Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Sector