Activism Touted
as Key to Future

One of the most immediate effects of the Guild’s merger with the CWA has been an increased emphasis on the need for members to be actively engaged in the union’s affairs: collective bargaining, grievance handling, governance, administration. The CWA calls it mobilizing, and the Guild has enthusiastically embraced the concept and attempted to integrate it to all the union activities.

So it came as no great surprise that this year’s convention featured a new committee devoted to the effort. It was a bit of a surprise that I was asked to chair it, and I was honored when the delegates elected me to the slot.

Working with recommendations from TNG’s Executive Council the committee urged the convention to:

• Hold more mobilization training seminars for local activists, (the Guild has done two so far).
• Assist locals in developing mobilization plans, including establishing a mobilizing network for local activists.
• Utilize CWA training opportunities while continuing the Guild’s own annual training program for new local officers.

The committee also developed its own recommendation to encourage locals to participate in the AFL-CIO Union Cities program.

Each of the recommendations were adopted by convention delegates, and should form the framework for the Guild’s continuing efforts to increase the participation of members in their union.

With the support and encouragement of our local delegation, I also had the privilege of nominating Bernie Lunzer for his second term as secretary/treasurer, and seconding the nomination of Jane Snow as our regional vice president. Both Lunzer and Snow were enthusiastically supported by the Buffalo local when they ran for their first terms in 1995, and since their elections they have done a great job representing our local on the international level. Lunzer was elected by acclaim at the convention, and I believe Snow deserves our support in her campaign for a second term.

- Marian Needham