The triangle symbolizes the three major programs of the union. None can stand alone. If the triangle is broken on any side, sooner or later it will be broken on every side.

Representation and day-to-day contract administration with collective bargaining is the base of the triangle. Yet the other two sides - organizing and community and political action are just as critical to CWA strength. We can build our union with effective organizing in the existing bargaining units, organizing the unorganized workers, we can continue our strength at the bargaining table. Similarly, unless we have effective community and political action programs, we will not have the kind of popular and legislative support we need to bargain effectively.

Organizing

Organized workers will grow if our members are active in building our union. Organizing cannot be viewed as a separate activity.

CWA's organizing strategy relies upon strong local organizing committees who are supported by staff and resources from the international union. Each of us must take on the task of bringing new members into our union. If we are to reverse the decline of the labor movement in the U.S., organizing must be more than a slogan.

Community and Political Action

Our fundamental goals are to improve the standard of living for our families, job security, and real protection for the right to organize.

Improving our chances of electing candidates who share our vision means that we must align ourselves with family members, members of other unions, and unorganized workers who support our goals. We need to increase our political power by building coalitions with other labor organizations, and community-based groups who share a similar outlook. We continually struggle to protect our right to healthcare with every contract we bargain. Corporations continue to erode our job security, we need to have the political power to restore our rights as workers.

Representation

Representation on the job is a primary purpose of the union and the base of our triangle. Representation is linked to our ability to increase our power through organizing and effective political action.
Bargaining with management who continually argues to lower wages and benefits and to eliminates job security in the name of efficiency is always on the table. Though corporations continue to grow profits, with strong representation we will continue to make it better than before. As we attempt to improve our working conditions and bargain new contracts, we need to enlist new volunteers for organizing and political action too.

What can we do?

• We increase our commitment to organizing the unorganized, both in our work places and our communities.

• We join in when we mobilize for better contracts and as we defend our rights on the job between contracts.

• We build the triangle by discussing key issues at regular worksite meetings and in "one-on-ones" with our co-workers. We build it as we become active in organizations in our communities, linking that work back to our union work. We build the triangle as we talk to friends and family members in unorganized workplaces and encourage them to help build the union where they work.

In Unity,

The Executive Board

CWA Local 4322