CWA 9505

3820 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107
Main Number - 626-304-9505 Fax Number - 626-304-9511 Info Line - 626-304-9655
Email: cwa9505@cwa9505.org

HORTON'S NEWS YOU CAN USE

"I Prefer Yes We Will Over Yes we Can;

It's Far More Definitive"

Jerome E. Horton , Member Board of Equalization

California Must Be Prepared to Receive It Share of the $35 Billion Job Proposal.

Greetings!

Under the proposed law, companies that hire the unemployed would claim new tax breaks under a jobs-promoting bill the Senate passed Wednesday.

It's the first major bill to pass the Senate since the Christmas Eve passage of a deeply controversial health care bill and the subsequent election of Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown, which rocked Democrats by demonstrating their falling standing even among heavily Democratic voters.

The bill contain two major provisions. First, it would exempt businesses hiring the unemployed from the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll tax through December and give them an additional $1,000 credit if new workers stay on the job a full year. The Social Security trust funds would be reimbursed for the lost revenue.

Second, it would extend highway and mass transit programs through the end of the year and pump $20 billion into them in time for the spring construction season. The money would make up for lower-than-expected gasoline tax revenues.

The Senate's $35 billion proposal is a far smaller measure than the $862 billion economic stimulus bill enacted a year ago.

The measure cleared a key hurdle Monday when Brown and four other Republicans broke party ranks to defeat a filibuster. Republican leaders said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had used strong-arm tactics to bring the measure to the floor.

In all, 13 Republicans voted for the measure Wednesday. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska was the only Democrat in opposition.

Jerome E. Hoton, Vice Chair

California Board of Equalization

INTERESTED IN OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES FOR DISLOCATED WORKERS

Workers laid off either due to plant closure or downsizing, or who have been out of work for prolonged periods, may be eligible to receive retraining/transition services including on-the-job training, classroom training or customized training in demand occupations. Training for dislocated workers is designed to re-employ individuals by developing and matching transferable skills with job opportunities in growth industries. We encourage you to contact the South Bay One Stop Center for More Information on this and the following programs.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR OLDER WORKERS
Seniors 55 years and older can receive job placement assistance as experienced participants for full or part-time work. The South Bay One -Stop Business & Employment Centers are able to place ready, willing and able seniors who want to invest their time and energy in meaningful employment.

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Jerome is helping the unemployed prepare for future and current employment opportunities.

Horton as a former Board Member of the California State Work Force Investment Board encourage you to call the One-Stop at (310) 318-0645.310-318-0645 e-mail: bcos@redondo.org

for help with the programs listed in this News Letter.

Dear Tony gonzales,

CWA members log thousands of hours with Lynda- Complements of CWA

Since offering the Lynda.com program, over 500 CWA members have participated in watching over 14,500 training movies. The popularity of the program continues to grow and space is limited.

If you are interested please visit www.cwanett.org/lynda to be scheduled for your access to this great training program. Access is granted for 14 days, by order of request. You may participate in several sessions throughout the year. Please note there is usually a brief waiting list.

lynda.com is an award-winning provider of educational materials, including Hands-On Training instructional books, the Online Training Library�, CD- and DVD-based video training, and events for creative designers, instructors, students and hobbyists.

CWA will pay your exam fees

For a limited time, CWA will pay certification exam fees for CCENT or CCNA Discovery, or the exam fee for any class that is part of a certification taken through CWA/NETT as part of the 2,010 students in 2010 campaign to commemorate the 10th anniversary of CWA/NETT Academy. Those who become certified in any of our programs also are eligible for a drawing to win one of 10 Dell netbook computers. The highest participating Local also will receive two Dell computers.

Call CWA/NETT Academy at 877-676-4553; or visit www.cwanett.org/2010.

Next classes for all CWA/NETT Academy courses begin March 1 and April 5, 2010. Register now and begin the process of getting your tuition assistance or training funding in place.

GUILTY

On Wednesday January 6, 2010 the CWA Trial Board met to hear charges filed against former CWA 9505 President Rosio Blanco, former Executive Vice President Dennis DeMarco, former Vice President Thomas Montoya, former Secretary/ Treasurer Robyn Walker, former Secretary/Treasurer Anna Pathirana.

The above mentioned were charged with multiple violations of the CWA Constitution, the By-Laws of local 9505 and the local rules and policies. None of the above appeared to present a defense to the charges.

The Trail Court composed of Terry Daly CWA District 1 New York, Brent Duvall CWA District 7 Idaho and Georgia Thomas CWA District 6 Texas found there were numerous instances of credit card abuse, lack of financial accountability, duplicate receipts and vouchers. These actions of the above mentioned could have put CWA and Local 9505 in harm�s way.

The judgments of the trial panel are as follows;

� Rosio Blanco- Suspend membership in CWA or any of its affiliates for a period of ten years and a $3500 fine.

� Dennis DeMarco- Suspend membership in CWA or any of its affiliates for a period of ten years and a $3500 fine.

� Tomas Montoya- Suspend membership in CWA or any of its affiliates for a period of ten years and a $3500 fine.

� Anna Pathirana- Suspend membership in CWA or any of its affiliates for a period of ten years and a $3500 fine.

� Robyn Walker- Suspend membership in CWA or any of its affiliates for a period of 3 years and a $3,241.85 fine.

For detailed information about specific charges filed please contact the Local at 626-304-9505

March 4, 2010

Moving Forward on 'Ready for the Future'
Union Fights to Keep 1,100 Jobs in the U.S.
Texas Dish Workers Vote CWA in Two Elections
Union Members Celebrate Election Victories in New Mexico, Texas
How High Speed Broadband Can Build a Green Future

Moving Forward on 'Ready for the Future'

CWA's union-wide campaign to improve our union's effectiveness, "Ready for the Future," is moving forward.

We started this dialogue at the 2005 Convention, with the convention mandating an 11-point Ready for the Future plan. Working together, we've accomplished a lot, including a hugely successful strategic industry fund (SIF) program that has financed bold campaigns, like Speed Matters, telecom, and health care and bargaining rights. We've expanded local leader perspective on the Executive Board and built an active Stewards Army that has made a real difference.

CWA's Executive Board met February 15-16, discussed next steps and adopted recommendations tat continue the work begun at our 2005 convention and address the convention mandate of the Ready for the Future resolution regarding the "right-sizing" of the Board by 2011 and the effective use of resources. These recommendations need to be acted on at the 2010 convention in order to be implemented in 2011.

The recommendations are available here.

Nearly 16 million Americans are unemployed and millions more are worried about losing their jobs. In 2009, 30,000 CWA union jobs were lost, the highest number ever in a single year, and the labor movement lost 800,000 members in 2009. Across CWA and across every sector, we need to put our resources to work where they will be most effective. We don't have the option of doing nothing, and waiting for another day. We need to work strategically and effectively now to keep our union strong.

Union Fights to Keep 1,100 Jobs in the U.S.

Some 5,500 union members and supporters rallied in Evansville, Ind., to protest Whirlpool's plans to close the plant and move 1,100 jobs to Mexico.

About 5,500 union members, leaders and supporters rallied in Evansville, Ind., to fight to keep the Whirlpool plant there open.

Whirlpool wants to close the plant so it can spend $110 million on a new facility in Mexico. Refrigerators manufactured at the Mexican plant mainly will be sold in the U.S. market. If the Indiana plant closes, about 900 members of IUE-CWA Local 84808 and 200 managers will lose their jobs.

IUE-CWA President Jim Clark said "Whirlpool's decision to shut down and move our work to Mexico is greed-driven and an atrocity. We know companies need to make money, but moving jobs out of the country during this economic crisis is shameful."

CWA District 4 Vice President Seth Rosen said that it's time that corporations in the United States take some responsibility for helping to reverse the economic downturn. "It's time for our government at all levels to hold corporations accountable for their behavior, especially when they have received millions in taxpayer dollars."

AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka, community leaders and activists and supporters across the region joined the rally. Clark and Rosen and about 40 demonstrators delivered petitions to the front door of the factory.

Whirlpool told workers not to participate in the rally, threatening them that "these negative activities will only hamper employees when they look for future jobs." IUE-CWA has filed an unfair labor practice charge.

Union leaders have been reaching out to state and local elected officials to find ways to keep the plant open. A petition campaign by IUE-CWA asks activists to send a message to Whirlpool CEO Jeff Fettig that calls on Whirlpool to "be a good corporate citizen and keep the Evansville plant open." Go to www.unionvoice.org/campaign/whirlpool.

Texas Dish Workers Vote CWA in Two Elections

Dish Network workers celebrate organizing victories at two locations in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

Workers at two Dish Network locations in Texas won CWA Local 6171 representation in spite of management's illegal efforts to intimidate them.

The 103 network technicians and warehouse employees in Farmers Branch and North Richland Hills voted for CWA in separate elections. CWA District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn said local organizers helped workers build strong inside committees and stay united.

The Farmers Branch campaign got underway when Dish cut hourly pay for some workers by $13 an hour and changed the pay system for all workers. Three-quarters of the workers signed a public statement supporting union representation, and workers voted 25-19 for CWA Local 6171.

Trying to intimidate the workers, management challenged every vote during the election. Local organizer Tony Shaffer helped workers stick together and face down management's threats. Shaffer is a cable tech who helped organize co-workers when he worked at AT&T Broadband and Comcast.

The 53 workers at the North Richland Hills office voted 33-16 for CWA, hours after the first election. Key to the victory were workers' unity and that three-quarters of the workers signed the public support statement.

Local 6171 organizers Shaffer and Jody Wilborn, Local President Allen Whitaker and Executive Vice President Milton Grant, District 6 staff representatives Jerrell Miller and Guy Stewart, and District 6 organizing coordinator Sandy Rusher all supported the workers' campaign.

Union Members Celebrate Election Victories in New Mexico, Texas

CWAers in New Mexico helped Santa Fe Mayor David Coss, the former president of CWA Local 7037, win a second term in this week's mayoral election.

A month of solid campaigning by CWA members in New Mexico and an intense get-out-the-vote effort Tuesday gave a former CWA local president a decisive second term win as Santa Fe's mayor.

David Coss won 58 percent of the vote and beat two challengers. He was president of CWA Local 7037 when it began organizing public workers in the 1980s.

"David tells people, 'I come from labor. I am labor. I don't forget labor,'" said New Mexico State Employee Alliance-CWA President Robin Gould.

As a city councilor before first being elected mayor in 2006, Coss supported public workers in the successful campaign for bargaining rights and continues to champion worker issues.

In another election victory, former AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson won the Democrat primary for lieutenant governor in Texas. She will face Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst Nov. 2.

"I'm humbled to have won the Democratic primary without a runoff," Chavez-Thompson said. "Our job is just beginning as we take our message to independent voters, frustrated voters, and working families."

How High Speed Broadband Can Build a Green Future

At a Capitol Hill briefing, CWA Exec. VP Annie Hill and other speakers spotlighted the connection between high speed broadband and a greener economy.

There's a real connection between high speed broadband and building a greener economic future. A new report released by CWA and its green partners shows how improving broadband technology can revolutionize energy use and management in the United States, boosting our economy.

"Networking the Green Economy: How Broadband and Related Technologies Can Build a Green Economic Future" shows how smart buildings, smart grids, telemedicine and other applications of high speed broadband and a connected economy, will conserve energy resources and promote good, green jobs.

The report was released at a Capitol Hill briefing with Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming; Nick Sinai, Energy and Environment Director, Federal Communications Commission; CWA Executive Vice President Annie Hill and others

Hill said "expanding broadband and the smart grid will create good jobs. Investments in the green economy, including more efficient use of resources and energy, are the job creators of the 21st century. That's why any national broadband plan must be focused on job creation."

The report is a project of the Progressive States Network, the Sierra Club, the Blue Green Alliance and CWA.

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2010 CWA/AT&T EMPLOYEE GIVING CAMPAIGN WINNERS FOR THE GRAND PRIZES:

� 32� SHARP LCD FLAT SCREEN T.V. ($500 value) - EDWINA GARCIA (The T.V. is being donated to Vincent for Hope For the Homeless Youth!)

� Big Bear Cabin for 3 days & 2 nights ($500 value) � KASHAWN NICHOLSON

� DYNEX 19� LCD TV 720P ($300 value) � NORMA BRUNO

� Brighton Purse ($265 value) � GARY JUSTIN

� Brighton Wallet ($115 value) � CARVEL HONORE

� Magic Mountain Family Pack ($137.50 value) � CARMEN HERRERA

� Magic Mountain Family Pack ($137.50 value) � FRANK Del CAMPO

� 2 Pasadena Playhouse Tickets ($90 value) � CLAUDIA LEZCANO

� 2 Pasadena Playhouse Tickets ($90 value) � FRANCISCO RUIZ

� Universal Studios Tickets ($120 value) � GUS CHAVEZ

CWA Local 9505 Charity of choice

LIVE UNITED

Here's this week's news from the CWA Health Care Campaign:

'Like Paul Revere,' sounding the alarm on the plan to tax out benefits
Nearly 200 CWA activists visited Capitol Hill last week, pushing for our goals on health reform -- and, especially, insisting on a reform bill that doesn't tax our benefits. "We're sounding the alarm on this," CWA's President Larry Cohen told a group of local activists on Wednesday, and they gathered at headquarters before fanning out to talk to members of the Senate and House. "It's like Paul Revere and the Revolution."

Stories behind CWA's health care activists
Among nearly 200 CWA activists who came to Washington last week to lobby for health reform were David and Kelly Arellanes, of Local 6508 in Little Rock, Ark., and Jeanine Maury of Local 7800 in Seattle. Their personal stories are dramatic demonstrations of why the health insurance system must change.

Majority of House Democrats say, 'No tax on benefits!'
A majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives have signed a letter opposing a tax on benefits. The tax on benefits is included in a health reform bill from the Senate Finance Committee. CWA research shows that the proposed tax would do serious damage to our health coverage.

Public option: Doctors prescribe it, Robert Reich explains it
There's a lot of misunderstanding about the public health insurance option -- misunderstanding that's been fed by disinformation from supporters of the status quo. Actually, the public option is "not very scary or complicated at all," Robert Reich, former labor secretary, explains in a new video.