The CWA 1037 Next Generation Caucus spent three days in Detroit with more than 200 CWA Next Gen activists from around the country for an annual summit dedicated to building our union and the labor movement into the future.

CWA 1037 activists led workshops on “Union Vs. Friedrichs” and “Talking Race & Gender at the Union Hall.” Our very own Abdul-Basit Haqq was also featured in a plenary session titled “A Labor of Love: Building an inclusive labor movement” to share his experience as a Muslim in the labor movement.

While in Detroit, our activists also joined Michigan United and dozens of local community, faith and elected leaders for a Fair Chance rally to “Ban the Box,” part of an international campaign by civil rights groups and advocates for ex-offenders, fighting to remove from their hiring applications the check box that asks if applicants have a criminal record.  This measure gives returning citizens a fair chance at getting a job and becoming a contributing member of our community.“I’m proud to have been a part of the most progressive CWA conference to date – and the most progressive union conference in the country,” said Victoria Fisher, a staff representative for CWA 1037. “The agenda was put together by CWA activists for CWA activists, reflecting the values of young workers in our union and our concerns about the future of our country and the labor movement.”

Next Generation activists were also joined by CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Stephens, an original CWA Next Gen member from District 9, and CWA president Chris Shelton, who encouraged attendees to build a movement based on inclusion and engage in the electoral process this November.

“One of our goals for CWA District 1 is to make sure that young activists are not just involved in this election cycle,” said  shop steward Ariana Uceta, “but to actively shape the political agenda for the future.”

If you want to learn more about CWA Next Generation you can reach Victoria at vfisher@cwa1037.org.