The 1037 Next Gen Caucus Chairperson Emma Claros brought positive New Jersey energy to the rally chanting, “Get up! Get down! Pittsburg is a UNION TOWN!”

From Miami to Anchorage the first CWA Next Generation Summit gathered more than 200 CWA members in Pittsburgh. The meeting of CWA activists aged 35 and under, addressed a wide range of issues from non-traditional organizing campaigns happening around the country, to digital media tools, promoting diversity in the labor movement, and training on direct action.

In addition to trainings, panels and workshops, Summit attendees also took to the streets of Pittsburgh in support of a local fight for workers’ rights. The Next Generation Summit turned out to support our brothers and sisters at CWA Local 13000 to kick-off their contract negotiation with Verizon.

“Besides putting Verizon on notice that workers are unafraid, organized, and ready to fight, we were inspired by speeches from Phillip Agnew (Executive Director of Dream Defenders) and Heather Mizeur (member of the Maryland House of Delegates),” said Emma Claros from CWA 1037’s Next Generation Committee. “The challenges are plenty and the fight will be long, but we were also inspired by the sound of our voices as we marched through Pittsburgh chanting, ‘We believe! We believe that we will win!’”

CWA Local 1037’s Next Gen Caucus has big plans for the rest of 2014.  If you’re interested in joining young workers for a meeting, a rally, or just to socialize, join here (http://www.cwa-union.org/issues/entry/c/next-generation),  and follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1469036129980573/).