Communication And Sharing Program

The Committee is proud to announce a pilot program by Committee member Carl Younger of The Boston Newspaper Guild, local 31245, to increase communication and the sharing of ideas and experiences between members of equity seeking groups. Below is the full text of this program.
 
The Boston Newspaper Guild, Local 31245, and its parent union, The Newspaper Guild-CWA, are proud to announce a new pilot program for minorities and members of other equity seeking groups. These include, but are not limited to, people of color, aboriginal people, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, gays and lesbians etc.  
 
A definition of a labor union is an organization of workers banding together to negotiate fair working conditions and equitable salaries for its members with management. But a union is also a group of people which uses the incredible power of its members and multiple ideas to solve problems whether for an individual, small groups of individuals or the entire membership. 
 
We would like to use this power to affect positive change for minorities and other equity seeking groups by isolating issues that affect our daily lives and as a group research and discuss possible solutions based on past practices or by starting off on a new paradigm. People from these groups are under represented in unions especially in the leadership of the labor movement. This is an effort to change that dynamic through conversation, discussion of issues on why these groups are under represented by unions and in their leadership ranks and try and rectify some of those imbalances.
 
Our goal is to make positive changes in our lives so no issue is too small or large.  Goals could be: 

• Exploring what skills are needed to advance in our current jobs.

• What our rights are on the job.

• Understanding the history of the labor movement.

• Why corporations spend so much money fighting labor unions.

• Learning about cultural differences/similarities in equity seeking groups.

• Starting study groups to explore other languages.

• Any other goal or subject that the group agrees to is fair game.

We will be holding monthly meetings at the Boston Newspaper Guild, local 31245 headquartered at 49 Willard St., Quincy, MA. 617-265-2666.
 
The Newspaper Guild-CWA and local 31245 have agreed to contribute to an Information/education video library where members can explore the differences and similarities of the myriad cultures in our great country. Because funding is limited, any donations of educational films, cd’s, and cd-roms will be greatly appreciated. For questions, please call Carl Younger NE District Council Human Rights and Equity Committee Representative-BNG Local 31245, 617-929-2034.