TNG-CWA Human Rights and Equity Conference Group Presentations
June 22, 2008 ~ Las Vegas, Nevada

Group I
Presented by Scott Stephens
Northeast Ohio Newspaper Guild, Local 34001
 
The group took away three concepts from the day’s presentations. They identified them in the following way:
 
1.  Partnering with School Systems: “Union In The Classroom”
 
(1)  Adopt-A-School/Literacy Outreach – connect unionism with literacy through relationships with Teacher’s unions.
(2)  Speaker’s Bureau
(3)  Outreach to student unions/college level: plug into student using faith-based model that has been so successful in San Jose
 
2. Economics: Use Waddoups data and share it in the following ways:
 
(1)  How much a job pays i.e. football player versus school teacher.
(2)  Wage gap – (compare) the difference between the 2 – player vs. teacher.
(3)  Explain how a union can effect how much they make. Use reduction data with members – quantify with disintegrating middle class. Example format: union “fact of the week” – distribute widely – on ‘Net, bulletin boards, etc.
 
3.Young Guild Members:
 
(1)  Engage – through profiles on website (diverse group)
(2)  Appeal to their strengths (& interests to get them involved)
(3)  Ask them to do little things – ex: organize barbecue, bring water to a meeting, etc.
 
Don’t question their commitment. Have high expectations of them.
 
Group II

Presented by Xavine Thompson
Canadian Media Guild, Local 30213
 
This group developed six key points from the presentations.  Take home…
 
1. Training district membership on union activism.
2. Mentorship is essential.
3. Encouraging union participation.
4. Unions are key to long-term wage stability.
5. Historical context of the union is imperative.
6. Union websites need to be accessible to members & “attractive” to non-members to foster “interest:” & “curiosity” about union issues.
 
Group III
Presented by Alden Habacon
Manager of Diversity Initiatives
Canadian Broadcasting Company
 
This group did a synopsis of the information presented by each of the conference speakers.
 
1. Diversity & Economics
      Stats are alarming
      Top 5 Key Graphs useful
      Proves data correlation between Wages & Union Strength
      Proves strength in Union Presence
 
2. Technology & Industry
      High Quality & Local Journalism is Key
      Unions fostering change (playing a role in change)
      Changing Consumer Habits
      NewYorkTimes.com>google news
 
Response:
 
i.    (This is not NEW news) – Newspapers have been evolving (FREE Dailies)
ii.    Keep in mind “Transition Stage” = What is the Human Impact? (Can’t ignore it)
iii.    Value of Specialization (mulit-talented)
 
3. Accessibility & The Web
      Design Websites with accessibility in mind.
      Keep audience in mind
      More usable
      “Business Case” = Effectiveness of site
      Enable People to get the information how they want (in their way)
      People Trust & Judge you on the Quality of (Accessibility) of your
      website (content excellence)
 
4.Youth
      Personal Touch is important
      Everyone has a right to contribute
      Succession & Mentorship
      Every Local has to work hard on Outreach to Youth (Industry & Union)
      Active in Schools
      Internships (Guild Office)