CLUW is seeking a passionate and detail oriented advocate to head CLUW's national office in Washington, DC as Executive Director. Please find the job posting with full details on the position here: https://www.unionjobs.com/listing.php?id=16400.

As was announced at the 20th Biennial CLUW Convention, our long-time and much loved current Executive Director, Carol Rosenblatt, is retiring and stepping down from her role in CLUW. Carol has been serving faithfully in the role of Executive Director for almost 20 years and while we are sad to see her go we are confident we will find a well suited successor.

Applicants should have experience leading an organization, delegating work assignments, handling financial matters, developing relationships, organizing and working with women and other allies for collective action towards social change, justice and economic security. The prospective candidate must be well versed in the U.S. labor movement and will be responsible for the administration of CLUW programs, carrying out the policies established by the National Officers Council, National Executive Board, Convention and Constitution of CLUW under the direction of the National Officers Council and President.

To apply for the position please send your cover letter, resume, three references and one writing sample to: CLUW@cluw.org; subject line: Executive Director Position. We hope to find a prospective candidate in time for a healthy transition to take place, so if you are interested in the position please send in your materials ASAP.

We wish Carol the best as she transitions to retirement and we look forward to finding a successor who will embody her passion, work-ethic, and commitment to CLUW. If you know someone who you think could be a good fit for the job please direct them to our website for this information.

Panelists speak on 'Making HERstory: Sisters of the Next Generation' panel. L-R: Nyssa Silva, Associate Director of High School Organizing for March for Our Lives, Las Vegas, NV; Katy Martinez, High School Student and Daughter of Culinary Union Members with Temporary Protective Status; Cassandra Charles, Field Organizing Specialist for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Panel moderator Sabrina Larsen, REC Coordinator for Salt Lake Area APWU not shown.

A highlight of the 2019 CLUW Convention were the three diverse and enlightening panels held over the three days of Convention plenary sessions. Kicking off the panels was ‘Making HERstory: Sisters of the Next Generation’ which consisted of highly impressive young activists fighting for change in the areas of reproductive rights, immigration, and gun safety. All of the panelists were either in high school or college and were able to teach the audience important lessons about finding your voice, the power of mentoring, and believing in your own ability even in the face of other’s doubt. Attendee and Co-chair of CLUW’s Young Workers Caucus, Teresa-Marie Oller (APWU), found the panel to be ‘absolutely amazing’ and noted it was much needed to see women of all ages doing work which aligns with CLUW’s mission.

The next day another group of activists, this time teachers from across the county, joined together on the inspiring ‘Teacher Power Rising’ panel. The panelists, including AFT and NEA union members and leaders from Western Virginia, Los Angeles, and Arizona, described what could be learned from the successes and hardships of recent teacher actions in their respective areas. Panelist Arlene Inouye, a speech therapist and Secretary Bargaining Chair for UTLA (United Teachers Los Angeles), spoke on how shifting the union from a ‘service union to an organizing union’ and bringing ‘common-good demands’ which benefit parents and students, not just teachers, to the bargaining table was crucial in getting the whole community involved in their fight and ultimate victory. Attendee Kathy Black (AFSCME) noted that the ‘Teachers' panel was informative, inspiring, very timely.’

Another timely panel, held on the last day of the convention, focused on building community and labor alliances to create stronger and more powerful networks leading into the 2020 election. Each of the panelists do vital organizing work in Nevada, either through their union or through groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW) or League of Women Voters, which has helped lead Nevada to becoming the first state to achieve a female majority state legislature. Panelist Gloria Caoile, Founding Member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), spoke on how ‘there is something we all can contribute that will make life better for all of us and our children’ and ultimately each of us individually putting in what we can is really what creates collective power.

Cheryl Teare (far left), AFT Special Assistant to the President, moderates 'Teacher Power Rising' panel. Panelists include (L-R): Arlene Inouye, Secretary and Bargaining Chair of UTLA and Speech Therapist; Pamela Huff, AFT Arizona Member; Brittany Dolly and Amber Brown, Members of AFT-Kanawha Local 444 West Virginia.

In Our Hands We Hold the Power' panel. (L-R) Moderator Nakisha M. Lewis, Civil and Human Rights Director for AFL-CIO; Gloria Caoile, APALA Founding Member; Sandra Cosgrove, President of the League of Women Voters, Nevada; Jeri Burton President Nevada National Organization for Women.
 

Dee Gorczyca receives Mother Jones Award from Karen Bellamy Lewis (IFPTE) National VP and Pres. Elise Bryant

At CLUW’s 20th Biennial Convention Dolores (Dee) Gorczyca received the Mother Jones Award in recognition of her lifelong contribution to bettering the lives of all workers.  She served for twenty six years as International Representative and former National Secretary/Treasurer of IFPTE and is now retired. In 2016 she was nominated by the Governor of NJ and confirmed by the State Senate to the NJ Civil Service Commission, a position she still holds.   Dee also served for eighteen years on CLUW’s National Officers Council as a national vice president and then as executive vice president. She is currently the state vice president from New Jersey.  She is a lifetime member of CLUW.

Five CLUW state presidents were recognized with the Clara Day Award: Angela Ferritto (AFSCME), PENNSYLVANIA State President; Mary Groves (CWA), TEXAS State President; Robin Robertson (APWU), MISSOURI State President; Davida Russell (AFSCME), OHIO State President and Stephanie Thornton (UAW), MICHIGAN State President.    

Clara Day, the award namesake, was an African-American member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and one of the founding members of CLUW, serving as Midwest Vice President in 1974 and elected as National Executive Vice President in 1988 through 2001. She was a member of Local IBT 743 in Chicago, organizing workers in Montgomery Ward in 1953 and fighting against racial and gender discrimination on the national and local level throughout her life. CLUW established an award recognizing State President(s) that best emulate her life and presenting to those honored at biennial conventions.

Denise McLain (AFSCME) received the Gloria Johnson Scholarship that promotes a mentoring relationship with a young woman.

l-r Clara Day Award Recipients and Officers: Nat’l Treas. Judy Beard, Mary Groves, Angela Ferritto, Veronica Johnson and Barb Young, Presidents of MI Capitol Area and Genesee County Chapters accepting on behalf of Stephanie Thornton, Robbie Robertson, Sheila Dawkins-Finn, Trustee of the NE OH Chapter accepting for Davida Russell and Nat’l Pres. Elise Bryant   

Denise McLain receives the Gloria Johnson Scholarship