Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of Communication Workers of America District 4, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the women featured in District 4’s Women in Labor coverage. Mathews also discussed the broadband expansion projects in West Virginia and how the CWA assists states in developing their expansion plans.
Pam Siefers, a retired member of CWA Local 4900 in Indianapolis, was highlighted on the CWA District 4 social media as part of their Women’s History Month Women in Labor coverage. The common thread for the women featured is that they all made history within the CWA. Siefers was quoted as saying that her time in the union allowed her to buy a house while her peers were stuck in rentals thanks to her union-negotiated wages. Because of the retirement benefits through her union contract, she was able to retire at the age of 58. Mathews went on to discuss what Siefers was able to accomplish during her time with the CWA.
The broadband expansion efforts are beginning to be approved across the country, with West Virginia being the most recent state to approve a project worth $33 million that would extend broadband access to every household in the state. Each state has been charged to create a plan to provide broadband access to every home in their state with funding coming through the American Rescue Plan. Mathews explained the details of West Virginia’s projects and the companies in charge of the expansion. He discussed the work CWA has been doing to assist in creating standards for the projects and how they are working to create good union jobs.
With a large amount of funding from the U.S. government, ensuring workforce standards is key for unions. Mathews outlined what the CWA is doing with what he calls the “Broadband Brigade.” These CWA representatives met with state officials to outline why high-road employers who utilize proper training and educational systems for their employees should be the standard for these government-funded projects. Mathews discussed the importance of the educational parts of their efforts and what it means to future-proof the work being done.
Listen to the show above to hear more from Mathews on broadband expansion.
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