The CWA Model of Membership-based Organizing

Abstract

This article examines an organizing program utilizing existing union members in the community as the primary method of organizing. District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) is used as a case to uncover and demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of this approach to organizing the unorganized. The history of CWA and District 4 organizing efforts is presented, followed by a detailed explanation of the current CWA District 4 organizing network. Results over a seven- year period are elucidated; they show consistent growth in both organiz ing efforts and successes, although results are only modestly successful. Advantages of this method of organizing over conventional efforts are examined in the areas of leadership development, positive spillover into local union life, stronger community ties, stronger "first contract struggles," efficient use of resources, growth in long-term organizing capacity, abil ity to think and act long term, and geographical dispersion. The article ends with an analysis of the limitations of this model of union organizing, cautioning that it is not a "magic bullet" that will solve the many prob lems facing organizing efforts in the U.S. today.

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