Published 31 Jul, 2015
The July meeting of the TWU Working Women’s Committee (WWC) marked another successful commitment of TWU sisters across divisions to share ideas, strategies, stories and power. While each local WWC has taken on a number of important projects ranging from legislative and political action to organizing and training, the International’s WWC comes together several times a year to report out on local progress and move forward on the year’s key platforms and agenda items, many of which complement some of TWU International’s overall goals and priorities.
This meeting was graciously hosted at TWU Local 100, and co-hosted by Local 101 and Local 252. TWU International Executive Vice President and Local 100 President John Samuelsen opened the meeting, and International Vice President, Administrative Assistant to the International President and Director of the Transit, Universities, Utilities and Services Division Jerome Lafragola addressed the group and wished them a successful meeting. Local 100 Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Suray offered a message from TWU International Administrative Vice President and Director of Civil and Human Rights John Bland. Additionally, several local officers from across TWU divisions, as well as State Conference and division staff members stopped by to express support for the WWC and its mission. WWC Chair Gwen York facilitated along with co-chairs Nicole Hecker (Local 100), Rhea Plummer (Local 101), Amy Griffin (Local 1460) and Shae Christakis (Local 513). Highlights from the meeting included several presentations and small group discussions on improving communications skills, mastering effective time management, planning for a stable retirement, and succeeding as a woman in the workplace. New York State Assemblywoman Michele Titus engaged in a lively discussion on pay equity and the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with organized labor. Finally, the group enjoyed a screening of the documentary “Miss Representation,” and a tour of the Michael J. Quill bus depot in downtown Manhattan. Each of the sessions reflected TWU’s strong commitment to building political power and offering working women member’s opportunities to develop skills and broaden their impact within their union, their workplace, and their community.
Attendees left the meeting eager to carry on the work of the WWC and to implement the goals of each of their committees: communications, programming and teambuilding, women’s wellness and history. “This committee has really taken off,” Sister York said. “The women of the TWU are engaged and excited and truly coming together. They are learning from one another and standing up for one another; President Lombardo made a committment to this group at the beginning and I’m proud to see that investment paying off. We’re going to see some qualified, engaged leaders coming out of this group, and that’s a testament to what TWU has built.”