ICYMI: CWU Briefing, CPSA Survey, ModCom Listening Session
THIS SUNDAY: CWU Briefing
CWU will be having a briefing this Sunday June 26th at 4:00 PM ET! Register here. CWU organizers will provide updates and be available to answer any questions you have about CWU and next steps. Participants will have the opportunity to ask/submit questions anonymously and your identity will be protected. As always, your participation will be kept highly confidential and never shared with third parties.
CPSA MRA SURVEY:The Congressional Progressive Staff Association is launching a survey on the recent 21% increase to the House Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) and how offices/committees are allocating those new funds, which Democratic Leadership encouraged go toward raising staff salaries (many of which are so low staffers are taking out loans to get by). Please take 5 minutes to fill out THIS SURVEY.
TOMORROW: ModCom Listening Session
The Select Committee on Modernization is holding a listening session for all House staff in the Rayburn Gold Room (2168) from 3 - 4pm. Register for the listening session here. ModCom is charged with making Congress more effective, efficient, and transparent. This focus includes staff and intern recruitment, diversity, retention, and compensation and benefits.
If you are unable to attend, you can always send ideas through any of these methods:
· Call ModCom at 202-225-1530
· Submit a form on their website
· Email them at ModernizeCongress@mail.house.gov
· Message them on Facebook or Twitter (@ModernizeCmte)
· Drop a note in the suggestion box in front of 164 Cannon
SIGN ON: Senate Staff Salary Letter
“What about the Senate?” Senate staff are invited to sign onto a letter organized by a group of current Senate staffers. Read the full letter here and sign here. If you know a Senate staffer interested in talking to a CWU organizer, please have them fill out the CWU Interest Form here.
PEEP THIS:
Did you know you can look at how your office spends its budget each quarter? This is called the Statement of Disbursements (SOD). Last week the SOD for January 1 - March 31, 2022 was published HERE. You can even go back to 2009 for archived SODs to see how offices spent their budget.
Things to look for:
Salary (personnel costs)
Mailing expenses
Equipment expenses (printers, computers)
SOLIDARITY ON THE HILL: Last month, Senate Cafeteria Workers visited Senators at their offices and stopped them in the halls to ask for their support of their petition to the Architect of the Capitol for a fair contract with Restaurant Associates. CWU stands with all workers in the halls of Congress demanding a better workplace. #WorkersCantWait
MUST READ:
Got Questions? > We've got you covered!
Take a look at our newly updated explainers! What does the resolution actually DO? Let me tell you. What the heck is the Congressional Accountability Act aka the CAA? Pause, please read this. WHY ORGANIZE? WHY NOT. Drop these links to a coworker.
WHAT'S UP NEXT FOR ORGANIZING:
House congressional workers labor rights become effective July 18. In the meantime, we are working on building worker power so we can hit the ground running. Are you ready to organize your office? Make sure you download the Signal messaging app so an organizer from CWU can get in touch regarding next steps.
Did we miss something? Let us know -> CongressionalWorkersUnion@gmail.com
In Solidarity,
CWU Organizing Committee