CWA_LOCAL

P.O. BOX 3862
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA 24115
Phone: 276-638-2277
Fax: 276-638-3200

Updated 2-25-2008

Governor's Press Release

GOVERNOR KAINE SIGNS BILL TO REPEAL ABUSIVE DRIVER FEES

~ Measure will return fees paid and waive any outstanding fees ~

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today signed Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1243, to immediately repeal the abusive driver fees and provide refunds for citizens against whom the fees have been assessed. The fees, which were part of House Bill 3202 passed during the 2007 General Assembly session, were intended to raise revenue for highway maintenance and improve the safety of Virginia highways.

“After six months of implementation, it was clear that the fees did not improve the safety of Virginia highways,” Governor Kaine said. “The citizens of Virginia expressed concerns regarding these fees, and based on these concerns, I have signed the bills that repeal the fees. I thank Sen. Edd Houck and Del. Tim Hugo for sponsoring the repeal bills.”

“In the earnestness of trying to solve the transportation issue, a mistake was made,” said Senator Edd Houck, who led the effort to repeal the fees with Senate Bill 1. “This was simply the wrong way to go about funding transportation. And today is the day we correct all that.”

Citizens who have paid any portion of an abusive driver fee will receive a refund from the Department of Accounts. No further action is required to receive the refund. All outstanding fees will be waived and considered satisfied. Individuals should not pay any bills they receive from the courts for an abusive driver fee. However, individuals still must pay any court fines that were assessed. For additional information regarding the return of abusive driver fees call the Department of Accounts at 804-225-2376.

Individuals whose privilege to drive was suspended solely for failure to pay an abusive driver fee will be notified by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that they are eligible to receive a license. These individuals may receive a new license free of charge at a DMV customer service center. For additional information regarding license re-instatement, call DMV Direct at 866-368-5463.

Additional information may be found at www.hb3202.virginia.gov.

Virginia Politics Heat Up

As you are aware, we in the Commonwealth can look forward to an election every year. In 2008, we have the Presidential election along with a U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican John Warner, and a contested campaign for the 5^th Congressional District seat currently held by Virgil Goode Jr.

Starting with the 5^th Congressional District, Goode is being challenged by Democratic hopeful Tom Perrielo of Ivy, VA. Tom took the time to sit down with 2277’s President Russell Wells, Treasurer Steve Bryant and myself on Feb. 6, 2008. He started off the meeting by asking each of us about issues affecting the Southside and Martinsville/Henry County. Issues such as job growth, the need for more industry and better paying jobs, rising health care costs, education and training for specialized jobs and immigration reform were covered.

His background is impressive. Tom was an Eagle Scout, after receiving his law degree for Yale University; he began working in the war torn West African countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia. In Sierra Leone, he worked with child soldiers, amputees and local pro-democracy groups that played a significant role in ending 12 years of violence. Tom was a Special Advisor to the International Prosecutor during the showdown that forced Dictator Charles Taylor from power, with out a single shot being fired. For more on his stand on the issues, go to www.perrielloforcongress.com.

Former Governor Mark Warner is facing off against former Republican governor Jim Gilmore for the U.S. Senate seat of John Warner. As many of you already know, Mark during his term as Governor, cleaned up the financial mess left from the administrations of Gilmore and George Allen. Visit www.markwarner2008.com.

The year 2009 promises to be an exciting year as well with two very highly thought of candidates from the Democratic Party campaigning for Governor- State Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Brian Moran. Both candidates have an excellent record of supporting working families and union members in the Commonwealth. To view their vision of Virginia’s future visit their websites online at www.deedsforvirginia.com for Creigh Deeds and for Del. Moran at www.brianmoran.com.

Updated 8-26-2007

Aug. 25th Rally for Embarq Retiree's

Retiree’s from Martinsville, Rocky Mt., Roanoke and Madison, NC held an informational picket in front of the Embarq Central Office on Saturday August 25. The rally was held in response to Embarq’s announcement that as of January 1, 2008, retiree life insurance would be cut by one-forth and health-care insurance would cease once the retiree reaches Medicare eligibility.

The rally was part of a nation wide effort with the I.B.E.W. and CWA to raise public awareness of the plight of Embarq retirees.

Mike Vivirito, president of the CWA Retired Members Council, who drove from Baltimore, MD to attend the rally said,” This action not only affects today’s retirees, but those who will retire in the future”.

Virginia State Senator Wm. Roscoe Reynolds spoke with Vivirito, Local 2277 president Russell Wells and Jim White, the Locals Legislative Committee Chairman following the rally. He explained that while on the state level he was blocked from doing anything, he had been in touch with Sen. John Warner’s office, Sen. Jim Webb and our representatives in the U.S. House. “I am blocked by the URISA legislation from any action on the state level, but in addition, I have been in touch with Embarq on this issue”. Reynolds said Embarq’s response was the cuts “need to be made to cut costs.”

Embarq CEO Dan Hesse, whose salary last year was a healthy $5.9 million has no worries about his retirement. Even if he is terminated before retirement, Hesse stands to rake in a payout of $17.2 million.

Other events may be planned through the national CWA and I.B.E.W. offices. They will be posted on the website as they become available.

Local 2277 president Russell Wells, Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, Martinsville Area Rep. Jim White and president of the CWA Retired Members Council Mike Vivirito

Retirees in front of the C.O.

Updated 8-22-2007

The following Resolutions were passed by the member delegates at the conference on Aug. 17-18, 2007 in McLean, VA.

1) A Diverse Movement Calls for Diverse Leadership

In brief, the resolution calls for equality among union leadership where it concerns women and people of color. In the hiring, organizing, representation, outreach and leadership, the union movement must embody the goal of equal welcome and equal opportunity for all. Therefore the AFL-CIO urges all affiliated unions and councils to develop targeted levels of leadership diversity.

2) Payday Lending

The Virginia AFL-CIO joins with other groups in coalition to lobby the General Assembly in 2008 for regulation of the payday loan industry to require a cap of 19% on all payday loans.

3) Building a 21^st Century Virginia Labor Movement by Creating New Area Labor Federations

To better focus on critically important issues, it is resolved that the individual CLC’s in conjunction with the National AFL-CIO develop a plan to create 4 Area Labor Federations, establish constitutions to be adopted by their affiliates and a report on this progress and any constitutional changes that may be needed to the 2008 VA. AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention.

4) Supporting Unionized Companies and Urging City and State Governments to Switch Cellular Service to Union Providers

With the ongoing trouble with other wireless companies, namely Verizon Wireless, which has constantly opposed collective bargaining for their employees, this resolution encourages locals to pressure local governments to switch wireless service to AT&T Mobility. AT&T Mobility is the only current unionized wireless provider. Union members are also encouraged to switch to AT7T Mobility and to utilize the 10% discount offered to Union members.

5) Stem Cell Research

This Resolution resolves the Virginia AFL-CIO supports embryonic stem cell research, and commits to efforts to establish federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. This resolution supports only the use of embryonic stem cells from frozen embryo’s that will otherwise be destroyed.

It must be noted, that one member rose in opposition to the resolution on moral and religious grounds, but passed with only his dissenting vote.

6) Francis C. Lowe, April 20, 1920 – June 10, 2007

In Memoriam, of Frances Lowe. She was an 18 year employee of the Virginia AFL-CIO and a long time union activist. She was employed by the Federal Government for 19 ½ years, and AFL-CIO Field Staff Rep. and Woman of the Year in 1992.

The delegates were addressed by an array of State and Federal officials prior to the voting on Resolutions, led by Governor Tim Kaine, Senator Jim Webb and Delegate Ward Armstrong.

Among the items brought forward by Sen. Webb, the passing of the federal Minimum Wage Act, and the fight over the Employee Free Choice Act in the U.S. House and Senate.

Gov. Kaine lauded the passing of the increase in unemployment bill and the quota on menhaden. Kaine also pointed out how the republican held House blocked his appointment of former AFL-CIO president Danny LeBlanc to his cabinet based on the fact he was pro-union. He also pointed out, how the Va. Minimum Wage Increase bill was blocked in the House.

The Virginia AFL-CIO also donated a total of $25,000 each to the Virginia House and Senate Democratic caucus.

The voting on candidate endorsements, passed after discussion, with the membership concurring with the Executive Board’s recommendations.

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