For the first time in nearly five years, 150 members of the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO (TWU), descended on Washington, D.C. for the 2023 COPE and Legislative Conference, taking place this week between July 9 – 12.
During the first day of the conference, TWU members from across the country and across multiple modes of transportation spent the day networking, honing their lobbying skills, and hearing from inspirational guest speakers, including COPE Director Andrew Rangolan and TWU International President John Samuelsen.
“We’re not here as an instrument of the Democratic or Republican parties. We’re here to advance the interest of our members and the economic security of our families, and I cannot stress enough the impact you have when you partake in the political process,” Samuelsen told TWU members. “A strong political program, combined with the audacity to fight and the ability to organize members moves this whole organization forward and ensures that when we fight, we win.”
A central focus of the first half of the conference was preparing members for lobbying and relationship building — skills that will set them up for success as they collectively visit the offices of dozens of members of Congress later this week. Member training included a Lobbying 101 presentation by TWU Government Affairs Director Zack Tatz and engaging break-out sessions that allowed for hands-on learning.
For Karl Mager, co-chair of the Florida State Conference and a Local 555 member, the 2023 COPE and Legislative Conference is the perfect opportunity to take his lobbying skills to the next level. Mager worked on political campaigns years ago and has experience lobbying at the state level, but has never before lobbied at the federal level.
“I’m looking forward to having conversations with lawmakers here in Washington, D.C. who have real power to advance TWU’s agenda items,” Mager said. “The training and preparation this conference has provided has been incredibly informative. I’m ready to go out and make change.”
When TWU members visit Congressional offices, they will ask lawmakers to support FAA Reauthorization, the bipartisan Rail Safety Act, and operating funds for public transit agencies.
To see photos from the 2023 TWU COPE and Legislative Conference, visit TWU’s Flickr page and check out these posts on Twitter and Facebook.