CLUW convention focuses on abortion rights

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4 SOCIALIST ACTION NOVEMBER 1991 PITTSBURGH—The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) held its Sixth Biennial Convention here on Oct. 3-7, celebrating a "Decade of Empowerment." Over 900 women attended, approximately 600 of whom were delegates representing their unions or local CLUW chapters.

The convention schedule included a rally for national healthcare, discussion of resolutions and constitutional amendments, the election of officers, a National Executive Board election by union caucuses, and workshops on the many issues facing working women.

The current threat to women's reproductive rights was noted by many speakers, including a sister in her 60s from the Communications Workers of America (CWA), who exclaimed passionately, "Let's not be polite and ladylike. This is our lives!"

The convention adopted a resolution which reaffirmed the organization's commitment to reproductive rights and called upon CLUW chapters to "work actively with other local organizations to protect doctors, clinics, and patients who have come under attack." It also called for "the enactment of federal legislation to ensure reproductive rights of women."

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Tom Donohue met a hostile response from the convention floor when he tried to defend the AFL-CIO's decisions not to involve itself with what is recognized as a life-and-death question for working women. CLUW members reaffirmed their determination that the AFL-CIO should take a pro-choice position, and CLUW will take the resolution to the AFL-CIO convention in November.

A workshop on "Defending Reproductive Rights" was chaired by CLUW staffperson Kathy Parrent. Panelists emphasized the harsh effect restrictions on abortion have for working women and especially women of color.

Communication Workers of America Vice President Brooks Sunkett noted that before the Roe v. Wade decision, 80 percent of deaths due to illegal abortions were among women of color. Dottie Jones, director of the United Autoworkers women's department, called attacks from equal participation in the work force.

Deadly nuclear waste. Thousands of tons of it are stored in casks outside the country's 113 nuclear reactors. But the power companies are quickly running out of space.

By the end of the decade, used fuel from nuclear power plants is expected to amount to 44,000 tons. And "low level" radioactive waste-garments, tools, and parts—amounts to even more. It's too much to simply sweep under the rug. But where is it to go?

Not too long ago, the federal government proposed gathering spent nuclear fuel from around the country and burying it underneath Yucca Mountain in Nevada. But this site would only accomodate 77,000 tons. Soon after the facility opens (target date is 2010), it might be filled to capacity.

In addition, state legislators strongly objected to the Yucca Mountain planciting the dangers of earthquakes, a rising water table, and dormant volcanoes in the region.

And so, U.S. officials have tried to shop around the deadly waste material to poorer areas of the country, which might welcome an infusion of federal money. Nuclear waste storage, atter all, has bromise of becoming a "growth" industry.

David Leroy, the government's nuclearwaste negotiator, recently sent a letter to 623 people, including state governors and many Native American leaders. "Nobody wants nuclear wastes, period," he was forced to admit. "But there's never been a better time to offer proposals."

At this point, however, there is no long-term solution in sight. The big power companies must try to make-do by expanding their on-site storage facilities.

In Minnesota, for example, the Northern States Power Company has applied for a permit to create a high-level radioactive waste dump outside its Prairie Island Nuclear Plant. The facility is located on the Mississippi River near the Prairie Island Indian reservation and other residential areas.

The waste will be stored in metal cannisters that are expected to last 25 years. Nuclear material, however, remains highly radioactive for at least 10,000 years.

Nearby residents, including the Prairie Island Indians (working through their tribal council), have organized opposition to the dump site. In addition, nine environmental groups in Minnesota have formed the Prairie Island Coalition Against Nuclear Storage (PI-CANS). For more information, contact them at 1313 5th St. SE, #323, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Telephone (612) 379-3853.

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on women's reproductive rights a "smoke screen" designed to keep women