Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In support of striking workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a coalition of union members from West Virginia, including CWA Local 2001 and 2006 members, members of the United Mine Workers of America, United Steel Workers, and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, as well as representatives from the West Virginia AFL-CIO, the Marion County Central Labor Council, the Alliance for Retired Americans and CWA District 2-13 staff, led a union solidarity caravan that traveled to the Findlay, Pa., facilities of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday. They were met by CWA District 2-13 President Ed Mooney and striking Post-Gazette workers, who were grateful for the show of support and monetary contribution the group made to the Strike Fund. The group also donated water, snacks, rain ponchos, and other supplies. They expressed their solidarity and messages of support and encouragement for the strikers who continue to fight for a fair contract at the Post-Gazette.

"It was such a powerful scene filled with solidarity and care for each other. We hugged and conversed. There were even tears. Standing with these brave groups of workers who are fighting for their dignity and the future of local news was one of my proudest moments in the labor movement. What the workers have had to endure is unacceptable and we will keep supporting them in any way we can until they get what they deserve. Their fight is our fight," said West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword, who was one of the coordinators of the caravan.

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Northstar Aerospace

IUE-CWA Local 14430 members who work for Northstar Aerospace in Bedford Park, Ill., are currently three weeks into bargaining over a new collective bargaining agreement and actively mobilizing to build strength at the bargaining table and secure a fair deal. The workers are an essential part of the defense industry, providing critical components for Apache and Chinook helicopters that are being flown by our brave service members and allies abroad. The tasks they perform require stellar skills and a strong work ethic. Throughout the pandemic, they risked their safety and health to continue to keep our service members flying. They are fighting for a fair and equitable contract that recognizes their hard work and sacrifice.

This May Day, a group of General Electric workers from across the country joined members of IUE-CWA Local 81201 at General Electric (GE) in Lynn, Mass., to celebrate the ratification of a new groundbreaking 2-year contract, and to continue organizing together to defend their jobs, pushing for new investments in their plants, and preparing to fight for further improvements.

During the event, IUE-CWA welcomed a delegation of GE workers from Italian plants that directly supply GE's U.S. operations. The workers, represented by trade union FIOM-CGIL, the Italian Federation of Metalworkers, committed to working with IUE-CWA to tackle joint issues faced by workers within the multinational corporation. Together, both parties participated in a rally in front of GE's Aerospace facility and joined a larger community-wide May Day march.

"Credit goes to our mobilized union members for their tireless efforts in achieving a fair contract and their continued pursuit for worker justice,” said Carl Kennebrew, President of IUE-CWA. “I am optimistic about what more we can accomplish as we build bridges with unions abroad for fair wages and better working conditions, reflecting the importance of global solidarity in today’s economy."

State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry

On Wednesday, a majority of graduate student Research Assistants at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) voted to join CWA. They have been mobilizing to build support for their union since they announced the formation of the ESF Research Assistants Union-CWA in March and to put pressure on the university administration to address their demands for better working conditions and a union.

Despite the essential role they play, these workers have been saddled with severe economic hardships resulting from low pay and burdensome student fees, as well as poor working conditions, including lack of affordable and adequate healthcare coverage, workplace harassment, and being overworked without additional compensation. Following their victory, the workers are determined to continue to fight until they reach a first contract that reflects the value they bring to the institution.

The United Soccer League Players Association (USLPA), CWA Local 7211, launched a new mental health program for its members on Monday, the first day of mental health awareness month. The program, which is being offered in conjunction with Onrise, a telehealth company, provides a full range of services including player care, teletherapy, and medication management. Care and treatment will be available and accessible to all USLPA members at any time.

Oftentimes, athletes can be seen as entertainers rather than as humans. There is an enormous amount of pressure for elite sports players to perform no matter the cost. Among professional athletes, data shows that approximately 35% of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis which may manifest as stress, eating disorders, burnout, or depression and anxiety, but those same athletes are less likely to seek help than the general population.

“It is part of the USLPA’s mission to consistently advance the interests of players,” said USLPA Executive Director Connor Tobin in a press release. “And there is perhaps no better way to accomplish that than to step in and fill this void and make sure that our members are supported as people."

Members across CWA have been participating in trainings to develop new skills to strengthen and grow our union.

In California, new CWA stewards from Local 9410 in San Francisco and Local 9505 in Monrovia attended steward training classes to gain the skills they need to be strong and effective advocates while building collective power in their workplaces.

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In New Jersey, new CWA stewards from Local 1037 completed their shop steward training and are ready to step into their responsibility to protect their fellow members.

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Last Thursday, a large group of CWA Local 1040 members in New Jersey participated in a Runaway Inequality workshop to learn about the increasing wealth gap and systemic inequality, how the economy is rigged against workers, and how we can put a stop to it.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month. During this month, we honor the contributions and sacrifices of AANHPI workers to the labor movement and recognize the ongoing fight for justice and equality. As part of our celebration, CWA’s Human Rights program is hosting Building Community Power: Now and Then, an online presentation and panel on Tuesday, May 23, at 7pm ET. Please join us for a conversation on what building community power for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander workers has looked like in the past and the present day. AANHPI workers, as well as all union siblings and allies, are encouraged to attend. Click here to register.

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