John,

The holiday season is a time of reflection and thoughts of what lies ahead in the new year. It is also a time for family, sharing, and acts of kindness. We share our stories and our food, and we draw strength from one another as we have thoughts and discussions about what the future will bring.

In July, you made history by electing me the first Black President of our great union. Since then I’ve continued to listen, learn, and take action, as I have since I was first elected as president of my local in Houston. I appreciate the many messages of support and encouragement I have received, as well as the suggestions for issues that need my attention. Rest assured that I will never forget that I’m working for you, not you for me. I thank you for the opportunity you have given me to lead our great Union.

I have stood on the picket lines with striking workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and with Flight Attendants who are fed up with management’s greed. I have stood shoulder to shoulder with federal call center workers from Maximus who are organizing for a livable wage as I, along with other CWA leaders, were arrested to show our commitment, not just to change, but to the workers who most need that change.

I’ve increased our visibility in Washington, inviting top Congressional leaders to CWA’s headquarters, joining Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to provide insights on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on workers, and participating in a White House roundtable to uplift the work CWA members and locals are doing to train the workers of tomorrow.

Throughout it all, it’s been you, the members, leaders, and activists, who’ve made my job possible. It’s you who’ve battled in every state and across every worksite representing our members, organizing new members, and participating in electoral and social justice work to make us a stronger CWA.

And we’re just getting started. Next year will be one of unprecedented opportunities. We must use every resource at our disposal to bargain stronger contracts, organize more workers to join CWA, and elect pro-worker candidates to office. I want to take what we know in our hearts as union members – that when we work together, we are more powerful than those against us, and we will be even stronger in the future as we continue to build our relationships with our allies. As my work on your behalf takes me across the country, I plan to visit even more worksites so that I can understand the challenges you are facing and discuss what we can do to address them.

We are the labor movement, we are CWA. We’ve never run from a fight because, say it with me now, “When We Fight, We Win.”

I want to personally thank our Executive Board, Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam, and all employees of CWA for the work you do daily for our Union. The leadership of CWA is relentless in taking on initiatives that are important not only to CWA members, but to all workers and retirees.

So this holiday season, like many generations before us, we will take this time to enjoy the social activities and recharge. Some of you have seen your lives changed in unforeseen ways, including the loss of family members, as I did this year. Try your best to reflect on the fun times with those no longer physically here, not their absence.

This time of year, it’s especially important we bring our families and friends close, share our love and laughter. Share what you can with those you know in need, like our Pittsburgh Gazette members who have been on strike for over a year. They will appreciate it and be encouraged because they will know their CWA family is supporting their fight for a fair contract!

I’m wishing you a safe, happy, and rejuvenating Holiday Season and a joyous New Year.

Rest assured, our greatest tests and our greatest victories await us when we return.

In Unity,

Claude Cummings Jr.
President