Last week, CWA District 3 members and retirees gathered in New Orleans, La., for their annual meeting, with the theme “Unity is Our Strength.” The conference included industry- and bargaining unit-focused breakout sessions, committee meetings, and workshops on topics including “Empowering Legislative Victories” and “Office of Labor Management Standards.”

CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt welcomed members to the conference with special recognition for those AT&T members who went on strike last year. “I want to acknowledge everyone who was part of bargaining a contract since our last meeting,” said Honeycutt, “and I would also like to acknowledge everyone here who participated in the ULP strike against AT&T. Through your hard work and unbreakable resolve, we were able to have a successful strike, which allowed us to finally reach a fair contract."

On the second day of the conference, an air conditioning unit caught fire in the hotel, prompting a middle-of-the-night evacuation and a complete change of venue. Attendees were grateful for the fantastic job CWA District 3 Secretaries Greta Rowe and Bridgette Collins did coordinating the efforts to move locations. The conference continued without further incident.

CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. delivered remarks, congratulating members for their resilience and solidarity during last year’s AT&T Southeast strike, during which 17,000 members walked off the job for a month demanding the company bargain in good faith. “It is no secret that many people who are not from the South write off the South when it comes to unions,” said Cummings. “Years of anti-union rhetoric from businesses and elected officials has some people even believing that there are almost no union members here. I’m glad to report that CWA District 3 is disproving every doubter. You are a powerhouse of labor organizing, mobilization, and pro-worker legislative action.”

CWA Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam updated members via teleconference on the union’s finances as well as the need for fiscal responsibility. “Our mission remains the same,” said Salaam, “but our priorities must stay ready to meet each moment. The moment right-to-work becomes the law of the land, the moment payroll deduction ceases, the moment they attempt to make unions illegal altogether—this is the moment we gather not just as individuals but as a collective force, united by a shared vision of a world where justice, equality, and opportunity are not mere ideals but lived realities for every person, regardless of their background.”

Members also heard from CWA District 6 Vice President Derrick Osobase; Telecommunications and Technologies Vice President Lisa Bolton; Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Vice President Margaret Cook; NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss; and CWA Retired Members Council President Gwen Parker.

CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. fielded questions from members at the CWA District 3 Annual Meeting held in New Orleans, La.

On Tuesday, CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister hosted a virtual townhall meeting so CWA-represented Lumen workers and retirees could learn more about the proposed sale of Lumen’s residential fiber network to AT&T. In her opening remarks, McAllister provided an overview of what is known about the backroom deal and the importance of mobilization to make sure the deal works for Lumen’s workers and customers.

Speakers also included CWA President Claude Cummings Jr., CWA District 7 Assistant to the Vice President and Bargaining Agent for the Legacy Qwest Contract Lisa Avila, CWA District 7 Administrative Director and Co-Chair for Lumen Bargaining Paul Castaneda, and CWA-represented Lumen workers including Jake Williams, 22-year veteran Qwest worker Val Packer, President of Local 7026 Luis Gutierrez, and CWA Local 7704 Area Vice President for Utah Jeremy Dill.

President Cummings put the deal in context: “More and more of our employers want to operate with as few employees as possible! Just like AT&T, they want to go into partnership with private equity firms, take as much money out of the company as possible, and hand it to shareholders instead of paying workers and investing in their product. Whether it is through contracting out or handing things over to AI, we are seeing it everywhere, in every industry.

“What is absolutely clear is that our collective bargaining agreements must be respected! That’s the bottom line here. We will use all the tools we have to make sure Lumen workers and retirees are protected.”

The presenters took questions from members, including questions regarding work-from-home protections and how the workforce will be split between worksites. These issues will likely be addressed and answered during bargaining, which is expected to take place early next year. The Lumen contract expires on March 28, 2026.

While Lumen management has left workers in the dark as to the future of their jobs, CWA leadership is committed to keeping members informed. Lumen members are encouraged to report back on what they are hearing at their worksites and can get updates by signing up here.

CWA members and retirees, including AFA-CWA International Vice President Keturah Johnson (center), joined thousands in support of veterans at the Unite for Veterans rally in Washington, D.C., on June 6.

Click here to see highlights from the rally.

Chanting “No contract! No peace!” CWA-represented Frontier workers, retirees, and supporters in Hartford, Conn., rallied last week to demand the company halt the outsourcing of union work to contractors.

CWA Local 1298 President Dave Weidlich stated, “Frontier has cut over 1000 jobs since they acquired us in 2014. Many of these positions have been shifted to contractors. We stood by Frontier during both the COVID pandemic and their bankruptcy in 2020, taking concessions while caring for our Connecticut customers. Now that they have emerged from bankruptcy, it’s time for them to stand by us, the employees who were responsible for our part in the company’s current success."

Members have also filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against Frontier for direct dealing—negotiating directly with individual workers on issues that should be negotiated through collective bargaining.

The current contract was set to expire in October of last year but, through several mutually agreed-upon extensions, is now set to expire on June 28, after which workers will not be barred from striking if necessary.

CWA Local 1298 members, retirees, and allies rallied (with Scabby the Rat) in Hartford, Conn., last week to demand an end to the outsourcing of jobs to contractors by Frontier.

After months of fighting, CWA members working for Avaya announced in May that they had successfully negotiated a new contract and ratified it with overwhelming approval. Since December 2023, members have been working under terms unilaterally imposed by the company. This new, 3-year contract will ensure stronger protections for workers, improved benefits, and economic gains.

A few highlights of the contract include a ratification bonus, 100% coverage by the company of annual premiums under the medical plan, stronger pension protections, and an annual incentive bonus.

“This victory is a testament to the solidarity and determination of our members,” said CWA Telecommunications and Technologies Vice President Lisa Bolton, speaking about the bargaining process. “We thank everyone who stood together during a challenging period and helped secure this fair and comprehensive agreement.”

Special thanks to Staff Representative Brian Sawyer, CWA Local 6016 Vice President Sandra Strain, and CWA Local 6215 Chief Steward Richard Chittenden, who negotiated the contract.

In San Antonio, Texas, members, retirees, and allies of CWA Local 6143 mobilized in support of pro-worker candidates for local offices, including mayor and city council. Members participated in multiple phone banks and knocked on hundreds of doors to spread the word about candidates who support workers and their families. The hotly contested races resulted in a runoff election for which voting ended on June 7.

CWA Local 6143 officially endorsed incumbents Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Teri Castillo, who were among the first to sign a public letter supporting members during contract negotiations and continued to show their support by joining an informational picket outside AT&T. They both won outright in the first round.

Runoff races included CWA-endorsed candidates Sukh Kaur for City Council District 1, Ric Galvan for City Council District 6, and Ivalis Meza Gonzalez for City Council District 8. Gonzalez and Kaur won handily against heavily funded Republican opposition. In a nail-biting finish, Galvan narrowly defeated his opponent, winning his District 6 seat by only 25 votes. Both Galvan and Gonzales received enthusiastic endorsements from the San Antonio AFL-CIO Central Labor Council.

Members also celebrated the election of Gina Ortiz Jones, San Antonio’s first Asian American, LGBTQ+ mayor. In her press release, Jones recognized the crucial support she received from CWA Local 6143 and all Labor affiliates that helped in the campaign. Jones ran on a platform calling for the expansion of access to childcare & pre-K, investment in local job training, and ensuring community benefits from city projects.

CWA activists “left it all on the field,” engaging their community via text messages, social media, polling, and in-person. In an election where winners are decided by only a handful of votes, CWA played a critical role in determining the outcomes of several races. Activists combined strategy and solidarity in a win for all San Antonians.

CWA Local 6143 members, retirees, and activists mobilized in support of pro-worker candidates in San Antonio, Texas. They helped elect a slate of labor-friendly officials in highly contested races.

After several intensive days of bargaining and with the solidarity of CWA members, TCGunion-CWA Local 1123 voted unanimously to ratify a closing agreement with eBay and TCGplayer after the company abruptly announced plans to shut down its Syracuse-based authentication center, eliminating the jobs of hundreds of union workers who were bargaining their first contract.

The package includes:

• 20 weeks severance pay with an additional $2.50/hr above current wages for everyone within the bargaining unit, more than double what was originally offered
• 6 months of COBRA medical coverage paid by the company
• 7 months of continued mental health benefits
• A $1,250 ratification bonus for everyone in the bargaining unit

“eBay could only beat our union by closing down the entire Authentication Center and leaving town. We live in a time of unchecked corporate power, and we still brought them to the table again and again,” said TCGunion-CWA in a statement shared on social media. “From Syracuse to Louisville, workers everywhere deserve rights, respect, and dignity on the job. As long as we don’t stop fighting for it, we will win.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will hold a virtual Heat Hearing regarding their proposed "Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings," which begins Monday, June 16, and runs through July 2.

CWA's panel, led by CWA's National Deputy Director for Occupational Safety and Health, Micki Siegel de Hernandez, is scheduled to present on June 25th in the afternoon session (after 1pm EDT). CWA's panel will include CWA member representatives from IUE-CWA, Telecommunications, and Airline Passenger Service.

Information about the hearing and links for public viewing on YouTube can be found here.

CWA Local 9404 President (Ret.) Carol Whichard, a long-time labor and women’s rights advocate, was named Woman of the Year for California’s 3rd Senate District last week. Whichard is the founder of the Unity League in Napa County. Senator Christopher Cabaldon nominated Whichard and also presented her the award upon winning.

Congratulations to Carol Whichard!

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Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits, and exclusions may apply. For all terms visit www.petsbest.com/policy. Products, schedules, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. More information is available at checkout. Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address.

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