Striking members of TNG-CWA Local 38061 celebrate victory in their three-year strike against the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Photo credit: Jason Cohn, Union Progress)

On Monday, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PG) to both restore the contract with NewsGuild-CWA Local 38061 members that the PG illegally tore up and to pay workers back for the costs of those worker rights violations—including PTO, salary, and health care, among other benefits. Guild members at the Post-Gazette have been on strike for three years, running the longest ongoing strike in the country, with the support of CWA members.

The court ruled that the Post-Gazette bargained in bad faith and ordered management to restore the previous contract as well as compensate employees and the local union.

“When we walked out on strike in October 2022, it wasn’t just for us and our rights as workers; we were fighting for fair treatment for the future journalists in Pittsburgh and beyond,” said Andrew Goldstein, striking education reporter and Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president. “Today’s victory vindicates our fight and shows that NewsGuild workers will never back down no matter how long it takes.”

In the coming days, striking members will vote on when to return to work.

Despite losing in a unanimous decision, the Post-Gazette continued to bully and bluster in a statement threatening to take the case to the Supreme Court or shut down the paper, which would still not relieve ownership of the penalties that continue to accrue daily without PG compliance. Unlike previous court victories, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has enforcement power, and the paper’s millionaire owners have run out of legitimate avenues for appeal.

Throughout the three-year strike, neighbors, union members, retirees, and supporters of the workers near and far have provided invaluable support by rallying with strikers, standing on picket lines, and directly confronting Post-Gazette managers and owners for a fair settlement. Many have provided financial support—donating more than $1 million—and boycotted the struck paper.

To help strikers finish the fight, donate to the strike fund. Donations go directly to striking workers’ families to cover essentials like rent, groceries, and emergency expenses.

Earlier this week, after 17 months of bargaining and three weeks of mediation, UPTE-CWA Local 9119 members announced they had reached a tentative agreement with the administration of the University of California (UC). A joint statement reads, “The finalized agreement reflects the University’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University. This outcome was the result of constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to finding common ground while maintaining financial responsibility in uncertain times.”

“Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for 21,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals across UC,” said UPTE-CWA Local 9119 President and Chief Negotiator Dan Russell, “and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people across the world who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research.” The agreement includes major wins in fair pay, work-life balance, job security, and career advancement. Ratification voting is set to begin this week.

Click here to learn more about the tentative agreement.

Throughout bargaining, UPTE-CWA members, retirees, and allies, including members of AFSCME Local 3299, mobilized numerous times with multiple strike actions. Solidarity and tenacity led to this victory, proving, yet again, that when we fight, we win.

Congratulations to UPTE-CWA members, retirees, allies, and supporters.

UPTE-CWA Local 9119 members announced a tentative agreement with the University of California, ending 17 months of bargaining.

Left: The CLUW Unity Slate of candidates celebrated numerous electoral wins at the Coalition of Labor Union Women’s (CLUW) 23rd Biennial Convention.
Right: CWA Chief of Staff Sylvia J. Ramos; CWA President Claude Cummings Jr.; and CWA’s Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Vice President Margaret Cook joined in the celebration of women in the labor movement.

Earlier this week, CWA Chief of Staff Sylvia J. Ramos and Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Vice President Margaret Cook won their races for Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) National President and National Vice President-CWA, respectively. Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild (TNG-CWA Local 32035) member Marylin Wiley has also been elected to serve as the CLUW National Treasurer. Each will serve four years in office. CLUW’s mission is to address issues facing women in the labor movement and create the infrastructure to remedy those issues.

Said Ramos, “I ran for CLUW National President because I believe that change doesn’t happen by chance. It comes through hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to take an unwavering stance when necessary. The advancement of women’s rights and equality deserves nothing less than our total commitment.”

Congratulations to CLUW National President Sylvia J. Ramos, CLUW National Treasurer Marilyn Wiley, and CLUW National Vice President-CWA Margaret Cook.

Last month, members of IUE-CWA Local 88502 greeted attendees at the annual Powdered Metal Management Summit in Chattanooga, Tenn., with critical information about their company, Metal Powder Products (MPP), a manufacturer of engineered metal components. The union represents members at an MPP facility in Campbellsburg, Ind., as well as members at two St. Marys, Pa., sites. In Indiana, bargaining a first contract has dragged on for more than a year, largely due to the company’s stalling and refusal to make meaningful progress at the table.

The union’s complaints revolve around the impact that private equity firm Mill Point Capital has had on MPP’s operations. Members complain that equipment repairs are delayed, heat and dust hazards go unaddressed, wages remain stagnant, and long-standing benefits have been cut. As a result, MPP now struggles to retain skilled workers that are needed to maintain the reliability its customers depend on.

“This is the private equity model: extract as much as possible, as quickly as possible, and then leave workers, communities, customers, and future buyers to deal with the fallout. MPP workers refuse to let that happen,” said IUE-CWA organizer Kindre Batliner.

Said IUE-CWA Local 88502 Vice President Jesse Merat, “If Mill Point Capital wants a success story with their MPP investment, they better start treating people right and putting money back into the business—to make sure it thrives. We want to be able to tell a turnaround story, not a run-into-the-ground one.”

The National Labor Relations Board is currently investigating multiple unfair labor practice charges against MPP for surveillance, coercive interrogation, withholding raises, and unilateral changes to working conditions—all potential violations of federal labor law.

In Campbellsburg, members remain united and committed to securing a fair first contract that recognizes their hard work and ensures stability for their families and communities.

In November, the nation celebrates Native American Heritage Month in acknowledgement of the many contributions and continuing legacy of America’s indigenous population. This month, the AFL-CIO has highlighted CWA Local 7019 Steward Terris “T” Tree.

Tree, a lifelong resident of the Navajo Nation in Arizona’s Four Corners, is a devoted father, technology expert, and tireless advocate for worker justice. With more than 24 years at Frontier’s Navajo Communications Company, he became a driving force for change, helping secure the first contract for Navajo Nation workers. Active in his Local’s legislative committee and in public advocacy, Tree champions equality, human rights, and community solidarity.

Tree and other CWA Members at Navajo Communications have been bargaining a new contract at Frontier since March, 2025. Pay equity is a major issue. Navajo Nation technicians earn significantly less than Frontier workers in other parts of Arizona.

Click here to read more profiles of Native American union leaders.

CWA Local 7019 Steward Terris Tree was highlighted by the AFL-CIO in celebration of Native American Heritage Month for his commitment to our shared union ideals and his role in securing the first union contract for Navajo Nation workers.

Pictured, left to right: CWA District 4 Staff Representatives Diane Bailey and Dustin Robinett, CWA District 4 Campaign Lead Renee Rouser, CWA District 4 Senior Campaign Lead Wayne Trakas-Lawlor, and CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton helped with the drive.

The CWA District 4 Human Rights Committee hosted a Suitcase Drive for the Foster Care: Pack a Suitcase, Fill a Heart program. Members donated suitcases, clothing, and toys. Also, during the CWA District 4 Education Conference, members donated over $2,000 for the purchase of new items. These donations went to children in need across eight foster agencies in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois.

Thanks to the energy and commitment of CWAers like you, we won many important victories this past Election Day. But the work is not over.

CWA-endorsed Aftyn Behn, running for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, is a proven champion for working families. She has stood shoulder to shoulder with CWA members walking the picket line. She is committed to stopping the rise in healthcare costs, restoring funding for rural healthcare, and creating more good union jobs building out reliable high-speed Internet.

Please join us for a virtual phone bank coming up on Thursday, November 20th, at 7 P.M. EST | 6 P.M. CST | 5 P.M. MST to help us get out the vote. The phone bank will take place on Zoom. RSVP to receive your link to join. We’ll provide a brief training at the start of the call, along with background on the campaign and tips for connecting with voters.

The fight continues and, when we fight, we win!

The CWA Joe Beirne Foundation will award 16 college scholarships of $4,000 each for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic years. CWA members, their spouses, children, and grandchildren are eligible for the scholarships, including the dependents of retired, laid-off, or deceased members.

Applications are only available online at the Foundation's website. The final deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is 11:59 p.m., EDT, April 30, 2026.

The Beirne Scholarship Program is made possible by funding from CWA locals. Read more about the program here.

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