Dear John,

This Thanksgiving, I am choosing to focus on the good I see. While there is much work to be done, it is crucial to step back every now and then and remember what we are fighting for. I am thankful, as always, for my wife Ruth and the family we have been blessed with. I give thanks for my friends and my faith community. And I am more thankful than ever for you, my union family.

This year, we met in Pittsburgh for our 80th CWA National Convention. We heard from members who had spent years on strike against the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Their strength and resolve led to a major victory. On Monday, they marched back to work after 1,133 days on strike, while a crowd of supporter sang "Solidarity Forever." I am truly grateful to those of you who supported these strikers throughout their long fight.

At our convention we voted, as a union, to uphold our shared values of fairness, justice, and freedom. We resolved to support the rights of all working people, not just those who look, sound, or vote as we do. We resolved to fight back against authoritarianism and corporate power. And we reaffirmed our commitment to organize in telecommunications, our union’s industry of origin.

These commitments were not made lightly. They required, and were given, deep thought and debate. But, in the end, we agreed to face the future together, united. I am extremely proud of each of you and thankful to be your President.

We will continue to work toward freedom for all, prosperity for all, and justice for all. Our union is strong, our mission is clear, and our resolve is unbreakable. We are a diverse union full of incredibly talented, determined people and, much like our nation, our ability to draw from different backgrounds, histories, and viewpoints is our strength—never a weakness.

This holiday season I wish you, your family, and our great nation a time of peace. I hope you find space to breathe deeply, to enjoy the moment, and to reflect on why, and for whom, you fight.

Thank you for all you have done, and all you have yet to do for our union.

In Unity,

Claude Cummings Jr.
President