After more than a year of intensive lobbying and solidarity from CWA Local 3010 members, the Puerto Rico Senate and House unanimously approved bipartisan legislation supported by CWA which will protect public 9-1-1 funds and restore CWA members' collective bargaining that has been suspended since 2014.

"CWA is proud of this achievement. Since 2017, our 9-1-1 dispatcher and administrative personnel have suffered the consequences of the fiscal crisis. This law will restore collective bargaining rights and wages, while making sure that 9-1-1 funds will be used exclusively to handle call emergencies, in accordance with federal law and regulations," said Aramis Cruz, CWA Local 3010 President.

The law, now awaiting the signature of Governor Wanda Vazquez, was created in response to a funding crisis that 9-1-1 in Puerto Rico has been experiencing that has led to an increase in response time, a massive personnel shortage, and has placed lives and property of those who live in or visit Puerto Rico in danger. The bill will guarantee that 9-1-1 centers in Puerto Rico are properly funded.

"Now CWA members will fight to make sure the governor understands the importance of this measure and signs it promptly," said Cruz.

CWA Local 3010 members supported legislation to protect public 9-1-1 funds and restore CWA members' collective bargaining.

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission adopted strong service quality and consumer protection rules for CenturyLink on October 31st. The work of CWA members, including attending the hearing, participating in focus groups, and providing bad plant photos, played a major role in the decision, and CWA's role is cited in the Order.

The Commission mostly rejected CenturyLink's attempts to water down the Commission's proposed rules (e.g. eliminating the customer service response time requirements), and it also agreed to strengthen some requirements that were proposed by CWA or the other parties. For example, they lowered the trouble report rate from 18% to 12% and added additional data that the Commission is required to collect when customers file complaints.

The NMPRC Order states: "CenturyLink admits that some of the photographs provided by the CWA indicate 'substandard repairs' and 'unacceptable work.' CenturyLink does not explain how lower levels of quality of service regulation will remedy such deficiencies. The Commission finds that robust quality of service regulation is more likely to encourage CenturyLink to maintain and repair its wireline infrastructure."

Last week, CWA's Next Generation program and District 7 held a Next Gen Activist Training in Denver. Twenty-one participants from nine different states spent two days exploring working-class struggles and how to fight back against the agenda of the 1%. Participants honed their political and organizing skills and developed plans to get fellow young members involved in their states with support from CWA Local and District mentors. They'll immediately get to work on organizing and putting pressure on Congress to pass the PRO Act to build worker power.

"This group of young union activists gives me tremendous hope for our future as a movement," said Carissa Hahn, CWA District 7 Next Gen Lead Activist and lead trainer. "With the skills and experience that our trainers brought to the table, and the ongoing support of our mentors, we are building a formidable cadre of young organizers to strengthen our movement. We are fired up and ready to go!"

Last week, CWA's Next Generation program and District 7 held a Next Gen Activist Training in Denver, spending two days exploring working-class struggles and how to fight back against the agenda of the 1%.