CWA President Claude Cummings Jr.
Claude Cummings Jr. was elected president of the Communications Workers of America by delegates to the union’s 79th convention on July 10, 2023.
Cummings previously served as vice president of CWA District 6, representing more than 45,000 members in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
A Houston, Tex., native, Cummings started his union career when he went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T) in 1973 and worked as a Frame Attendant and Communications Technician, maintaining systems for NASA, among other corporate customers. Prior to his election to District 6 Vice President he was President of CWA Local 6222 representing more than 8,000 members, having served previously in other leadership positions in the local, including Vice President. Cummings was the first Black man elected to all of these positions.
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CWA Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam
Ameenah Salaam was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America by acclamation by delegates of the 79th CWA convention on July 10, 2023.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Salaam started her union career when she went to work for Diamond State Telephone in 1991 as a customer service representative. She was elected as a CWA Local 13100 steward and served as Vice President of the local until September 1997 when she joined the CWA national staff. As an assistant to outgoing CWA President Chris Shelton, she has played critical leading roles in organizing, bargaining and mobilization campaigns, supporting staff and pushing CWA's core mission forward with effective strategic planning and fiscal responsibility.
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Executive Board
CWA's Executive Board governs the union between conventions. It includes the President and Secretary-Treasurer, and vice presidents for seven geographic districts, six industry sectors, the Canadian director and four at-large members.