News

CWA was a tough sell with Cingular Wireless employees in eastern Pennsylvania until they saw their job security on the line, learned about new benefits they would have under the union contract and saw the results of mobilization in another state by organized Cingular workers.

CWA bargainers in Verizon Southwest and Supply Chain negotiations are fighting back against the company's demands on contracting out and excessive mandatory overtime, and are seeking improvements in health care, employment security and wages, reported District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn.

In one of the mostly profoundly cynical, yet revealing, comments by a corporate robber baron, railroad tycoon Jay Gould, looking to break a strike in 1896, proclaimed: "I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half."

Supported by nationwide mobilization, Local 6171 kicked off bargaining with CenturyTel in quest of improvements in wages, health care, pensions and job security.

Whether volunteering as drivers at campaign stops, helping shape the Democratic platform or serving as delegates, alternates or committee members at next week's convention in Boston, CWAers are an indispensable part of the Kerry-Edwards campaign for the White House.