CWA District 7 Members Build Power at Annual Meeting

CWAers from across District 7 gathered for their annual meeting, held for the first time in person since the pandemic.

Hundreds of members met in Albuquerque, N.M., to participate in workshops and committee meetings and hear from union leaders and guest speakers. After CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister shared opening remarks, CWA President Chris Shelton delivered a video message stressing the need for every member to mobilize to build support for pro-worker candidates in the last few days leading up to the critical midterm elections. He also applauded the members’ hard work organizing new members into our union, bargaining strong contracts under the difficult circumstances of the pandemic, and engaging CWAers on critical issues such as broadband expansion. “As tough as they have been, the challenges we faced since the pandemic have also given rise to this incredible moment we find ourselves in. This moment where workers like you all across the country are rising up and saying enough is enough. Polling data tells us that our members are united on issues of workers’ rights and democracy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build back stronger and it is on us to make the most of it,” said Shelton.

Vice President McAllister recognized the dedicated team of staff and member leaders who have navigated the difficulties of the pandemic to continue to represent CWAers and make our union stronger. She also stressed the need to take advantage of this moment where workers are rising for change, and expressed solidarity with the striking CWA members at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We have to mobilize workers to fight for the best contracts and workplaces – and organize the unorganized to meet this moment of the labor upsurge. We are fighting a 50-year class war and we need to fight it on all fronts,” said McAllister.

Conference participants also heard from CWA Public, Healthcare and Education Sector Vice President Margaret Cook, Western Region At-Large Executive Board Member Keith Gibbs, and other guest speakers.