Sep 16, 2021 - CWA First Responder Honored for Heroism and Service and other news

On Tuesday, after weeks of mobilizing by CWAers and other activists, a majority of Californians rejected the recall effort to remove Governor Gavin Newsom from office. CWAers in California kicked off their "Vote No on the Recall" campaign last month in an effort to keep Newsom in office. The campaign, led by three regional coordinators, Vanessa Mesa (Southern Region), CWA Local 9509; Fidel Andrade (Central Region), CWA Local 9333; and Heladio Saldivar (Northern Region), CWA Local 9421, mobilized members across the state to join weekly phone banks and weekend labor walks.

“CWA worked tirelessly since the beginning of this campaign to educate voters on what this election meant to working people. Our activists reached out to every single CWA member in the state through the weekly phone banks,” said CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arce. “We did not waver in our commitment to fight against this shameful attempt to undermine our democracy. I have never been more proud to be part of CWA and the labor movement.”

This attempted power grab was a wasted effort by Republicans and anti-worker forces who pose a direct threat to workers’ rights. The hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars spent on this failed attempt could have been invested in improving the lives of working people who keep the state and our country running. CWAers and other union members made the difference in this recall election. Now, we have to build on this momentum and keep mobilizing to elect pro-worker candidates to state, local, and federal office.

CWA Members in California mobilizing as part of the “Vote No on the Recall” campaign to keep Governor Gavin Newsom in office.

Frontier California

Last Thursday, Frontier workers in California held an informational picket to put pressure on the company to bargain a fair contract with the union. CWA represents nearly 2,000 members in California whose current contract with Frontier California expired on September 4. The contract expiration came a day after CWA members at Frontier voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike after being fed up by continued delaying tactics and retrogressive proposals from the company. The strike authorization vote gives the union the ability to strike at any moment, if needed. The picket, organized by CWA Local 9586, was part of the effort to increase pressure on management to do the right thing and prioritize workers over profit. Frontier workers across the state continue to mobilize and fight for a fair contract. For more information on bargaining updates please visit the CWA District 9 Website.

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Catholic Health

CWA health care workers in Buffalo, N.Y., have been fighting for a fair contract that addresses major issues at Catholic Health, including better staffing, safe working conditions, fair wages, and improved benefits. Last Thursday, the members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if Catholic Health does not negotiate a new contract to address their needs. Earlier this month, more than 700 health care workers from Mercy, St. Joseph’s, and Kenmore Mercy hospitals held a picket to raise concerns about the critical issues workers are facing that have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic at all three Catholic Health hospitals. The strike authorization is the latest step taken by the members to raise the pressure on Catholic Heath to address these issues ahead of the current contract’s expiration on September 30.

Read more here.

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NewsGuild

Workers at the Seattle Times Digital, Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild (TNG-CWA Local 37082); Inside Higher Ed, Washington-Baltimore News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 32035); and American Civil Liberties Union Kansas, United Media Guild (TNG-CWA Local 36047) successfully negotiated impressive first contracts while workers at SEIU Local 73, Chicago NewsGuild (TNG-CWA Local 34071) negotiated a new contract. These contracts came just in time for the workers to celebrate Labor Day knowing that their new contracts guarantee them a voice on the job. Congratulations to all the workers who stayed strong during negotiations and achieved these victories.

CWA members across the country will be mobilizing to ensure that Congress passes the Build Back Better Act which will create jobs, cut taxes, lower costs for working families, and make it easier for workers to join unions.

The most recent version of the bill includes several key provisions from the PRO Act: real financial penalties for employers who retaliate against workers organizing a union, a ban on mandatory anti-union meetings, personal liability for executives who knowingly break labor law, and a ban on permanently replacing or discriminating against workers who go on strike.

Every single worker deserves to be paid fairly, have safe working conditions, and shouldn’t be punished for organizing a union and speaking up for their rights. Take action to urge Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation by signing the petition and participating in upcoming actions. Find out more here.

This Friday, CWAers from across the country will be participating in a national day of action to put pressure on the Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, which was introduced on Tuesday by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). The bill contains many of the important provisions from the For the People Act, which the House of Representatives passed earlier this year.

The same corporate interests that fight us at the bargaining table are stacking the rules against us when it comes to political participation. Corporate CEOs and the wealthiest 1% have spent decades rigging the system to reduce our power. They have put restrictions in place that make it harder for people to vote, flooded elections with money, and weakened the rules that prevent elected officials from profiting from their public service.

CWAers are joining other activists this Friday to make our voices heard by calling our Senators to ask them to support the Freedom to Vote Act to ensure a fair and functioning democracy for all. Put a reminder in your calendar for tomorrow to click this link to be connected to your Senator and add your voice.

CWA Local 6360 member and Communications Office Zach Cobb received an award last month for his heroism and service as a first responder.

CWA Local 6360 member and 911 Communications Officer Zach Cobb was recognized for his heroism at the Blue Springs, Mo., First Responders Recognition & Awards Luncheon last month. In early April, during his shift as a 911 dispatcher, Officer Cobb received a call from a woman who threatened to take her own life. He was able to build a rapport with her and talk her down until police officers arrived. The bravery and professionalism he displayed during the span of three minutes saved a life. Other honorees at the luncheon included firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement, and other 911 dispatchers.