Aug 17, 2023 - CWAers Take Over the Airports with Rallies for Fair Contracts and other news

American Airlines Passenger Service Workers Rally For Fair Pay and Job Security

District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt (right), who is also Chair of CWA’s Passenger Service Airline Council, joined passenger service agents in Charlotte for a day of action.

After almost a year of stalled negotiations for a new bargaining agreement, CWA and IBT passenger service members at American Airlines rallied outside 10 airports as part of a national day of action to demand better pay, job security, and working conditions. Union members both in the airline industry and other sectors joined passenger service workers in solidarity on informational picket lines in Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, St. Louis, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt, who is also Chair of CWA’s Passenger Service Airline Council, joined the line in Charlotte and CWA District 2-13 Vice President Mike Davis participated in Philadelphia.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger service workers risked their own health and safety to continue serving the flying public and aided the airline industry’s economic recovery along the way,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “These workers deserve respect and they deserve a contract that recognizes their value to the company and the industry. It’s time for American Airlines to stop stalling and get serious at the bargaining table.”

“Passenger service and reservation agents like us are on the frontlines of our airline industry, assisting passengers and keeping air travel on schedule and safe,” said Zattier Marvin, President of Local 3641 in Charlotte, N.C. “Many of us have not received wage increases in four years. On top of our low pay, we are often the target of verbal and physical assaults just for performing our duties. Poverty wages and unsafe working conditions shouldn’t fly. We need a strong contract now.”

American Airlines received proposals to guarantee job security 10 months ago. Without an agreement on job security, the bargaining team cannot begin bargaining over wages, a top concern for CWA-IBT passenger service members. The CWA-IBT bargaining team will resume negotiations with American Airlines in mid-September.

Passenger service workers rally at airports across the country, from CWA Local 3140 in Miami, CWA Local 6001 at Dallas/Fort Worth, and CWA Local 4201 in Chicago. You can see more photos at www.facebook.com/AmericanAgentsConnected.

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The actions received extensive coverage from local television stations. Check out this clip from St. Louis.

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AFA-CWA Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Turn Out for Day of Solidarity

Members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA at Alaska Airlines held a Day of Solidarity with informational pickets spanning six airports on Tuesday. From Anchorage to San Diego, AFA-CWA Flight Attendants and their supporters from across the labor movement made a powerful statement to management as their Negotiating Committee returned to the bargaining table to fight for the contractual pay and work rule improvements that CWA members have earned and deserve. AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson joined the group outside the airline's headquarters near Sea-Tac International Airport.

"They like us to think that they have all the power and control. We have all the power and we generate all the power. When we come together and exercise our power, we take control and we take the money," said Nelson. "Alaska Flight Attendants, the entire union is watching you because you're going to set the next standard for the best Flight Attendant contract."

Expedited negotiations with management broke down earlier this summer. While Alaska management claimed they were committed to “top of industry” wages when negotiations started nearly a year ago, their proposals fail to meet that standard or compensate Alaska Flight Attendants for all of their time on the job.

AFA-CWA Flight Attendants are fired up for a Red Hot Summer of member mobilization. For Tuesday’s Day of Solidarity, Flight Attendants picketed at airports in Seattle, Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, and San Francisco.

AFA-CWA Flight Attendants rally in San Diego, supported by their families.

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DirecTV National Video Contract Ratified

For the first time since DirecTV was spun off from AT&T, CWA members have the collective power of a unified DirecTV National Video Contract. The contract was ratified last week with an astounding 100% of voters in favor of the agreement. This resounding show of unity and support underscores the strength and commitment of our membership.

The contract covers DirecTV dispatchers and technical support specialists across Tennessee, Iowa, and Colorado who were previously covered by the National Internet Contract with AT&T, but negotiated by bargaining unit after DirecTV was sold off.

The new national contract will give members a compound raise of 14 percent over four years and guarantee workers a $1.50 per hour relief differential. The contract improves job security with restrictions on the use of subcontractors.

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TVO Today (Canada)

Members of the Canadian Media Guild-CWA at TVO rallied in Toronto yesterday as a strike loomed over the company’s failure to bargain a fair contract with wage increases, benefits and job security. TVO is a not-for-profit media agency of the Ontario Ministry of Education and Canada’s oldest educational television service.

Wage increases far below inflation for over 10 years have employees making about 20 percent less than they used to and TVO has proposed keeping education workers perpetually on contract, without adequate benefits and job security. While the workers hope to negotiate an agreement and avoid a strike, they will be legally permitted to strike starting on Friday.

Canadian Media Guild-CWA members rallied in Toronto for wage increases and job security.

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Passaic County (N.J.) Board of Social Services

Workers at the Passaic County Board of Social Services (PCBSS), members of CWA Local 1037, picketed and marched to the Passaic County Commissioners Meeting on August 10 to demand a fair contract.

The PCBSS workers were essential and continued to provide services to the residents of Passaic County during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – but management refuses to step up and recognize the workers’ dedication and commitment. The PCBSS contract expired 19 months ago, making this the longest period that PCBSS workers have gone without a contract since 1996.

“I know we don’t bargain directly with the county commissioners, but two commissioners sit on the board of social services,” Wanda Sawyer, CWA 1037 Vice President at PCBSS said at the meeting. “On behalf of our over 300 members at the board, we call on you to stand with us and send a message to the Board of Social Services administration that Passaic County is pro-Union, collective bargaining must be respected and the time for a fair contract is now!”

Read more about the action here.

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San Francisco Chronicle Guild Ratifies Contract After Two Years of Negotiations

After more than two years of negotiations, the San Francisco Chronicle Guild (TNG-CWA Local 39521) has ratified a new contract.

Contract highlights include a minimum salary of $73,000, believed to be the highest minimum of any major unionized newsroom in the U.S., and guaranteed annual raises for all members. This agreement represents a step forward in ensuring fair pay and improved benefits and working conditions for all Guild members.

SF Chronicle/SFGATE member involvement was instrumental in achieving this contract. During the two years of bargaining, members generated action campaigns, showed up at bargaining sessions and took part in a newsroom-wide lunch out. Each member mobilization action resulted in movement at the bargaining table.

Read more here.

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NBC News Digital

Members of the NBC Guild (NewsGuild of New York, TNG-CWA Local 31003) hit the streets very early Friday morning to pass out flyers to fans gathered to see country star Kelsea Ballerini perform at the "Today Show" concert series.

NBC Guild members want and deserve a fair contract that honors their work at NBC News Digital. Instead, NBC is refusing to protect employees from bad bosses, unfair discipline, and terminations. These workers are demanding just cause to create a fair and transparent workplace. Support their petition to show NBC that all of us stand behind NBC Guild!

NBC Guild members distributed flyers to educate the public about their fight for a fair contract.

Many members of our CWA family in Hawaii have been affected by the wildfires that have destroyed parts of Maui and killed over 100 people.

CWA District 9’s Disaster Relief Fund is helping members and retirees impacted by the fires. Every dollar donated to the fund will go directly to assist CWA members and retirees in need of shelter, clothing, and household basics. Click here to donate.

Members of the Pacific Media Workers, TNG-CWA Local 39521, at the Maui News have been providing much-needed local coverage of this disaster. Some have been personally affected by the fires, evacuating as the blaze encroached on their own neighborhoods. You can show your support and solidarity by donating to this GoFundMe. Donations will go to the following:

• Food and coffee for workers
• Equipment, such as PPE and other gear, for covering the fires
• Arranging shelter and pet/baby/housesitting for workers who need it
• Other needs of members and their community as they arise

CWAers Spotlight Workforce Training at NCSL Legislative Summit

Rep. Lieder demonstrates safety procedures during an exhibition for state legislators led by CWA members.

The National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Legislative Summit brought together thousands of state legislators and legislative staff last weekend and gave elected representatives the opportunity to learn from CWA members who are training the next generation of technicians and network specialists through a workforce development program sponsored by AT&T and Corning Inc.

CWA members demonstrated the value of good, union jobs that enable workers to build decades-long careers and a high level of expertise in their profession. These union instructors are part of a program that aims to train 50,000 American workers over the next five years and equip them with the skills critical to designing, installing, and maintaining a growing fiber broadband network across the United States.

CWA members were represented among the legislators as well. Delegate Linda Foley (D-Md.) and Representative Sheila Lieder (D-Colo.) were both elected to public office after careers as CWA members and officers. Rep. Lieder is a 42-year CWA member and former central office electronic technician. She shared her support for high labor standards for BEAD funding with CWA members and took a turn demonstrating proper safety procedures.

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Maximus Workers Build Power at NBCSL Mississippi Policy Conference

CWA Legislative Campaign Lead Tysianna Marino confers with Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) during the NBCSL Mississippi Policy Conference.

Workers organizing with CWA at federal contractor Maximus joined CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Mississippi Policy Conference last week.

The workers elevated the issues motivating the union campaign at Maximus for Members of Congress and relevant Mississippi state leaders. The workers met with Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who has been our champion on this issue, to update him on their campaign and the upcoming actions they have planned. They also met with Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) to ask for his support in raising awareness of their campaign. The NBCSL Mississippi Policy Conference was focused on finding solutions to improve the working and living conditions of Black people, particularly in southern states. The Maximus workers spoke about why the freedom to join a union is a necessary condition to empower working people to improve their own futures.

Maximus workers meet with Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) during the Mississippi Policy Conference.

CODE-CWA Reaches 4,000 Member Milestone

Over the past year, CODE-CWA membership has grown by more than 1,000, signaling a new era for organizing in the tech industry.

With now more than 4,000 tech, game, and digital worker members and more than 35 units and counting, it is clear that nothing can stop the growing movement of tech workers joining together for a voice at work with the support of CODE-CWA.

This growth is reflective of more and more workers recognizing the value of the labor they provide for massive companies raking in millions of dollars in profits every year while they struggle to make ends meet. With the increase in mass layoffs, and bosses attempting to replace some workers with AI, the best protection workers in the tech industry can fight for is a union.

Tech, game, and digital workers have joined together across more than 35 different units to build CODE-CWA to be 4,000+ members strong.

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moovel

Moovel workers, who are responsible for developing software tools to improve rider experience for transit agencies such as BART, SFMTA, MDOT, and more won their union election yesterday with unanimous support. With their union, the workers of moovel Technical Union-CWA are fighting to establish the working conditions necessary to ensure healthy employee retention and sustainability.

“Our victory today makes clear that tech workers everywhere, at companies big and small, are ready to secure a protected voice on the job. My colleagues and I are excited to celebrate our win today and look forward to meeting management at the bargaining table as members of the moovel Technical Union-CWA. By standing shoulder to shoulder with our coworkers we can win the job security and quality working conditions we deserve,” said Jill Eggers, a Tech Support Representative and member of moovel Technical Union-CWA.

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Fair Housing Workers of Oregon

Last week, the Fair Housing Workers of Oregon (FHWO-CWA) requested voluntary union recognition. FHWO members are employed by the Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO). FHCO management has yet to respond.

“Nonprofit workers are often asked to do emotionally and physically taxing work for fewer benefits because it is ‘the right thing to do,’ but we know that as workers we deserve more,” said Mel Keller, Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Mid-Willamette Valley and member of FHWO-CWA. “We are forming our union because an organization cannot support itself while devaluing the workers who make the mission possible!”

Just as the Fair Housing Workers of Oregon fight to protect the housing rights of Oregonians across the state, a union will serve to secure their own labor protections so that the nonprofit workers can remain committed to this important work.

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CalMatters

The staff of CalMatters, the award-winning nonprofit journalism outlet covering California politics and policy, announced Tuesday that they are forming a union to preserve and protect a robust, equitable, and thriving newsroom.

An overwhelming majority, 92% of non-management staff, have signed cards authorizing union representation by The Pacific Media Workers Guild, NewsGuild-CWA Local 39521. They are asking CalMatters leadership to voluntarily recognize the CalMatters Guild as a unit of the Communications Workers of America.

Staff across the organization’s editorial, product and development divisions said that they’re forming a union to further CalMatters’ mission and have a voice in its future. In addition to maintaining a strong and productive relationship with leadership, the CalMatters Guild aims to cultivate advancement opportunities and to ensure that the newsroom remains competitive in attracting and retaining talent as diverse as the state they cover. Read more here.