Jun 25, 2026 - CWAers Hold Massive Healthcare Rally

On June 18, over 3,000 CWA members, retirees, elected officials, local leaders, and allies rallied in Trenton at the New Jersey State House Annex, calling on state leaders to confront New Jersey’s healthcare affordability crisis. Members took their case directly to legislators, calling on state leaders to lower costs without shifting more of the burden onto workers, retirees, local governments, and families. Members have been visiting the capitol over the last several months to speak to lawmakers and to provide testimony on the healthcare issue. They have also made calls to legislators and spoken to reporters to share personal stories of the impacts of untenable healthcare costs.

“When public workers stand up and fight for affordable healthcare, we’re not only fighting for ourselves,” said CWA District 1 Assistant to the Vice President Bill Gallagher from the podium. “We are part of a larger movement, a movement to change the healthcare system that puts profits over people. A movement that says ‘affordability matters’.”

Ralliers called on state leaders to adopt practical reforms, including stronger oversight of healthcare vendors and carriers, real transparency in pricing and drug costs, Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform and competitive bidding, and claims audits to root out waste. Above all, members called for fixing the State Health Benefits Plan so it stays strong, affordable, and sustainable for the workers and retirees who depend on it.

In an op-ed run at news site nj.com on June 17, CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor wrote, “The message is simple, and other states have already written the proof: New Jersey can have quality, stable, affordable public health coverage and a sustainable bottom line.”

Click here for more details about the rally.

 
CWA members, retirees, and allies joined elected officials and local leaders in Trenton, N.J., to demand the state use the tools at its disposal to end the current healthcare affordability crisis.

On Monday, June 15, members of NABET-CWA working at ABC-TV ratified a new Master Agreement. The new contract will go into effect on October 1 and run through March 31, 2031.

The new ratified Master Agreement covers broadcast technicians, newswriters, producers, and desk assistants at various company network and TV station operations in New York; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; and San Francisco.

The new contract guarantees wage increases of 3%, 4%, 3%, and 3.75% over the next 4 years, the highest wage increases in a 4-year contract in more than 30 years for these members. The contract also includes improvements to how travel time is calculated, new rules to stop stagnation on the pay escalator, and guardrails regarding how generative artificial intelligence (AI) will affect members. This is a particularly important subject right now for our graphic artists and newswriters, but it will protect all of our members moving forward as AI usage becomes more widespread.

“NABET-CWA and the ABC network Locals involved are proud of the many contractual enhancements we’ve achieved in negotiations with ABC-TV,” said NABET-CWA President Charlie Braico. “The upgrades to wages, benefits, and travel provisions will directly improve the lives of our daily hire and full-time staff members significantly. Our union solidarity and determination have proven once again that when we stand strongly together, we win, for members and for workers across the board.”

Last week, AFA-CWA-represented Flight Attendants at Horizon Air voted 99.8% to authorize a strike at the wholly-owned Alaska Air Group regional airline. The vote is the result of seriously delayed bargaining and months of outrageously low economic proposals from Horizon management.

“We have dedicated our lives to Horizon and the communities that we serve,” said Lisa Davis Warren, president of the Horizon chapter of AFA-CWA, representing 650 Horizon Air Flight Attendants. “We are simply asking for the pay, benefits, and improvements we have earned. But Horizon management seems uninterested in resolving this dispute or showing the slightest concern for frontline workers who can’t afford rent or other basic life necessities.”

Their demands include living wage pay increases; increased pay for time at work, including while boarding the plane; better benefits; and work rule improvements.

The right to strike is triggered when the National Mediation Board (NMB) declares that negotiations are deadlocked and releases both parties into a 30-day “cooling off” period leading to a strike deadline.

Last week, in a mail ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), workers at Coforma voted overwhelmingly to join CWA. These workers handle digital engineering and design for government services, including those conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service’s e-filing system.

Workers cited concerns over possible layoffs, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence, and wanted a say in decision-making, clearer evaluations, and standardized pathways to promotion. To show their determination, workers coordinated a messaging campaign to send thanks and words of encouragement to a coworker who faced disciplinary action after voicing support for the union effort in a department meeting. The union has filed an unfair labor practice suit with the NLRB.

Many workers also signed a statement, delivered to the CEO, with a demand for recognition and a “vote yes” pledge before mail voting began.

“Our organizing committee worked hard having conversations with coworkers, listening to their concerns, and running a strong campaign,” said Principal Design Researcher Julie Pedtke. “I'm proud to be part of a growing labor movement at this inflection point for the tech industry, modeling more accountable and inclusive ways of working and showing others what's possible.“

Congratulations to these new CWA members. They will now join CWA Local 1103.