Oct 1, 2026 - Major First Amendment Win for NewsGuild-CWA

Elections 2026: CWA Retiree Town Hall!

On October 7, join CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. for a CWA Retiree Virtual Town Hall. There you will learn about how the upcoming midterm elections could impact you, your family, and your community, and what you can do to help pro-worker candidates win!

Click here to learn more and RSVP for this important meeting.

In August, CWA District 3 members and retirees met in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for networking, education, and to refocus on the theme, “Leading the Fight for Working Families.” The conference included industry- and bargaining unit-focused breakout sessions, committee meetings, and workshops on topics including “Broadband Organizing,” “Empowering Legislative Victories,” and an overview of the Department of Labor.

CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. delivered remarks to those gathered. He was accompanied by CWA District 6 Vice President Derrick Osobase; CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arce; CWA Telecommunications and Technologies Vice President Lisa Bolton; CWA Public, Healthcare and Education Workers Vice President Margaret Cook; NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss; CWA Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam; and CWA Retired Members Council President Gwen Parker.

Members also heard from Assistant to the President and CWA Senior Director of Organizing Tom Smith and CWA Director of Human Rights, Education and Health & Safety, Angie Wells.

President Cummings highlighted the tremendous sacrifice and solidarity CWA District 3 members showed during their AT&T Mobility Black Contract strike in 2024, saying, “You didn’t just talk about striking and solidarity and determination; you showed AT&T executives and the entire nation that those are more than just pretty words. And that work has paved the way for recent contract negotiations, which have gone much easier since AT&T now knows we don’t play and we don’t make empty threats. Thank you again for your sacrifices. I know that strike took a lot. But the contract and the reputation you won are worth it.”

Conference attendees also took part in a protest outside of ADT headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla., calling on management to “Respect Your Workers and Respect Our Union.” CWA District 3 showed solidarity with ADT members in Districts 4 and 7, set to begin bargaining at the end of the year.

Yesterday, California members of the NewsGuild-CWA learned that California Governor Gavin Newsom had signed a bill into law that would create tax credits to support journalism jobs in the state. NewsGuild-CWA members, in partnership with other organizations as part of the Rebuild Local News coalition, maintained pressure on the governor to support the Community Newsroom Employment and Workforce Sustainability Act (Community NEWS Act).

The law creates job retention credits of up to $20,000 each year for every employed journalist and creates a $15,000 credit for every new journalist hired. Part-time journalist positions are supported with $7,500 credits. The new law follows similar legislation passed by New York and Illinois two years ago.

“I’m proud that my old home state of California will actively support journalism jobs,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “Journalism is facing an extinction-level event, and the only way to reverse course is to create tax credits to support journalism jobs. This law is a model for every other state and the federal government.”

Click here to learn more about this First Amendment victory.

After two years of negotiations, members of the United Soccer League Players Association (USLPA-CWA Local 7211) have announced the ratification of a new contract. USLPA-CWA currently represents approximately 1,100 players, with over 500 members in this unit. An upcoming league expansion could see the unit increase to over 800 members.

Players cited the need for year-round contracts, livable wage minimums, and guaranteed access to employer-paid health insurance as primary concerns going into negotiations. Despite anti-union efforts by United Soccer League (USL) management, members refused to back down from the fair contract they deserved.

This contract raises the bar for what it means to be a professional player in the United States, helping to create a more sustainable work environment. Prior to the contract, players were only paid for 10 months every year and often had to scramble for other employment during the off-season. This contract will help reduce turnover and help players avoid and recover from injury.

“Our players showed what solidarity looks like,” said USLPA-CWA Local 7211 Executive Director Connor Tobin. “For eight weeks, they stood together during the first minute of every match to make clear that they have a voice and a say in their future.

“This contract is a foundation for the players who come next. It means future players will have stronger protections and a stronger voice. We are proud of what our players fought for and what they have built together.”

 
Pictured, left to right: IFPTE Local 98 President Daniel Kim, CWA Local 2336 Finance Committee Member Korey Hines, CWA Local 2336 President Melissa Smith-Kupihea, NewsGuild-CWA National Civil Rights and Equity Chair Tim Fitzgerald, CWA Legislative Advisor Tysianna Marino, and IFPTE Legislative Director Faraz Khan raised fists of determination outside the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions meeting room at the U.S. Capitol Building.

CWA members and staffers joined union siblings at a rally in Washington, D.C., last week calling to restore bargaining rights stripped from federal workers by the current administration. President Donald Trump, at the start of his second term, signed an executive order revoking protections for nearly one million federal workers, hindering a wide range of services, including healthcare for veterans.