American Airlines Agents Win President's Organizing Award

Customer service agents at American Airlines worked for two decades to win CWA representation. Last September, agents voted overwhelmingly – by an 86 percent vote – and won their CWA voice.

Those activists, volunteers, local organizers and CWA organizers who stuck with the fight for more than 17 years were honored with the President's Award, CWA's highest honor for organizing.

"My dream, as Larry has said, is 'One Day Longer Each Day Stronger,'" said Richard Shaughnessy of Miami, who also is a member of the bargaining committee. "We won. I can officially say that I am a proud graduate of the Sandy Rusher/Larry Cohen School of Organizing."

Other leaders, like Rosemary Capasso, Dallas-Fort Worth, faced the reality that she might be fired for her union activities and lose her retirement benefits. She decided that no matter what she might lose, she wouldn't give up the fight. Annette Rocco of Hartford, Conn., had her job contracted out, but she stuck with the fight and turned out all the eligible furloughed voters at her airport.

CWA Organizing Director Sandy Rusher reported that since the last convention in 2013, more than 19,000 new members have joined our union through organizing and affiliations.

Locals that organized at least 100 workers also were recognized:

Local 1039, Local 1101, Local 1109, Local 1126, Local 2201, Local 32035, Local 3201, Local 3217, Local 3220, Local 4202, Local 4340, Local 6110, Local 6132, Local 6137, Local 6143, Local 6206, Local 6222, Local 6229, Local 6733, Local 7202, Local 7708, Local 7750, Local 7777, and Local 59053, along with these locals that worked together to organized the 14,500 American Airlines/USAirways agents: 1171, 2252, 3010, 3140, 3640, 3641, 6001, 13401 and 13302.