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Hugh Walsh, Assistant to Bahr, Ends 38-Year CWA Career
When CWA President Morton Bahr approves a staff retirement, he usually just signs his name. In the case of Assistant to the President Hugh Walsh, Bahr appended to his signature - with a double underscore - the word "reluctantly." Walsh retired Dec. 31 at age 55.
"Hugh was a capable assistant and a friend, totally dedicated to the men and women of this union," Bahr said. I wish him the very best in his new endeavors."
Bahr brought Walsh to CWA headquarters in 1994 to take national responsibility for cable TV organizing and bargaining. In 1999 he promoted him to assistant and CWA-COPE director. For the last three years Walsh was in charge of all aspects of the CWA convention.
"Everything I got to do for this union was a privilege," Walsh said of his 38 years with CWA. "I feel very fortunate that my coworkers - the staff and the men and women I worked with at the phone company - saw fit to support me all these years in a career that I loved."
Walsh went to work in the supply department at Ohio Bell in 1965 and immediately signed on as a member of CWA. He later worked as a telecom equipment and PBX repairman, while serving Local 4340 in Cleveland as a steward, chief steward, and vice president. He became local president to finish an unexpired term and was twice reelected before joining the CWA staff in February 1984.
Politically active in Ohio, he was appointed administrator of labor relations by Ohio's Gov. Celeste to help develop and lobby for the Ohio Collective Bargaining Law. The bill passed and the law went into effect in April 1984. He organized public workers in Ohio, serviced their new locals and bargained several first contracts under the new law.
In 1986 after the merger of Districts 4 and 5 into the now larger District 4, Walsh was transferred to Wisconsin. In 1990 he moved to Chicago and was promoted to administrative assistant to the vice president of District 4.
"Hugh was a capable assistant and a friend, totally dedicated to the men and women of this union," Bahr said. I wish him the very best in his new endeavors."
Bahr brought Walsh to CWA headquarters in 1994 to take national responsibility for cable TV organizing and bargaining. In 1999 he promoted him to assistant and CWA-COPE director. For the last three years Walsh was in charge of all aspects of the CWA convention.
"Everything I got to do for this union was a privilege," Walsh said of his 38 years with CWA. "I feel very fortunate that my coworkers - the staff and the men and women I worked with at the phone company - saw fit to support me all these years in a career that I loved."
Walsh went to work in the supply department at Ohio Bell in 1965 and immediately signed on as a member of CWA. He later worked as a telecom equipment and PBX repairman, while serving Local 4340 in Cleveland as a steward, chief steward, and vice president. He became local president to finish an unexpired term and was twice reelected before joining the CWA staff in February 1984.
Politically active in Ohio, he was appointed administrator of labor relations by Ohio's Gov. Celeste to help develop and lobby for the Ohio Collective Bargaining Law. The bill passed and the law went into effect in April 1984. He organized public workers in Ohio, serviced their new locals and bargained several first contracts under the new law.
In 1986 after the merger of Districts 4 and 5 into the now larger District 4, Walsh was transferred to Wisconsin. In 1990 he moved to Chicago and was promoted to administrative assistant to the vice president of District 4.