Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
IUE-CWA Local Looks to Future With Full-Time Organizer
Thanks to cooperation by IUE District 7 President Mike Bindas and CWA District 4 Vice President Jeff Rechenbach, IUE-CWA Local 768 in Dayton, Ohio, is getting a full-time staff organizer, who can draw upon the training, resources and traditions of both unions.
Cheryl Baker has worked for the Dayton Phoenix Group since 1988. The company builds air conditioners for locomotives, and multiphase industrial motors and generators. She has served as alternate and chief shop steward and as a member of the negotiating committee for her bargaining unit. She is also a veteran of several successful IUE organizing campaigns around the country.
“Strong unions are built upon strong locals, in every division or sector,” said Executive Vice President Larry Cohen, who directs CWA’s organizing program. “In hiring a full-time organizer IUE-CWA Local 768 has made a serious commitment to increasing our union’s strength in the Dayton area.”
The amalgamated local comprising 11 bargaining units currently represents about 600 members. Already at work, as the CWA News went to press, Baker expected victory within days on a card-check campaign that will increase membership by another 230 workers. Rechenbach and Bindas, whose geographical districts overlap, and local President Gil Woods are enthused about the prospect.
“Cheryl will be part of the District 4 organizing network and will get continuous support from the District 4 organizing staff as well as from the IUE-CWA,” Rechenbach said.
Bindas applauded Baker’s “proven ability to organize and to educate workers on the need for representation.”
Baker, on prior leaves of absence from the Phoenix Group, has worked as an organizer for the IUE international. Gary Wise, IUE-CWA organizing director, said Baker was instrumental in a successful 1999 campaign for 700 workers at two Delphi locations in Alabama. CWA in recent years has encouraged locals to become more responsible for their own organizing, with support from staff. IUE has put more reliance on staff, supported by volunteer organizers in its locals.
“We’ve had two different strategies,” said Baker. “Hopefully we can combine the best of both to become even better at what we do.”
Cheryl Baker has worked for the Dayton Phoenix Group since 1988. The company builds air conditioners for locomotives, and multiphase industrial motors and generators. She has served as alternate and chief shop steward and as a member of the negotiating committee for her bargaining unit. She is also a veteran of several successful IUE organizing campaigns around the country.
“Strong unions are built upon strong locals, in every division or sector,” said Executive Vice President Larry Cohen, who directs CWA’s organizing program. “In hiring a full-time organizer IUE-CWA Local 768 has made a serious commitment to increasing our union’s strength in the Dayton area.”
The amalgamated local comprising 11 bargaining units currently represents about 600 members. Already at work, as the CWA News went to press, Baker expected victory within days on a card-check campaign that will increase membership by another 230 workers. Rechenbach and Bindas, whose geographical districts overlap, and local President Gil Woods are enthused about the prospect.
“Cheryl will be part of the District 4 organizing network and will get continuous support from the District 4 organizing staff as well as from the IUE-CWA,” Rechenbach said.
Bindas applauded Baker’s “proven ability to organize and to educate workers on the need for representation.”
Baker, on prior leaves of absence from the Phoenix Group, has worked as an organizer for the IUE international. Gary Wise, IUE-CWA organizing director, said Baker was instrumental in a successful 1999 campaign for 700 workers at two Delphi locations in Alabama. CWA in recent years has encouraged locals to become more responsible for their own organizing, with support from staff. IUE has put more reliance on staff, supported by volunteer organizers in its locals.
“We’ve had two different strategies,” said Baker. “Hopefully we can combine the best of both to become even better at what we do.”