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.
Organizing Roundup
ORGANIZING ROUNDUP
Union Membership Lightens Load for Skycaps
The next time you tip a skycap, you might be tipping a CWA member. Locals 2000 and 2111 have helped 101 skycaps, baggage handlers, document checkers and wheelchair pushers at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, employed by Aviation Security, to win union representation.
After visiting the airport several times, speaking to workers and helping an inside committee collect cards requesting a representation election, local organizers were able to negotiate voluntary recognition. The new unit of Local 2000 - a US Airways local - received certification on May 8, after signing up 70 percent of the workers.
"Their biggest issue is health benefits - they don't have any," said Local 2111 Organizer Pam Wilt, who coordinated the drive. She said they are also concerned about how many workers are scheduled on any given shift.
Local 2000 Organizers Pam Collette and Don Smith made several visits to the terminal to provide information. Aviation Safeguard workers Shawn Woodruff, George Johnson and Sam Springer made the rounds and collected cards.
Directory Workers Look Up CWA
Everyone knows if you want to do business, you've got to be in the phone book. Workers in Dayton, Ohio who sell yellow page ads decided it was equally true that to win a voice on the job, you've got to have a union. The American Arbitration Association on May 9 certified CWA following a card-check campaign to represent 42 employees in the Dayton, Ohio SBC Directory Operations (Ameritech Advertising Services) office.
District 4 Organizing Coordinator Susan Baxter-Fleming, Local 4322 Organizer Melissa Murphy and Cindy Puett, a yellow pages leader from Local 4900 in Indianapolis, worked with a solid committee of workers at AAS.
Local 4322 made several previous attempts to organize the unit, but this time the workers reached out to the local, contacting Organizing Chair Julie Schieltz several months ago.
"They were sold on our grievance procedure, steward representation and other benefits," Murphy said.
A Unique Addition To CWA Health Sector
Performing surgery, giving shots to prevent rabies and finding homes for wayward pets is all in a day's work for 13 veterinarians employed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York City. In April they voted 7-5 to join CWA.
Concerned about possible layoffs and rumors that management might introduce an incentive pay scale, the vets wanted a voice on the job. Local 1180 Vice President Bill Henning met with them several times.
"The things Bill presented were basically the things we were looking for," said Doug Giacalone, a 10-year ASPCA vet.
The vets, who will become Local 1180 members, met on May 18 to plan for bargaining. Except for a few in government, Giacalone said, they may be the first union-represented veterinarians in the country.
Union Membership Lightens Load for Skycaps
The next time you tip a skycap, you might be tipping a CWA member. Locals 2000 and 2111 have helped 101 skycaps, baggage handlers, document checkers and wheelchair pushers at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, employed by Aviation Security, to win union representation.
After visiting the airport several times, speaking to workers and helping an inside committee collect cards requesting a representation election, local organizers were able to negotiate voluntary recognition. The new unit of Local 2000 - a US Airways local - received certification on May 8, after signing up 70 percent of the workers.
"Their biggest issue is health benefits - they don't have any," said Local 2111 Organizer Pam Wilt, who coordinated the drive. She said they are also concerned about how many workers are scheduled on any given shift.
Local 2000 Organizers Pam Collette and Don Smith made several visits to the terminal to provide information. Aviation Safeguard workers Shawn Woodruff, George Johnson and Sam Springer made the rounds and collected cards.
Directory Workers Look Up CWA
Everyone knows if you want to do business, you've got to be in the phone book. Workers in Dayton, Ohio who sell yellow page ads decided it was equally true that to win a voice on the job, you've got to have a union. The American Arbitration Association on May 9 certified CWA following a card-check campaign to represent 42 employees in the Dayton, Ohio SBC Directory Operations (Ameritech Advertising Services) office.
District 4 Organizing Coordinator Susan Baxter-Fleming, Local 4322 Organizer Melissa Murphy and Cindy Puett, a yellow pages leader from Local 4900 in Indianapolis, worked with a solid committee of workers at AAS.
Local 4322 made several previous attempts to organize the unit, but this time the workers reached out to the local, contacting Organizing Chair Julie Schieltz several months ago.
"They were sold on our grievance procedure, steward representation and other benefits," Murphy said.
A Unique Addition To CWA Health Sector
Performing surgery, giving shots to prevent rabies and finding homes for wayward pets is all in a day's work for 13 veterinarians employed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York City. In April they voted 7-5 to join CWA.
Concerned about possible layoffs and rumors that management might introduce an incentive pay scale, the vets wanted a voice on the job. Local 1180 Vice President Bill Henning met with them several times.
"The things Bill presented were basically the things we were looking for," said Doug Giacalone, a 10-year ASPCA vet.
The vets, who will become Local 1180 members, met on May 18 to plan for bargaining. Except for a few in government, Giacalone said, they may be the first union-represented veterinarians in the country.