Organizing Update

Speedwire

Technicians at Speedwire, an AT&T contractor, have voted to join CWA Local 1101. The vote was 19-11.

Speedwire technicians wire "smart homes" for AT&T Digital Life, a home automation service that allows you to control your home from your smartphone, tablet or PC. It can help you do everything from turning off the lights to monitoring carbon monoxide leaks to opening the door remotely for a trusted neighbor.

The number of Speedwire techs on the job will likely increase in the next several months.

CWA organizer Ken Spatta led this effort with assistance from Anthony Barresi and Heather Trainor.

###

FOX Hub in Las Vegas

NABET-CWA won its third election in 13 months in District 9, organizing workers at a FOX broadcast hub in Las Vegas. The vote was 21-13.

In the past this master control work had been done at each individual station. Now, the Las Vegas hub supports 28 other FOX stations nationwide, including NABET-CWA represented stations in Los Angeles, Detroit and Chicago. The Las Vegas members will be represented by NABET-CWA Local 59053.

###

United Transportation Alliance of New Jersey

Newark taxi cab drivers come together to launch the United Transportation Alliance with CWA Local 1039.

Newark taxi cab drivers and CWA have teamed up to launch the United Transportation Alliance of New Jersey.

UTANJ will fight for basic workplace, civil and privacy rights, as well as economic justice and access to healthcare. The new alliance will also benefit consumers and the public – by making sure the ride is safe and reliable with rates that are transparent, consistent and fair.

"Newark's taxi drivers work long, hard hours with little pay and even less protection," said Chris Shelton, CWA District 1 Vice-President. "Right now, these hard-working men and women are forced to deal with all the negatives of being an independent contractor, yet they enjoy none of the benefits or protections. The UTANJ will change all that. The days of ripping these drivers off is over."

CWA organizers have already met or spoken with over 300 of Newark's roughly 2,000 taxi cab drivers. They work 12-14 hour days, barely making minimum wage with fares coming in at a mere $6 to $10 per trip. If they're lucky or put in extremely long shifts, they'll make 10 rides a day.

UTANJ will be an affiliate of CWA, and its members will be CWA Local 1039. CWA already represents taxi drivers in Denver. The other six major American cities which currently have taxi cab alliances are Austin, Eugene, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, and Washington, D.C.