Political Ties, Union Credibility Lead to Organizing Victory in Nogales

Political clout and CWA Local 7026's strong reputation in Nogales, Ariz., combined to help 166 non-supervisory city employees gain union recognition this summer. District 7 Vice President John Thompson said nearly 100 workers signed membership cards. They elected stewards and a bargaining committee July 30.

A contact in the city police officers' association, part of CWA Local 7077, told the district last year that the workers wanted to join a union. As the last city employees not represented, they were wary that the city would use them to balance its budget.

Local 7026 President Linda Hatfield built credibility with the workers based on the local's representation of hundreds of Tucson city and school district workers. The city employees, organized in 2000, won a first contract in 2001 with wage increases and a fair grievance procedure.

Local 7026 Qwest Steward Aurora Duran, a Nogales resident, told the workers about the benefits of her CWA contract and made many feel comfortable by conversing in Spanish.

Local Organizer Susan Aceves and the workers' organizing committee made house calls and held worksite meetings, then Hatfield and local Legislative-Political Chair Dean Smith spent seven months building influence with the city council and the mayor. Because they helped Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) get elected, they were able to ask him to use his influence on the workers' behalf.

Mayor Marco Lopez Jr. verified that a majority of the workers had signed cards and the seven-member council voted unanimously for recognition, District 7 Organizing Coordinator Rolando Figueroa said.

Others who worked on the campaign include Local 7026 Executive Vice President Angel Mamion, Secretary-Treasurer Cecilia Valdez and AFL-CIO Organizer Arturo Mendoza.