Local 2009 is CWA STRONG

Local 2009 in Huntington, W. Va., represents more than 500 workers at AT&T Mobility, Frontier Communications, and DIRECTV.

Members of CWA Local 2009 in Huntington, W. Va., are mobilizing to make CWA STRONG.

The local is growing and thriving despite anti-union attacks from the Republican state legislature. Last year, a West Virginia "right to work" (for less) law was passed, overriding the governor's veto. A circuit court judge issued a temporary injunction prohibiting the law from being enforced – for now.

With West Virginia workers' collective bargaining rights in limbo, Local 2009 is taking a proactive organizing approach as part of the CWA STRONG program.

As the local focuses on expanding its reach, Local President Shannon Fink says that face time is the key. "One-on-one, face-to-face contact between coworkers is how we grow. In order to organize effectively, we must have people in each workgroup reaching out to their coworkers individually to talk about what the union does to help them in the workplace and help the community." 

Fink says that sharing information with prospective members about efforts like CWA's push to pass call center legislation shows that the union is actively working to help them.

The local is training 30 stewards this week, and is planning other mobilizing events.