Communications Workers of America Applauds Selection of Gov. Tim Walz for Vice President

WASHINGTON, D.C. — CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. issued the following statement in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’s selection of Governor Tim Walz as her running mate:

Tim Walz has been one of the most effective pro-labor governors in the entire country. With the selection of Governor Walz as her running mate, Vice President Harris has made clear that the Harris-Walz administration will fight to empower the working class and our unions.

Governor Walz defended our fundamental right to join together in unions when he signed a ban on mandatory anti-union “captive audience” meetings that employers use to intimidate workers and weaken their organizing efforts, and by strengthening the right to organize for state employees.

As Governor, Walz signed legislation to help raise wages and improve safety on the job for workers building out high-speed internet service. He strengthened penalties on companies for employee misclassification and banned non-compete agreements that prevent workers from pursuing better jobs. He passed a statewide paid sick leave law and strengthened accommodations during pregnancy and for nursing mothers.

When he was in Congress, Walz was a strong supporter of workers, when he co-sponsored legislation to make it easier for both public and private sector workers to organize and fight against unfair trade deals.

And workers know that we can count on Governor Walz when times get tough. Multiple times as Governor, he's walked picket lines with workers on strike. That's no surprise, since he was himself a longtime union member while serving as a high school teacher.

Governor Walz has consistently championed the rights of workers and a brighter future for working families. Our members are ready and enthusiastic to elect the Harris-Walz administration—two leaders who have walked picket lines, given CWA members a seat at the table, and stood shoulder to shoulder with us in our work to build power for working people.

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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

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