S-T Talk April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Prior issues of S-T Talk are available on our website. Just visit cwa.org/s-t-talk

2025 CWA 80th CONVENTION
The 2025 CWA 80th Convention begins at 9 am on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center located at 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Be on the look out for the official call, online registration, and additional information in May 2025.

CWA COPE/COMPLIANCE:
CWA-COPE PCC PAF Card Training
We've been diligently enhancing the COPE & PAF card experience in Aptify! To support these updates, we're hosting a refreshed training session covering how to create a PAF card in Aptify, leverage COPE reports to streamline your workflow, and address any questions you may have about COPE and Aptify. Whether you're new to COPE or have been part of the process for years, this training will provide valuable insights. We hope to see you there!

Here are the upcoming training dates, which you can register for using this link (https://cwa-union.jotform.com/233035015804950):

Tuesday - 4/22/2025 - 11 am 
Tuesday - 5/6/2025 - 11 am 
Friday - 5/2/2025 - 1 pm 
Friday - 5/16/2025 - 1 pm

Each training is expected to be roughly 1.5 hrs long. The day before the training, you will receive an email with the Zoom link for the session.

DISASTER RELIEF INFORMATION
Union Plus: A complete resource for all things Disaster-Related assistance from Union Plus.
Please distribute this flyer with valuable information to your members. unionplus.org/assistance.

Updated CWA Disaster Relief Applications for US and Canada
Now a convenient fillable form and easier process when your property is declared a complete loss.

Disaster Relief Fund Member Handbook - US

Disaster Relief Member Handbook - Canada

DUES
Charitable Invoices Hit Inboxes in March!
Your annual quotas for both the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation (EGPAF) and the Eduardo Diaz Union-To-Union International Solidarity Fund have been uploaded into Aptify and can be found on the Open Invoices Report.

More information about these charities can be found at: HERE and HERE.

You can pay these quotas like you would any other invoices. Please note these are optional, so they do NOT affect local delinquency and they will NOT be picked up by the AutoPay process.

Thank you for your ongoing support of these crucial charities. If you have any questions, or would like to optout this year, please email duesquestion@cwa-union.org.

FINANCE
End of the Fiscal Year Deadline - May 21, 2025
Just a reminder that we are quickly approaching the end of the fiscal year.

All general fund expenses, excluding SIF and Growth fund charges, that need to be paid during this fiscal budget year must be submitted into PN3 no later than Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in order to ensure that they are paid by May 31st. Anything received after May 21, 2025, will be charged to the 2025-2026 budget.

Please feel free to share this information with anyone in your District, Sector, Division, or Department who handles expenses and invoices. If you have any questions, contact the Secretary-Treasurer's office at SToffice@cwa-union.org. Thanks as always for your assistance!

Locals have 90 Days to request reimbursement for Expenses

All expense reimbursements must be submitted to your District/Sector for processing prior to 90 days of when the work was completed. It is important to make this a priority; especially, for SIF and Growth fund reimbursements since there is a time limit and funding limitations on these projects.

Also, when submitting reimbursement requests please make sure that a detailed business purpose is included along with all supporting documentation to ensure timely processing.

MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
FREE Website, Email, Texting, and Other Online Tools for Locals
Did you know that CWA offers an easy-to-use solution for Local websites called Union Hall? The platform is free to use - the only cost is your domain name registration, which is usually less than $10 per year. We even provide phone and email support. Learn more at cwa-union.org/for-locals/websites.

CWA Locals also have free access to the complete Action Network toolset, which includes the ability to send unlimited emails to your members and to create online actions like petitions, forms, event RSVP pages, and letter campaigns. Text messaging is also available for a minimal fee - about a half cent per message. You can sign up here or reach out to the CWA Communications Department for more information and a demo at commshelp@cwa-union.org.

Already using our tools and need a refresher? Check out our training schedule and recordings of previous training sessions here: cwa-union.org/CommsTrainings.

HANDS OFF MY UNION RALLY SIGNS AND MORE
NOW available on the CWA Materials Site
Orders may now be placed for these rally signs <HERE>

These are double-sided and durable 12”x18” and ship immediately.

ICYMI:(In Case You Missed It)
Convention Countdown - Are You Ready? 
The countdown is on! If you plan to be seated as a delegate at the upcoming convention, make sure your dues files, and payments are up to date through January 2025. Staying current ensures your eligibility under the CWA Constitution and Local Bylaws.

Key deadlines to keep in mind:

• Dues files and payments must be current through January 2025.
• Your voting strength is based on the 12-month member average from April 2024 – March 2025.
• Delinquency Month: January 2025

Check your dues status to ensure you are eligible to participate!

Need to check your status or have questions? Email CWACredentials@cwa-union.org for assistance

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS and Trumps Stop Work Order
CWA’s Charity of Choice partner, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), continues to face challenges following the recent stop work orders from the U.S. government.

The suspensions and terminations represent approximately $30M in annual funding lost for EGPAF’s essential HIV services. The terminated or suspended projects in Lesotho, Eswatini, and Uganda reach more than 200,000 people with HIV treatment services across 172 clinics.

Currently, EGPAF-supported healthcare sites are struggling to address programmatic gaps, especially for children. This includes interruptions in service delivery, laboratory services stopped, pharmacy disruptions, and interruptions in date collection for patient care. These interruptions directly impact the quality of screening and testing for HIV services, as well as the available medicines for children and families living with HIV.

EGPAF is continuing to navigate this situation and the great effect on their ability to provide lifesaving support to the communities they serve. Through this time, CWA members continue to provide vital donations and help raise awareness for an AIDS-free generation.

To keep up to date with EGPAF, please follow them on social media @EGPAF. To support EGPAF, please complete the CWA Pediatric AIDS Guidelines and Deduction Authorization Form or contribute to EGPAF directly online here.

In Unity,

Ameenah Salaam
Secretary-Treasurer