S-T Talk - August 2025

August 15, 2025

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

QUARTERLY LOCAL S-T TOWNHALL ZOOMS:
Our next gathering of S-Ts is on August 26, 2025. Be sure to update your email in Aptify so we can send you the Zoom invitation. During our August Townhall, Krystal Dehaba from the Compliance team will provide guidance on navigating LM season with confidence — covering everything from early filing preparation to effectively managing amendment requests from the Department of Labor.

We are always looking for topics to cover that are of interest for you, so please email stoffice@cwa-union.org and let me know what is of interest to you.

APTIFY
2025 CWA Annual Training Schedule: Aptify/Dues, XL, BU Refresher, and Grievance Management Module

Our 2025 training calendar is designed to cater to a diverse range of learners. Join us for any of the following sessions.

   Aptify and Dues process
   In-depth and detailed training to help new users learn how to use Aptify and understand the dues process. 
   (Duration ~3 hours)
        September 12, 2025 – 12 pm ET
        November 7, 2025 – 12pm ET

   Bottom-up dues process Refresher
   This training is geared toward users who are already familiar with Aptify but would like to review the bottom-
   up process to solidify their skills. This training only applies to locals who have a bottom-up dues structure.
   (Duration ~ 1.5 hours)
        October 24, 2025 – 12 pm ET

   Microsoft Excel training
   Everyone is welcome to join and learn all of our tips and tricks to navigate through your Aptify data. We will 
   share the most useful MS Excel functions to optimize the data extracted from Aptify reports. (Duration ~ 1.5 
   hours)
        August 29, 2025 - 12 pm ET
        November 21, 2025 - 12 pm ET

   *NEW* Aptify Grievance Management module
   Streamline grievance filing and management with Aptify’s new web-based module — configure procedures, 
   manage deadlines, upload documentation, and track resolutions.

   With this module, local, district, and sector users can easily configure collective bargaining agreements’ 
   grievance procedures, employer and member data, upload supporting documentation, and manage important 
   deadlines to manage member grievances and track everything to get to a resolution. (Duration ~ 2 hours)

   LOCALS (Stewards/Local Rep/Local Officers) - Grievance Management module training sessions
        October 17, 2025 - 12 pm ET

   DISTRICT/SECTORS Reps - Grievance Management module training sessions
        October 31, 2025 - 12 pm ET

To sign up for one of our training sessions, please complete and submit this form. If you have any questions, email us at AptifySupport@cwa-union.org.

COPE-COMPLIANCE:
990 Copies
If you have not already done so, please email a copy of your local’s 2024 IRS 990 report to cwamail@cwa-union.org.

Local LM Filing Deadline (For Fiscal Year Ending September 30th):
Locals with a Fiscal Year Ending date of September 30, 2025, have an LM filing with the Department of Labor due electronically by December 29, 2025.

The LMRDA does not authorize or grant any extension of time for filing these reports for any reason.

Electronic Forms System (EFS) is a web-based system for completing, signing, and submitting Labor Organization Annual Financial Reports. EFS allows a labor organization with a web-enabled computer the ability to acquire, complete, sign, and electronically file reports without purchasing a digital signature or downloading special software.

   Reporting Requirements
 

• If total annual receipts are less than $10,000, Locals may use the online Form LM-4; 
• If total annual receipts are less than $250,000, Locals may use the online Form LM-3;
• If total annual receipts are more than $250,000, Locals must use the online Form LM-2.

   Go to the following links for more info on the LM-2, LM-3, and LM-4:
   https://www.dol.gov/agencies/olms/reports/forms/lm-1-lm-2-lm-3-lm-4

   Exclusion From Filing LM Reports
   Only those Locals comprised entirely of public employees (state, county, or municipal employees) are 
   excluded from filing an LM financial report.

   CWA Councils ― Labor-Management (LM) Reporting
   CWA Councils (city, state, or regional Councils) are also subject to the reporting requirements of the LMRDA. 
   The Councils should use the same monetary guidelines as previously outlined in determining which LM financial 
   report form to use. (Part V. Federal Reporting of the UOPM)

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 the US and Canada
Now, a convenient fillable form and an easier process when your property is declared a complete loss.
 

Disaster Relief Fund Member Handbook
Disaster Relief Member Handbook - Canada

DUES
Better Data Starts at the Bargaining Table!
We all have things we’d love to see in Aptify, whether it’s something that would help with organizing, COPE drives, or financial analysis. Ultimately, though, Aptify can only show what we receive from the employers.

Below are some of the common items we are missing across our membership.

• Complete Member Info
  • Address
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Clock ID (even if the match criteria is SSN or the unit is small)
  • Work Location/Dept
  • Job Title
• Include Non-Members in reporting
• Submit dues information electronically (for faster processing at HQ)
• Submit payments via ACH instead of paper checks (checks often get lost in the mail)

At your next bargaining, make sure to ask for what you’d like to see!

MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
Training on Using Social Media and Other Communications Tools
Join CWA’s Communications Department for our regularly scheduled monthly trainings on communications tools and strategies. In addition, we have a video library of previous training sessions for on-demand learning.

Check out our training schedule and recordings of previous training sessions here: cwa-union.org/CommsTrainings.

We also want to hear from you about what kinds of communications training would be most helpful going into 2025. Click here to take our survey to let us know!

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It):
New Officers Resources and Information:
cwa-union.org- This is our national website with information about our union. It includes information on how to stay up to date by signing up for email updates and text alerts. It includes webpages for workers’ rights, legislative, politics, jobs, health care, retirement security, human rights, and international solidarity. There are sections on news, upcoming events, and dedicated information for members, locals, and to join CWA. Click here to visit our national website.

CWA Union Operating Procedures Manual (UOPM)- This comprehensive manual is a great guide to help Local officers in navigating our Union’s policies and procedures. It includes topics like the organizational structure, Constitution, Local Officer duties and responsibilities, organizing, Local Finances, Federal reporting, Local meetings, membership database, dues processing, Local bylaws, records retention, strike manual, and so much more. Click here to view the UOPM.

For Locals- Another great online resource with reference materials, contract database, convention proceedings and biennial reports, online communications tools for Locals, forms, materials, databases, stewards training portal, and Local directory. Click here to access information for CWA Locals.

In Unity,

Ameenah Salaam
Secretary-Treasurer