S-T Talk July 2026

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

QUARTERLY LOCAL S-T TOWNHALL ZOOMS:
Please join us on August 25, 2026, from 3pm - 4pm ET for the S-T Townhall Zoom meeting. Please click here to register to attend the Zoom meeting. Mark your calendars for November 24th, from 3pm - 4pm ET, to ensure that you do not miss any of the S-T Townhalls in 2026.

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

FINANCE:
Does your Local have financial policies?
Financial policies are detailed plans that outline the rules and operations of the Local’s finances. They can cover a variety of areas, including:

1. Financial controls: Policies and procedures to prevent or detect fraud and accounting errors, such as account reconciliation and double-counting cash deposits.
2. Roles and responsibilities: Clarifying who is responsible for making financial decisions and management activities.

Each Local should have written Financial Control Policies that cover the following areas:

1. Cash Disbursement Policy
2. Cash Receipts Policy
3. Travel Reimbursement / Credit Card Policy
4. Salary and Allowance Authorization
5. Lost Time Policy

For a more detailed explanation of each of the above-referenced items click here.

Reimbursement Deadline
Locals please remember that all reimbursements need to be submitted to CWA and processed within 90 days of the event.

DUES:
CWA Special Convention and Petition Referendum Update:
On June 1, 2026 at the CWA Special Convention, the CWA Delegates overwhelmingly approved a motion to rescind and revoke the 2025 CWA Convention dues resolution. The Secretary-Treasurer’s office is pleased to announce the following updates for APTIFY and per capita dues:

1. Effective July 6, 2026,

a. APTIFY will return to its pre-2025 resolution state, which will allow Locals to make member/non-member/agency-fee-payer status changes. One exception is the changing of a status from member/active/pending to member/active/active or agency-fee-payer/active/pending to agency-fee-payer/active/active. Because these statuses will result in the charging of per capita dues it is recommended that you force the processing of dues authorization to flip this status simultaneously with the commencement of per capita dues. If you want to change these pending statuses to active with no collection of dues, email your request to duesquestions@cwa-union.org and it will be done by the dues department. Make sure to include the CWA ID, Full Name, and the Effective Date.

b. Dues processed as of July 6, 2026, per capita dues owed on active members/agency-fee-payers will be taken from the Locals overall dues payment.

c. To identify members/agency-fee-payers who owe dues and avoid paying for per capita dues for members/agency-fee-payers with INCORRECT statuses, Locals are encouraged to pull their “Unpaid Dues Report” in APTIFY monthly to:

  i. Update statuses and/or request adjustments (up to 18 months) by emailing duesquestions@cwa-union.org

  ii. Collect outstanding dues owed from active members/agency-fee-payers (no refund/adjustment needed because the local is going collect the dues)

2. Effect on prior per capita dues and billing invoices are as follows:

a. September 2025 - November 2025 Dues Months:

  i. In order to comply with the 2025 CWA Convention resolution, while APTIFY programming was being developed
and tested, manual per capita dues refunds were done by the dues department as Local adjustments.

  ii. Locals were billed invoices for all active members/agency-fee-payers who did not pay dues and the Local
owed per capita dues for. The billing amounts were the same as the total refunded to each local.

b. December 2025 - February 2026 Dues Months:

  i. No manual per capita dues refunds or per capita dues billing invoices were given to the Locals because the dues department had not finalized the manual adjustments. This means that these months were treated under the process prior to the resolution. If locals requested corrections for any of these months, those have been completed by the dues department as Member or Local adjustments. Nothing needs to be done here to bring into alignment with the 2026 Special Convention action.

c. March 2026 - June 2026 Dues Months:

  i. APTIFY programming to comply with the 2025 resolution had been implemented during this period and per
capita dues were not withheld for those that did not pay dues.

  ii. Locals were billed via invoice for all members/agency-fee-payers who were in a billable status at the time of processing. These invoices are still due and adjustments can be requested by emailing duesquestions@cwa-union.org. Make sure to include the CWA ID, Full Name, Dates of Refund and Effective Date of any change in status. If you have a lot to request, please export the Billing People by Order ID report and add your information to the far right side. There is no need to send and email for each person.

Please note: the months above are guidelines only and will apply to the vast majority of units processed between the August 2025 Convention and the July 2026 Special Convention. Due to the timing of processing, some units with months other than what is shown may have been handled under the 2025 Convention resolution process between April 7th and June 30th.

The Secretary-Treasurer’s office appreciates your patience as we transition back, and we look forward to working with you and the employers to make this process better for everyone.

APTIFY SERIES: DID YOU KNOW?
Filtering and Sorting in Aptify and Microsoft Excel

You can quickly find the information you need in both Aptify and Excel by using filtering and sorting tools. Filters allow you to narrow down records or data to display only what's relevant, while sorting helps organize information alphabetically, numerically, or by date. Whether you're reviewing member records in Aptify or analyzing spreadsheets in Excel, these features can save time, improve accuracy, and make large datasets much easier to manage.

Need a refresher? Learn more with our step-by-step sorting and filtering documentation and a short instructional video to help you get started or brush up on these handy features. Check them out and discover how a few simple techniques can make your daily tasks faster and easier!

If you have any questions, please email AptifySupport@cwa-union.org.

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 UnionHall? The platform is free and we provide phone and email support. No tech skills are required and we can help you migrate an existing website. 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 by submitting a support request.

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

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It):
2026 CWA Annual Training Schedule: Level Up Your Skills!

Our 2026 training calendar is now available with packed sessions designed to make your work smoother and your skills sharper! Whether you’re new to Aptify or just need a refresher, we’ve got you covered.

Aptify & Dues Process | 3 hours
New to Aptify? This comprehensive session will teach you the ropes and guide you through the dues process with
confidence.
   September 18, 2026 - 12pm ET
   November 6, 2026 - 12pm ET

Bottom-Up Dues Process Refresher | 1.5 hours
For those who already know Aptify—this refresher is designed for users familiar with our bottom-up dues structure.
Get a solid review to keep things running smoothly!
   July 17, 2026 - 12pm ET
   October 23, 2026 - 2pm ET

Grievance Management Module | 2 hours
Discover the Aptify Grievance Management Module! This tool will simplify the grievance process, from filing to resolution. With easy, web-based access, you can handle collective bargaining agreements, deadlines, and documents all in one place. Perfect for local, district, and sector users! LOCALS (Stewards/Local Rep/Local Officers)- Grievance Management module training sessions
   August 7, 2026 - 12pm ET
   October 16, 2026 - 12pm ET

DISTRICT/SECTORS Staff Reps - Grievance Management module training sessions
   August 21, 2026 - 12pm ET
   October 20, 2026 - 12pm ET

Microsoft Excel Tips for Aptify Data | 1.5 hours
Want to get the most out of your Aptify data? Join us for an Excel crash course! You’ll learn the best tips and
tricks for navigating and optimizing your data like a pro.
   August 28, 2026 - 12pm ET
   November 20, 2026 - 12pm 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.

Free downloadable CWA Materials items available in the CWA Learning Lab! You now have the opportunity to browse and download select CWA Materials resources for free! This option helps you save on printing and shipping costs while giving you instant access to materials you can easily share with your members.

To get started, log into Aptify and click CWA Learning Lab in the top navigation menu. Then, click on the CWA Materials Downloadable Items module to view the full list of available resources. You can read more details HERE and reach out to AptifySupport@cwa-union.org with any questions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Local Officers Resources and Information:
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.

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

In Unity,

Ameenah Salaam
Secretary-Treasurer