S-T Talk - September 2025

September 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 November 25, 2025. Be sure to update your email in Aptify so we can send you the Zoom invitation. During our next Town Hall, Susan Sumara from our Dues Department will provide instructions on identifying cash dues payers and the process to collect dues payments.

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.

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 - 12pm 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:
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.

Helpful Tips for Preparations:

• Not all accountants have experience with labor unions and LM reports. If you plan to use an accounting firm, contact them early to discuss your needs, due dates, and the dates they need you to provide information to them.
• Don’t wait until the last minute; reconcile the local’s books monthly.
• Require documentation for every disbursement made.
• Assign sections of the report to separate individuals to work on.

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)

IUE Labor Organization Bond
The IUE Labor Organization Bond is set to expire on January 1, 2026. Compliance will automatically renew the bonds at their current coverages, unless a local requests an increase or decrease.

To calculate the bond amount required per Landrum-Griffin, please use the following formula:

        (Total Assets + Total Receipts) x 10% = Amount of Coverage Required

If, after calculations are complete, you find your local would like to make a change, please contact cwamail@cwa-union.org. Include your name, position at the local, phone number, current local mailing address, and the new amount. We will review your request against our records to ensure compliance with the Department of Labor and Landrum-Griffin, and if we find that the request is valid, the new bond coverage amount will go into effect on January 1, 2026.

DUES
Top Five Reports to Check Every Month on the Local Portal
The reports below are HQ’s suggestions to keep you “in the know” with your membership and dues finances. By monitoring the information on these reports, you can easily keep track of processing, dues payments coming in or that need to go out, as well as where follow-up or analysis of your membership may be needed.

1. Settlement Detail by Settlement Date - this shows the detail of what was paid to your local for a settlement date. No info? You didn’t get a settlement for that date.
2. Dues Summary/Detail by PU & Dues Period - this is the processing specifics for a PU and dues month.
3. Unpaid Dues by Period - this shows you who didn’t pay dues for a particular month and if HQ took per cap or not. It allows you to quickly follow up with the employer(s) about why and update Aptify statuses where needed.
4. Open Invoices Report - this shows what you owe HQ for bottom-up invoices, materials invoices etc
5. My PU’s Report - this gives you all the details regarding your unit setup and status. If there are issues with processing, you will see it in the “Dues Import Error” column to the right.

Runner Up…

1. Unsettled Report - this shows you what has been processed but not paid to your local yet. It can help with projecting your cash flow because it shows what will be paid on the next settlement.

FINANCE
Local Reimbursement Deadline
Did you know you have 90 days to request reimbursement for expenses?

All Local expense reimbursements must be submitted to your District/Sector/Division for processing prior to 90 days of when the work was completed. Also, when submitting reimbursement requests, please make sure that a detailed business purpose is included. All invoices need to have details that tell who, what, why, when, and where, and have copies of materials, flyers, ads, etc. If it is for lost time, make sure to include the date and hours worked, what message was relayed, and what activity was done, worksite visits, door knocks, phone banks, etc. Having all supporting documentation will help ensure timely processing.

It is important to make this a priority, especially for SIF and Growth fund project reimbursements, since these projects have defined funding time limitations.

MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
Make sure your members are receiving the CWA Newsletter and other communications!

CWA’s weekly newsletter helps keep members informed about everything happening across our union. Encourage your members to visit cwa.org/signup to sign up.

Members can also receive weekly text messages from CWA with information about discounts and other UnionPlus benefits that are available to them by texting PLUS to 49484. Message & data rates may apply. Recurring messages. Visit cwa.org/sms for Terms & Conditions and cwa.org/privacy for Privacy Policy.

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 how 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