S-T Talk September 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 November 24, 2026, from 3pm - 4pm ET for the S-T Townhall Zoom meeting. Please click here to register to attend the Zoom meeting. 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:
Reimbursement Deadline
Locals please remember that all reimbursements need to be submitted to CWA and processed within 90 days of the event. 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 visit, door knocks, phone banks, etc. Having all supporting documentation will help ensure timely processing.

COPE-COMPLIANCE:
Local LM Filing Deadline (For Fiscal Year Ending September 30th):
Locals with a Fiscal Year Ending date of September 30, 2026, have an LM filing with the Department of Labor due electronically by December 29, 2026.

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 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)

OLMS – Labor Management Standards (Boston-Buffalo District Office) 
The United States Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS), invites you to attend an in-person Compliance Assistance Seminar designed for union officers, staff, and other interested union officials. The seminar will cover Financial Recordkeeping and Reporting, focused on the LM-3 and LM-2 Financial Reports, and Union Officer Elections.
   DATE: Friday, September 25, 2026
   TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
   LOCATION: JFK Federal Building, Room 900A
                         15 Sudbury Street, Boston, MA 02203

To register, please complete the registration form here:

https://forms.gle/sHZ6T4D5EYCZvjLS9. You may submit more than one registration form if you have more than one officer who plans to attend. Attendance is limited to 65 registrants. Please complete your registration by September 21st to ensure we can accommodate you.

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. 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.
2. 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.
3. Dues Summary/Detail by PU & Dues Period - this is the processing specifics for a PU and dues month.
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…

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

APTIFY SERIES: DID YOU KNOW?
Protecting member data starts with how we share it
Did you know that member lists, membership applications, dues files, and other records can contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that must be protected?

What is PII?

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is information that can identify an individual directly or indirectly. This can include name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email address, or union affiliation. Even information that may seem harmless on its own can become sensitive when combined with other details. This applies to nearly all the information stored in Aptify.

When sending files containing sensitive member information, please use an encrypted email or secure file-sharing service whenever possible. If encryption isn’t available, password-protect the document and send the password separately. If you export or print lists from Aptify, take care to store them securely.

It’s often the little things that have the biggest impact. Taking an extra moment to protect sensitive information is a simple way we can show our members that we value their privacy and the trust they place in us. Please review our Sensitive Data Management Guide for more information.

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

MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS:
Stay Informed with the Latest News from CWA!
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):
Payment Addresses - Do You Know What Goes Where?
Now that the demolition and construction in our HQ building is in full swing, we are all working remotely most of the time. As a result, we are trying to reduce the mail volume wherever possible.

Below is our current guide for payments.

Payment for anything billed in Aptify should be sent to:
CWA Billings
PO Box 79901
Baltimore, MD 21279-0901

Please include a copy of the Open Invoices report showing what is being paid, or write the invoice #’s on the memo line of the check.

Payment for a top-down unit that went to the local, or is being paid by the local, should be sent to:
CWA Dues
PO Box 79176
Baltimore, MD 21279-0176

If you know the PU #, pls write it on the memo line of the check.

Payment for CWA COPE made at the local level, or received by the local:
CWA COPE
PO Box 79808
Baltimore, MD 21279-0808

Please include a detailed list of who paid. It should include the CWA ID, full name and amount.

Payment for *anything else* should be sent to:
CWA Misc. Deposits
PO Box 791923
Baltimore, MD 21279-1923

This includes, but is not limited to:

• HQ Conference/Convention Registration
• Return of SIF/GROWTH Fund advance balance
• Closed local bank account closure check
• Expense reimbursement to HQ
• Non-Dues check sent to the local in error

It is *very important* that anything sent to this box includes backup documentation (letter, copy of email/invoice showing payment due, an explanation written on the check stub etc). The Finance Department clerk will not know what it is for, or where to forward payment notification, if you don’t.

Please check the HQ address(es) in your accounting software and update as needed. If you have regular payments for multiple types of things, it may make more sense to remove the vendor address from your system entirely and use pre-printed mailing labels.

If you’re ever not sure where to send something, we are always there to help at duesquestions@cwa-union.org!

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!
   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.
   October 16, 2026 - 12pm ET

DISTRICT/SECTORS Staff Reps - Grievance Management module training sessions
   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.
   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.

OLMS - Compliance Seminar 
The United States Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS), invites you to attend a virtual Compliance Assistance Seminar, designed for union officers, staff, and other interested union officials. The conference dates and times are listed below. These free sessions will cover the following topics:

• Union Officer Elections
• Financial Recordkeeping
• LM Reporting, focusing on the Form LM-2 and LM-3 Financial Reports
• Question and Answer Session

(You may submit more than one registration form if you have more than one officer who plans to attend.)

Dates & Times:

• Thursday, September 17, 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
  To register, please complete the form via the link below:
  https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/9pwUA3tLr8
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 12:00 pm –3:00 pm
  To register, please complete the form via the link below:
  https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/dTgB2ZWCm8

Registration is limited to 1,000 participants per session. If you have any questions or need clarification, you may call the Philadelphia Office at (215) 861-4820 or the Pittsburgh Office at (412) 395-6925, or email us at OLMS.ComplianceAssistance.PHIPGHDO@dol.gov.

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.

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.

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