Worker Power Update

CWAers Fighting for Broadband Access and Good Jobs Win Big in New York, Speak Up About the Need to Prioritize the Public Good

CWA activists across the country have been fighting for rules and regulations that ensure that companies who use taxpayer funds from stimulus packages such as the American Rescue Plan to expand broadband access pay prevailing wages, follow strong labor standards, and create more good, union-represented jobs. In New York, CWA members, who successfully mobilized for the inclusion of strong labor protections last year, won a major victory by playing a key role in Verizon’s winning bid to work with Onondaga County to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved locations. CWA supported Verizon’s bid because it hires a highly skilled and well-trained union workforce and has a proven track record of delivering high quality, reliable fiber broadband service. This means more work for CWA members in Central New York.

In addition, Britni Cuington, a CWA member and fiber technician at AT&T, spoke at an event with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, along with representatives from Americans for Financial Reform and other labor organizations, to discuss how we can leverage public money for the public good by moving away from a Wall Street-driven economy and toward one that works for all communities. “As a proud member of CWA and a leader with our broadband brigade, my priority is to advocate for public investments to help working families. Right now, we're working hard to ensure that states start using the funding from the bipartisan infrastructure bill to expand internet access to all and provide quality services by hiring skilled union workers. As funds from the investment bill passed by the Biden administration continue to roll out, states must now set firm labor standards that work in the interests of the public, not Wall Street,” said Cuington.

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CWA Arizona State Council Endorses U.S. Senate Candidate Ruben Gallego

CWA’s Arizona State Council endorsed Congressman Ruben Gallego for the U.S. Senate. Throughout his career, Rep. Gallego has been a steadfast supporter of working families and the labor movement. He has done a phenomenal job in Congress representing the interests of CWA members and working people throughout the state. He has been aligned with CWA in the fight for protecting call center jobs, labor law reform, raising wages, and supporting broadband buildout and against unfair trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He has proven time and time again that he will fight for the rights of workers to organize and have a voice on the job. He is also a staunch supporter of legislative efforts to lower the cost of prescription medication and expand access to Medicare. Arizona deserves a Senator like Rep. Gallego, who has a proven track record of championing the rights of everyday working people and standing up to wealthy special interests who seek to exploit workers for profit. Read more here.