Resolution #80A-25-08
International Solidarity
CWA has a long standing commitment to global labor solidarity, supporting and fighting for the dignity and respect of workers both at home and abroad. Our commitment has been more than symbolic; it’s been concrete and strategic.
Through joint organizing efforts, information sharing and partnership with unions and global labor federations, we are building a united front to resist the global race to the bottom. We share intelligence, coordinate campaigns and amplify each other's struggles. CWA fully embraces that we are stronger when we as workers stand in solidarity across borders.
Now more than ever, global labor and worker solidarity must be central to our movement. Corporations continue to outsource to countries with weaker labor protections, creating a “race to the bottom” in labor standards, wages, and working conditions, all while aggressively suppressing international workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. This global corporate strategy directly impacts CWA members through job offshoring, erosion of benefits, and downward pressure on wages.
According to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), 2025 was one of the worst years on record for labor rights. The ITUC’s human rights index showed declining conditions in most regions, with Europe and the Americas recording their worst scores since the Index began in 2014. Across the globe, authoritarian, right-wing governments have escalated their attacks on labor by criminalizing union activity and restricting civil society. These governments recognize that in their efforts to trample on the civil and human rights of marginalized and persecuted people and to violently silence dissent to their racist and pro-corporate policies, that labor unions are often a pillar in efforts to fight back and stop those attacks.
And our international trade agreements continue to prioritize corporate profits over worker fundamental rights.
Under the Trump Administration, the United States abandoned international forums that protect worker interests and slashed funding for global labor rights programs, including cuts to the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), the Department of State’s human rights initiatives, and the National Endowment for Democracy.
In particular, the dismantling of USAID has weakened the international labor movement by cutting off support for unions in developing countries and removing a key player in the fight for international solidarity and accountability. Gutting these resources has emboldened authoritarian regimes, weakened unions, and left workers more vulnerable to exploitation and violence.
The Trump Administration has also turned a blind eye to abuses of human and labor rights by regimes engaged in deadly wars in which they have violated basic humanitarian protections, including Russia’s attack on Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza following the horrific October 7th attacks. As countless civilians have died in Gaza as a result of these attacks, our government has failed to act to protect human life or to ensure that journalists have access to safely do their jobs providing information on the humanitarian situation. Instead, the Trump Administration has cracked down on freedom of speech and has pushed employers, including universities, tech companies and media organizations to do the same and undermine our rights on the job in the process. CWA has called for an end to the siege in Gaza, demanded a cease fire, release of all hostages and unhindered delivery of much needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.
CWA’s legacy is built upon the belief that when one group of workers is attacked and human rights are violated anywhere in the world, all workers are threatened. The struggles workers face require a united global response. By strengthening our international labor ties and defending programs that support worker rights worldwide, we can build a world where no worker is left behind.
Resolved: CWA reaffirms its commitment to global labor solidarity and will continue to support the work of our international labor federations like UNI Global, IndustriALL, International Federation of Journalists, the International Transport Workers Federation and others to coordinate the fights for our common goals and to create a global economy that helps lift up all workers.
Resolved: CWA recognizes the vital role that USAID and similar agencies play in promoting global labor solidarity and advancing the interest of the US labor movement and will work to ensure the full restoration of USAID and all international labor rights programs, institutions, and independent agencies that defend workers’ rights, investigate labor and human rights abuses and lift up international labor standards.
Resolved: CWA urges the Trump Administration to prioritize the strengthening of workers’ rights through trade and foreign policy and oppose any effort that seeks to rollback protections for workers worldwide.
Resolved: CWA again demands an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and that all steps are taken for the immediate and unhindered delivery of critical humanitarian aid to Gaza. In addition, we join the calls for a permanent two state solution for the region and as such demand that the U.S. Government join the list of countries that have formally recognized a Palestinian state.
Resolved: CWA Locals recognize the need to support global organizing efforts and again commit to supporting the Eduardo Diaz Union-to-Union International Solidarity Fund through voluntary funding at a minimum of $0.10 per member per year as outlined in the resolution adopted by the 62nd CWA convention.