Communication Workers of America

The Communication Workers of America (CWA), not to be confused with local chapters like CWA 3611, is a major national labor union in the United States. While the local chapter CWA 3611 is not the focus of this article, the broader CWA is a significant player in American labor history.

Background

CWA was founded in 1938 as the National Federation of Telephone Workers, primarily representing telephone industry employees. It was renamed the Communications Workers of America in 1947, marking a pivotal moment in its evolution into a broader communications union.

History

The union's early years were marked by its struggle to organize and negotiate better working conditions for telephone workers. In the late 1940s, CWA became more involved in the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), eventually joining in 1949. After the merger of the CIO with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1955, CWA became an AFL-CIO affiliate.

Membership and Representation

CWA represents over 700,000 workers in various sectors, including telecommunications, manufacturing, media, airlines, public service, education, and healthcare. The union is structured into more than 1,200 local unions across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada. Major employers of CWA members include AT&T, Verizon, General Electric, leading newspapers, and the state of New Jersey.

CWA's membership expansion has been facilitated through mergers with other unions, such as the Newspaper Guild, the International Union of Electronic Workers, and the Association of Flight Attendants. These mergers reflect CWA's commitment to strengthening workers' rights across diverse industries.

Political and Legislative Involvement

CWA is known for its active role in political and legislative advocacy. It supports progressive policies and has been involved in initiatives like the Democracy Initiative, aiming to advance workers' rights, affordable healthcare, and fair trade practices. The union also contributes financially to Democratic and liberal organizations.

Leadership and Structure

CWA's leadership includes a president and secretary-treasurer who oversee the union's operations and strategic direction. The union operates under a democratic structure, allowing members to determine bargaining goals, elect negotiating committees, and ratify contracts.

Collective Bargaining and Strikes

CWA has a history of negotiating collective bargaining agreements to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members. The union has been involved in significant strikes, particularly in the telecommunications sector, to enforce these rights and challenge major employers like AT&T and Verizon.

CWA continues to play a vital role in advocating for workers' rights in the evolving landscape of communication and technology industries.