CWA 1150

Published by Administrator on May 22, 2025May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

IUE-CWA Workers Lobby for Unemployment Insurance Protections

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Members of IUE-CWA Local 81201, representing workers at General Electric in Lynn, Mass., visited the State House last week to advocate for critical legislation that would extend unemployment insurance (UI) to striking workers. Their efforts helped spur the introduction of two game-changing bills—S.1319 and H.2168—which would allow workers to collect UI benefits after 30 days on strike.

The legislation addresses a harsh reality: while striking is a vital tool for workers to demand better wages, affordable healthcare, and safer conditions, it often comes at a steep financial cost. If passed, the bills would bring Massachusetts closer in line with states like Washington, New York, and New Jersey, where striking workers can begin receiving benefits after as little as two weeks.

For Tim Lynch, a member of IUE-CWA Local 81201, Lobby Day was more than just a political action—it was a moment of solidarity and real progress. “It was an interesting, fun, powerful experience to be alongside my 201 brothers and sisters representing union solidarity,” said Lynch. “There was a moment—when all the representatives from Lynn agreed to sign on to the bill—where I could feel we were making a difference. There is still work to be done. We are here for it!”

Kenny Linnel, also a member of IUE-CWA Local 81201, added that the day left members feeling hopeful and energized. “Lobby Day was a tremendous success, energizing our members and building crucial legislative support that will strengthen our union’s future.”

Jonathan Kohut, another IUE-CWA Local 81201 member who participated, emphasized the impact of meeting directly with lawmakers. “Lobby Day was inspiring and impactful, creating powerful connections with lawmakers that will help advance the union’s goals and protect workers’ rights.”

As the bills move through the legislative process, IUE-CWA members are continuing to build momentum and push for policies that support working families across the state. Their message is clear—when workers stand together, real change is possible.

IUE-CWA Lobby Day
Members of IUE-CWA Local 81201 visited the Massachusetts State House to educate lawmakers on the benefits of extending unemployment insurance to cover workers who have been on strike for more than 30 days.

NABET-CWA Podcast Workers Innovate with New Audio Union Bug

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Workers on the hit podcast “Snap Judgment” negotiated something unique in their first contract, ratified in early April. NABET-CWA Local 59051 members, bargaining with studio KQED in San Francisco, Calif., won several concessions, including intellectual property rights for creative workers, protections from transfers of work to artificial intelligence and other worker protections, as well as increased vacation time. But the innovative win came with the creation of an audio union bug, acknowledging union labor at the end of every show: “On team Snap, the union-represented producers, artists, editors, and engineers are members of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, Local 51.”

The audio union bug began being broadcast on May 17. This will underscore the NABET-CWA-represented producers, artists, editors, and engineers who make the show possible.

Click this link to listen to the latest episode of Snap Judgment.

Teleperformance Workers Mobilize for National Day of Organizing

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Teleperformance USA Mobilization
CWA members and organizers hold a banner outside of Teleperformance USA headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Last week, workers at 15 Teleperformance call centers and sites across the country joined together in a national day of action with CWA Locals 3104, 3181, 3821, 7603, 7704, 7765, 9413 and 9511, calling on the company to respect the right of its American workers to join a union. The French multinational company provides call center customer service support, debt collection, data security, phone and video language interpretation services, American Sign Language interpreting services, social media content moderation, and more to major global and U.S. companies.

“Teleperformance workers provide critical services to communities and companies across the U.S.A., but are being denied the same union rights as Teleperformance workers in other countries,” said Erin Mahoney, CWA Assistant Director of Organizing. “Without a union voice, these dedicated workers report unsustainable working conditions and pay that can’t support their families. Teleperformance workers and customers deserve better.”

At Teleperformance, the work is often demanding and emotionally draining. Workers report a high level of burnout, leading to increased turnover which can have a negative impact on service quality. Workers are seeking higher pay, affordable health insurance, and other improvements through union representation that will empower them to provide the highest quality of service to customers.

NewsGuild-CWA Members Take Home Major Awards

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Earlier this month, members of The NewsGuild-CWA took home a stunning number of prestigious awards.

Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York (TNG-CWA Local 31003), made history last week upon receiving the NYC Central Labor Council’s Visionary Award. DeCarava is the first president of The NewsGuild of New York to receive that recognition in its nearly 60-year history.

Under her tenure, the NewsGuild of New York has doubled its number of new members, won standard-setting contracts—including for Times Tech, the largest unit of tech workers in the country—and led organizing drives that inspired workers across the country.

Across the country, more than a dozen NewsGuild-CWA newsrooms have earned Pulitzer Prizes for their powerful and essential reporting. Winners included members at ProPublica, The Washington Post, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times—recognized for groundbreaking work on topics ranging from maternal health under abortion bans to the fentanyl crisis and the conflict in Sudan. Finalists spanned even more Guild shops, including the AP, Boston Globe, Seattle Times, and San Francisco Chronicle.

“Congratulations to every journalist and media worker recognized by The Pulitzer Prizes for their contributions to our craft,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “So many union journalists were recognized this year, and being in a union protects you so you can do your job to seek truth and report it. Hardworking journalists and other workers who support them—not bots and AI—are the ones who find and report the news stories we need to understand our world.”

Click here to see the full list of winners and finalists.

Join CWA and Dropkick Murphys at Rally For Veterans

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On June 6, CWA members, retirees, and thousands of veterans and their families will converge on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the “Unite for Veterans, Unite for America” rally featuring the Celtic-punk band Dropkick Murphys.

Our group will meet between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Look for the CWA flag on the grass lawn near the Smithsonian Castle. From there we will walk to the main stage as we rally to defend veteran and military family member employment in the federal workforce, stop the privatization and weakening of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and hold political leaders accountable for policies that harm veterans and their loved ones.

Click here for more information or email info@unite4vets.org.

CWA’S RMC Retirees Keep Our Union Spirit Alive

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CWA’s Retired Members’ Council has more than 60,000 members who come from all Districts and Sectors of CWA. It is led by Gwen Parker, the first woman to be elected as CWA National RMC President. After a long career working in the telecom industry, she retired from BellSouth/AT&T in 2013. The RMC has added 606 lifetime members since she took office in January 2024.

Parker now serves as both the CWA District 3 RMC President and National RMC President. She has unflagging energy and is committed to continuing the fight for CWA members after they leave the workforce. She is assisted by twenty-two Executive Board Members, made up of presidents and vice presidents from every CWA District and Sector.

Though retired, RMC members remain committed to the labor movement and CWA. In a statement from the RMC, they write, “We may be retired from our jobs but not from the life of our union! We work to protect our retiree benefits currently under attack, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug costs. We assist retirees with health benefits and pensions. We monitor federal, state, and local legislation and communicate with retired members to keep them informed and able to support the activities of current and former CWA members.”

To become a member of the RMC, simply follow this link. A one-time $25 payment gives you a lifetime membership, membership in the Union Plus discount program, and additional benefits. Dues-paying CWA Retired Member Council (RMC) members have access to the National Disaster Relief Fund.

You can also follow the RMC on Facebook.

CWA National Retired Member Council President Gwen Parker (right) has overseen an expansion of lifetime members since taking office in 2024. With her are CWA RMC board members (left to right) District 9 RMC President Peg Bissell, District 9 RMC Vice President Foxyne Hinton, and Public Sector RMC President Lisa Kermish.

Find the LiveWell Health Savings Plan That’s Right for You

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Maximize your health savings with exclusive Union Plus savings and become a healthier you! For a limited time, you can save on these essential health services:

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