On June 18, over 3,000 CWA members, retirees, elected officials, local leaders, and allies rallied in Trenton at the New Jersey State House Annex, calling on state leaders to confront New Jersey’s healthcare affordability crisis. Members took their case directly to legislators, calling on state leaders to lower costs without shifting more of the burden onto workers, retirees, local governments, and families. Members have been visiting the capitol over the last several months to speak to lawmakers and to provide testimony on the healthcare issue. They have also made calls to legislators and spoken to reporters to share personal stories of the impacts of untenable healthcare costs.

“When public workers stand up and fight for affordable healthcare, we’re not only fighting for ourselves,” said CWA District 1 Assistant to the Vice President Bill Gallagher from the podium. “We are part of a larger movement, a movement to change the healthcare system that puts profits over people. A movement that says ‘affordability matters’.”

Ralliers called on state leaders to adopt practical reforms, including stronger oversight of healthcare vendors and carriers, real transparency in pricing and drug costs, Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform and competitive bidding, and claims audits to root out waste. Above all, members called for fixing the State Health Benefits Plan so it stays strong, affordable, and sustainable for the workers and retirees who depend on it.

In an op-ed run at news site nj.com on June 17, CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor wrote, “The message is simple, and other states have already written the proof: New Jersey can have quality, stable, affordable public health coverage and a sustainable bottom line.”

Click here for more details about the rally.

 
CWA members, retirees, and allies joined elected officials and local leaders in Trenton, N.J., to demand the state use the tools at its disposal to end the current healthcare affordability crisis.

On Monday, June 15, members of NABET-CWA working at ABC-TV ratified a new Master Agreement. The new contract will go into effect on October 1 and run through March 31, 2031.

The new ratified Master Agreement covers broadcast technicians, newswriters, producers, and desk assistants at various company network and TV station operations in New York; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; and San Francisco.

The new contract guarantees wage increases of 3%, 4%, 3%, and 3.75% over the next 4 years, the highest wage increases in a 4-year contract in more than 30 years for these members. The contract also includes improvements to how travel time is calculated, new rules to stop stagnation on the pay escalator, and guardrails regarding how generative artificial intelligence (AI) will affect members. This is a particularly important subject right now for our graphic artists and newswriters, but it will protect all of our members moving forward as AI usage becomes more widespread.

“NABET-CWA and the ABC network Locals involved are proud of the many contractual enhancements we’ve achieved in negotiations with ABC-TV,” said NABET-CWA President Charlie Braico. “The upgrades to wages, benefits, and travel provisions will directly improve the lives of our daily hire and full-time staff members significantly. Our union solidarity and determination have proven once again that when we stand strongly together, we win, for members and for workers across the board.”

Last week, AFA-CWA-represented Flight Attendants at Horizon Air voted 99.8% to authorize a strike at the wholly-owned Alaska Air Group regional airline. The vote is the result of seriously delayed bargaining and months of outrageously low economic proposals from Horizon management.

“We have dedicated our lives to Horizon and the communities that we serve,” said Lisa Davis Warren, president of the Horizon chapter of AFA-CWA, representing 650 Horizon Air Flight Attendants. “We are simply asking for the pay, benefits, and improvements we have earned. But Horizon management seems uninterested in resolving this dispute or showing the slightest concern for frontline workers who can’t afford rent or other basic life necessities.”

Their demands include living wage pay increases; increased pay for time at work, including while boarding the plane; better benefits; and work rule improvements.

The right to strike is triggered when the National Mediation Board (NMB) declares that negotiations are deadlocked and releases both parties into a 30-day “cooling off” period leading to a strike deadline.

Last week, in a mail ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), workers at Coforma voted overwhelmingly to join CWA. These workers handle digital engineering and design for government services, including those conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service’s e-filing system.

Workers cited concerns over possible layoffs, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence, and wanted a say in decision-making, clearer evaluations, and standardized pathways to promotion. To show their determination, workers coordinated a messaging campaign to send thanks and words of encouragement to a coworker who faced disciplinary action after voicing support for the union effort in a department meeting. The union has filed an unfair labor practice suit with the NLRB.

Many workers also signed a statement, delivered to the CEO, with a demand for recognition and a “vote yes” pledge before mail voting began.

“Our organizing committee worked hard having conversations with coworkers, listening to their concerns, and running a strong campaign,” said Principal Design Researcher Julie Pedtke. “I'm proud to be part of a growing labor movement at this inflection point for the tech industry, modeling more accountable and inclusive ways of working and showing others what's possible.“

Congratulations to these new CWA members. They will now join CWA Local 1103.

CWA Tuition Assistance Program

CWA/NETT has partnered with Edvance to offer the Union College Benefit powered by Edvance—an education benefit that gives CWA members and their families access to affordable, fully online college programs from accredited schools.

Members and families can now visit edvancecollegebenefit.com/cwa to explore over 200 degree and certificate programs across seven accredited schools, get matched with a recommended program, and connect with Edvance’s dedicated Student Success team—all at no cost to explore.

What members get:

• Up to 40% off tuition on 100% online degrees and certificates;
• Personalized guidance from program exploration through enrollment;
• Eligibility extends to member spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, and dependents;
• A fully managed service—Edvance handles all member support and questions.

Click the link to begin exploring the possibilities!

Earlier this month, the AFL-CIO hosted its 2026 Convention in Minneapolis, Minn., attended by numerous union affiliate delegates, members, retirees, and supporters. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Fred Redmond, both re-elected to their respective positions, vowed to continue the fight for the working class through an ambitious set of goals, including a commitment to turn out 16 million pro-union voters and to organize two million more workers into unions.

At a Unity Summit held on Saturday, June 6, CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. provided a keynote address regarding the dismantling of the landmark Voter Rights Act by the U.S. Supreme Court via its recent Louisiana vs. Callais decision. CWA Chief of Staff and Coalition of Labor Union Women President Sylvia J. Ramos also participated in a panel discussion titled “WE ARE: Solidarity. Expanding Labor’s Reach Through Constituencies” during the Unity Summit.

Said Cummings, “Labor activists are mobilizing in support of one another and organizing workplaces across the country. We are opening doors to sustainable wages and safer working conditions for millions of workers. But, more than this, we are defending our shared values of equality, fairness, and justice. And we are fighting for what matters most to us.”

 
CWA Chief of Staff and Coalition of Labor Union Women President Sylvia J. Ramos (above, in pink) joined other panelists at the AFL-CIO Unity Summit in Minneapolis, Minn.

The convention’s official kickoff happened on Sunday, June 7, with a tribute to Minnesota Labor and all the union members who were involved in efforts to protect immigrant workers during the violence of “Operation Metro Surge,” where federal agents targeted lawful, legal residents, detained union members, and killed two U.S. citizens.

During the AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention, our delegates included CWA President Cummings, CWA Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam, CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton, CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister, CWA Southeast Region At-Large Diversity Executive Board Member Vera Mikell, CWA Central Region At-Large Diversity Executive Board Member Reggie Small, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson, NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss, and CWA Public, Healthcare and Education Workers (PHEW) Vice President Margaret Cook.

 
CWA delegates to the AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention celebrated union solidarity at the 2026 AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention.

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CWA President Cummings (right) joined other labor leaders on stage for a panel discussion titled “Civil Rights are Human Rights.”

During the convention, other CWAers spoke out, including PHEW Sector President Cook, who took Virginia Governor Spanberger to task for betraying working people by vetoing pro-worker reforms. Treasurer for the United Video Game Workers (CWA Local 9433) Sherveen Uduwana spoke on a panel highlighting organizing efforts, lifting up work in the video game industry, and the successes of their direct-join program. AFA-CWA Secretary Treasurer Dante Harris addressed the convention about Delta Flight Attendants’ campaign to organize with AFA-CWA.

Members of the Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) hosted an information table for convention attendees. Volunteers at the table included CWA Local 7250 Activision Stewards Emily Danko, Paul Carter, and Kara Fannon. CWA Local 7250 President Kieran Knutson also took a shift tabling.

CWA joins our AFL-CIO allies in our determination to continue the fight for workers.

Click here to learn more about our legislative agenda and what it will mean for working people.

While in Minneapolis, Minn., for the 2026 AFL-CIO Convention, CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. stopped to honor the memories of two Americans whose lives were cut short in senseless acts of terror. Cummings visited George Floyd Square, the site where Floyd was murdered by then-police officer Derek Chauvin, and also paid respects at the memorial to fallen veteran, union member, and Veterans Affairs intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, killed by federal agents while protecting peaceful protesters.

Last week, CWA District 9 members and retirees won a hard-fought victory over the state’s controversial Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 9. CWA activists made phone calls and lobby visits in opposition to the measure, alongside allies from several California Central Labor Councils and the State Federation of Labor. Both ally organizations sent letters to the committee opposing the bill.

The proposed legislative measure, introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, sought to alter the structure and oversight responsibilities of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

CWAers and our allies beat back an attempt to pack the commission, expanding it from five seats to nine seats and shifting appointment powers away from the governor by adding appointment powers to the state senate and assembly. It also would have removed telecommunications regulation authority from the CPUC and would have opened the door wider for substandard satellite service to replace long-lasting fiber.

“We must be involved in the legislative and political process at all levels of government, by shaping legislative outcomes that affect CWA District 9 members' rights and protecting Californians,” said CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arce. “I'm proud of the work CWA District 9 members and retirees did to stop ACA 9. This is our win!”

CWA political activism has paid off in many races across the country as we build momentum toward the November midterm elections. Members and retiree activists made phone calls, sent text messages, and visited worksites for pro-worker, pro-family candidates. Here are some highlights from recent wins.

CWA District 1

The primary season was very good for CWA-endorsed candidates winning roughly 71% of New Jersey’s competitive primary races. CWA members who ran for Democratic nominations and won include CWA Local 1037 member Leonard Luciano for Essex County Commissioner in N.J.’s District 4 and CWA Local 1036 member Belinda Fontanez for Mayor of Pemberton Township.

Click here for a detailed breakdown of CWA political wins in District 1.

CWA District 2-13

Thanks to a concerted effort of phone and text message campaigns and worksite visits in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, our endorsed candidate, Bob Brooks won the primary and will now face antii-worker representative Ryan Mackenzie in November.

CWA District 3

IUE-CWA and CWA District 3-endorsed candidates Charles Booker (Kentucky, U.S. Senate), Morgan McGarvey (U.S. House), Craig Greenberg (Louisville Mayor), and Nima Kulkarni (Kentucky House) all won their races.

In Louisiana, CWA turned out to help our own CWA Louisiana Legislative and Political Coordinator and President of CWA Local 3404 Shawn Jones win his seat on the Slidell City Council.

IUE-CWA (CWA District 4) 

Our IUE-CWA members in CWA District 4, most represented by IUE-CWA Local 84755, ran and won seats on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. Winners include Local 84755 members Demetria Hodges, Angela Newland, Sha'eon Garrett, Carla Clay, Stacey Reynolds, and Ida Hamilton.

IUE-CWA activists organized, knocked on doors, talked directly with voters, and showed the power of grassroots campaigning, even standing in the rain for hours on Election Day.

One powerful example was Demetria Hodges, who faced two opponents and campaigned tirelessly, saying, “If I don’t win, it’s not from lack of trying.” Their success sent a clear message that when everyday people step up, organize, and fight for representation, democracy grows stronger.

CWA District 6

In Texas, several CWA members have won primary races and are now on their way to battle in the midterms. Winners include members of the Texas State Employees Union (TSEU-CWA) Local 6186: Maggie Ellis for the Texas Supreme Court; Kyle Rable for the U.S. House, District 19; Pooja Sethi for the Texas House, District 47; James Talarico for the U.S. Senate; Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor; incumbent Mihaela Plesa for the Texas House, District 70; and incumbent Lauren Ashley Simmons of both TSEU-CWA Local 6186 and CWA Local 1180 for the Texas House, District 146.

Click here to read more about Texas union-led political power-building!

On June 6‒7, over 70 CWA members across 13 union-represented Microsoft studios gathered in Orange County, Calif., for a mobilization training on how to secure strong contracts across Microsoft, one of the largest companies in the world. CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arce opened the meeting with words of encouragement.

As part of the Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) effort, over 4,000 Microsoft workers have chosen to form a union with CWA.

CWA members were grouped in pods to discuss and plan six-month escalation calendars in their respective units, heard from various CWA members across CODE-CWA and CWA District 9, and filmed member interviews with the CWA Communications Department.