News

  • Aviation Labor Leaders Applaud Bipartisan Majority Push for Extension of Payroll Support Program
    Washington, DC – Leaders of the Air Line Pilots Association, Allied Pilots Association, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Communications Workers of America, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, Transport Workers Union, and Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issue this joint statement applauding 223 bipartisan members of Congress for calling for an extension of the CARES Act Payroll Support Program (PSP) through March 31, 2021. The program, which allocated grants to commercial airlines and airline contractors for the exclusive purpose of keeping employees on payroll with wages and benefits, is set to expire September 30, 2020: “We applaud Reps. Peter DeFazio, Brian Fitzpatrick, Rick Larsen, John Katko, Sharice Davids, Karen Bass, Rodney Davis, and 216 of their colleagues for recognizing the severity of the crisis we face and fighting for the health and welfare of America’s frontline aviation workforce." “Airline industry employment, and the collective skill set and knowledge base held by aviation workers, cannot simply be put back together overnight. As airlines continue to struggle amid the COVID-19 crisis, and demand for air travel remains significantly below last year’s levels, an extension of the PSP jobs program is necessary to avoid massive layoffs in this industry. Without an extension of this program, tens of thousands of aviation workers could find themselves on the unemployment line this fall, causing potentially catastrophic consequences to this industry and our broader economy." “By extending PSP grants, Congress has the power to ensure airline workers will continue to stay on payroll with benefits, prevent mass unemployment in October, and keep aviation workers ready to turn the industry around once this crisis is behind us.” ALPA, APA, AFA-CWA, APFA, CWA, IAM, IBT, NATCA, NJASAP, PASS, SWAPA, TWU, and TTD collectively represent hundreds of thousands of aviation professionals, including aircraft cabin crews, ground crews, ticket and gate agents, aircraft cabin cleaners, pilots, and more. Press contacts:Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA): David Weaver, [email protected]Allied Pilots Association (APA): Gregg Overman, [email protected]Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA): Taylor Garland, [email protected]Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA): Paul Hartshorn, [email protected]Communications Workers of America (CWA): Amy Fetherolf, [email protected]International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM): James Carlson, [email protected]International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT): Galen Munroe, [email protected]National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA): Doug Church, [email protected]NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP): Coley George, [email protected]Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS): Elizabeth Doherty, [email protected]Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA): Chip Hancock, [email protected]Transport Workers Union (TWU): Denise Romano, [email protected]Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD): Jonna Huseman, [email protected] — Jul 28
  • CWAers Participate in National Strike/Day of Action for Black Lives
    On Monday, CWAers across the country participated in a National Strike/Day of Action for Black Lives along with other union members at SEIU, the Teamsters, AFT, and community-based organizations, demanding that bosses and elected officials address the systemic racism that drives economic inequality in this country. Workers are demanding guaranteed sick pay, affordable health care, strengthened health and safety protections for essential workers, and stronger organizing rights for all workers. "At CWA, we know that statements in support of our Black colleagues and Black lives are not enough to dismantle the centuries of racism that have shaped our society and our workplaces," said CWA President Chris Shelton. "We are taking real action, educating all of our members on the importance of this movement and the harsh realities that so many of their Black co-workers face each and every day, and demanding the same from our employers. As this pandemic continues to disproportionately affect our Black colleagues and other communities of color, we are ensuring all members understand that an injury to one is an injury to all." In Memphis, workers held an action to call out AT&T for its contradictory statements in support of Black Lives Matter while the company has failed to protect workers of color from COVID-19. "Our actions here in Memphis are part of a much larger movement to ensure that Black workers are supported and uplifted on the job at AT&T and everywhere else," said Randall LaPlante, and Executive Board member of CWA Local 3806 in Memphis, Tenn. "AT&T continues to spend thousands on ads that portray it as a leader supporting the movement despite its failure to institute policies that protect Black workers. Their lack of action is a disgrace, and we’re here to expose the company for its hypocrisy and demand better from leadership." CWAers across the country participated in a National Strike/Day of Action for Black Lives to demand that bosses and elected officials address the systemic racism that drives economic inequality in this country. — Jul 23
  • CWA Mourns Passing of Congressman John Lewis
    The following statement is from CWA President Chris Shelton: The accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis are legendary. His courage and determination in the face of some of the most brutal racist attacks any person has ever endured inspired generations of activists and leaders, including thousands of CWA members. He truly understood the connection between labor rights and civil rights. Congressman Lewis devoted his life to helping America live up to its highest ideals. He will, of course, be remembered for the leadership he showed and the sacrifices he made as a young man during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. I knew Congressman Lewis as an accomplished legislator who treated me like family and always had time to listen to the concerns of working people. John Lewis is irreplaceable, but we are seeing a new generation of activists rising to defend and carry on his work. In fact, they have distilled it into three simple words: Black Lives Matter. In his memory, we at CWA recommit ourselves to the fight for justice. Read the statement on Congressman Lewis from CWA District 6 Vice President and head of CWA's Human Rights Program Claude Cummings, Jr. here.  — Jul 23
  • Organizing Update
    Dallas Morning News and Al Día Dallas With a strong majority of workers backing the effort, newsroom employees at The Dallas Morning News and Al Día Dallas asked their parent company, A.H. Belo,. to recognize the Dallas News Guild as a unit of The NewsGuild-CWA. The Dallas News Guild would cover more than 100 journalists across all departments of the newsroom. Dave Tarrant, a longtime Morning News reporter, said, “We are under no illusions about the difficulties faced by newspapers today. We believe that by uniting as partners with management, we can keep the paper and its many platforms alive and serve our readers and audiences across Texas and beyond in meaningful ways for years to come.” Send an email to management, demanding they recognize these workers. ### ACLU of Kansas Staffers at the ACLU of Kansas won union recognition on July 20 after management of the organization dropped its anti-union campaign and agreed to allow a neutral party to verify support for the union. The procedure, known as “card check,” showed unanimous support for the ACLU of Kansas United, which will become part of the United Media Guild/TNG-CWA Local 36047. In June, the workers announced their plans to form a union and were stunned when management of the pro-civil liberties organization hired an anti-union law firm to thwart their efforts. Management relented after union supporters mounted a pressure campaign urging the organization to live up to its values. — Jul 23
  • We Must Pass the HEROES Act to Provide Relief to Workers During COVID-19
    The HEROES Act, passed by the House of Representatives in May, would provide much needed relief to state and local government, premium pay for essential workers, paid leave, strengthened OSHA protections, and funding for safer voting in the 2020 elections. This critical legislation would benefit workers across the country, including CWA members. However, the bill has stalled in the Senate, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that he opposes core provisions of the bill like extended unemployment protections and aid for state and local governments. CWA members have made thousands of calls and sent thousands of emails in support of the bill, but we need to ramp up now, especially as cases of COVID-19 have spiked. Call your Senators now and urge them to support the HEROES Act: 1-877-775-9294. On July 16, CWA locals took part in a caravan of about 30 cars to pressure North Carolina's U.S. Senator Thom Tillis to vote yes for the Heroes Act on July 16. (Photo credit: National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA).) — Jul 23