Author: CWA6210

On May 9, CWA Director of Human Rights, Education, and Health & Safety Angie Wells delivered the keynote address at the University of Iowa Labor Center’s (UILC) 75th Anniversary celebration. The UILC has delivered decades of important worker education to people in Iowa and across the country. Through a strong partnership, CWA and the UILC have been teaching organizing and leadership principles to the international union community since 1967.

Wells gave an inspiring speech, recalling the shared history between CWA and the Labor Center and looking to the future of the fight for worker dignity and safety. Over 200 guests attended the event, which also included recipients of the Labor Center Legacy Awards and additional speakers from across the state of Iowa.

“We are reminded,” said Wells, “that progress has never been given. It has always been fought for and won. Our collective history is not just a record of what has been—it is guiding us toward what is possible.

And the Labor Center reminds us that ordinary people, when organized and united, can collectively achieve extraordinary change. It tells us that even in the face of uncertainty, solidarity is always our greatest strength. And it shows us that the future of work is not something we must accept—but it is something we have the power to shape.”

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union released the following statement in response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) policy change to the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program:

Today, the NTIA has put the interests of a few billionaires and satellite companies ahead of millions of Americans in rural communities and thousands of workers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s attack on approved broadband projects undermines the bipartisan work of the U.S. Congress and the state governments that have invested significant resources in carefully developing programs to bring high-quality broadband and good jobs that meet the needs of their unique communities. 

CWA members know that fiber is the best broadband technology of today and tomorrow. A high quality fiber network is the financially responsible choice compared to expensive and unreliable satellite service or fixed wireless. The NTIA’s policy change confuses upfront costs with long-term value.

In well-considered plans, state broadband boards have addressed the need to develop the workforce to build and maintain network infrastructure, supported by labor standards and training. The NTIA’s elimination of requirements for fair labor practices and workforce development plans will hinder states’ ability to appropriately manage local workforce needs, or to create the good jobs that would have attracted and retained a well-trained workforce.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill made a commitment to rural communities to close the digital divide with high-quality networks and good jobs. Secretary Lutnick has betrayed this promise, and undermined the work and hopes of so many rural residents, workers, and state governments.

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Nine out of 10 workers express support for policies on artificial intelligence that labor unions may fight for

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On May 1, International Workers’ Day, workers at the Gen-Z-led nonprofit organization Florida Youth Action Fund (FYAF) announced in an open letter on Instagram their intent to form a union with The NewsGuild-CWA. They have asked management for voluntary recognition. If management refuses, the workers are committed to undertaking an NLRB election.

These workers specialize in educating and supporting other young activists, providing resources, connections, and funding necessary to run effective campaigns for positive change. According to their letter, FYAF staff formed their union out of concern over recent changes in their workplace. “The economics of the workplace,” they wrote, “do not simply vanish because we are a nonprofit. We should strive to support our staff and to model the truly equitable world we envision for ourselves and our communities.”

You can learn more about FYAF and these members by following them on Instagram.

On May 1, members of the NABET-CWA bargaining team reached an overall tentative agreement with ABC-TV on a successor Master Agreement. This milestone comes more than four months prior to the expiration of the existing contract extension.

The new Master Agreement will include provisions like significant increases in benefit payments for daily hire employees; increased work opportunities for NABET-CWA members on sports productions airing on broadcast networks, cable, and streaming services; and new guidelines and protections related to the use of generative artificial intelligence.

The general economics of the tentative agreement are substantial. General wage increases during the term of the agreement are 3%, 4%, 3%, and 3.75%. These wage increases follow two previous increases negotiated during the contract extension period of 5%, effective April 1, 2025, and 3.5%, effective April 1, 2026.

With information about the deal belonging first to the members, both parties agreed to avoid publicity until members could learn details directly from Local and Sector leadership. NABET-CWA Locals will hold informational meetings about the content of the tentative agreement. Members should be on the lookout for notifications of the dates and times for those meetings.

If ratified, the new contract will take effect on October 1, 2026, and will run through March 31, 2031.

Congratulations, NABET-CWA members!

On Monday, members of CWA Local 2336 at MissionWired voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying their first union contract. MissionWired is a digital marketing and fundraising agency for non-profit organizations and Democratic campaigns based in Washington, D.C., with approximately 136 members in the unit.

“When we started organizing, we wanted a real voice in the decisions that shape our work and our lives. This contract gives us that voice to make sure the tools that we work with every day enhance our jobs, rather than replace them,” said Data Engineer and CWA Local 2336 member Kelsey Evans. “We’re super proud of what we were able to build into the workplace with a first contract.”

The three-year contract guarantees annual wage increases and raised salary bands, protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence, remote work arrangements, and compensatory time for holiday and weekend work.

“After more than two years at the bargaining table, MissionWired workers secured real, enforceable protections on wages, on the use of AI in the workplace, and on the flexibility they need to do their best work,” said CWA Local 2336 President Melissa Smith-Kupihea.

Click here to read the full CWA press release.

Learn more about CWA resources for bargaining AI protections with the CWA Resource Hub on Artificial Intelligence.

Congratulations to our MissionWired members at CWA Local 2336!