As carriers retire their voice service over regulated copper wires and switch to unregulated voice via the internet, CWA, alongside public interest groups, filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure the public continues to have access to reliable, affordable phone service. Public Knowledge, The Center for Rural Strategies, and CWA are urging the FCC to fulfill its responsibility to maintain a rapid, efficient nationwide and worldwide communication service by recognizing interconnected Voice over IP (VoIP) as a common carrier telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act. Common carrier status for VoIP and broadband has been highly contested in recent decades, mainly in the context of “Net Neutrality.”

Unlike traditional phone technology, VoIP is not broadly regulated by the FCC. The FCC must classify interconnected VoIP as a common carrier or it will forfeit regulatory authority over voice service entirely. Without such authority, the FCC has no oversight jurisdiction over telecom providers to require interconnection on reasonable and justifiable terms and rates, ensure service quality, or maintain reliable 911 service.

Last week, CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. and CWA Local 7250 President Kieran Knutson, along with CWA members from several Minneapolis-area Locals, joined tens of thousands of Minnesotans demanding federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency leave Minneapolis. The city has been under siege with masked ICE agents targeting civilians, abducting adults and children, and at least three fatal incidents, including the slayings of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good, and union ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

During his visit, President Cummings met with CWA Legacy T members from Locals 7200 and 7250 to discuss ongoing bargaining with AT&T. He also spent time with Activision/Blizzard members who are fighting for a first contract. Despite concerns for negotiations, the topic of the ICE Out mobilization dominated members’ comments and concerns. Members expressed a range of emotions, including excitement and pride at seeing CWA taking a leading role in the peaceful protests, anger and horror at the violence brought to their neighborhoods, and defiance despite federal orders to comply.

President Cummings took the stage at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis after a march in sub-zero temperatures. His fiery speech galvanized the crowd, saying, “Political scientists and historians tell us when countries have successfully prevented or reversed authoritarian control, unions have played a critically important role. We do that when we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our union siblings and with allies across the country. We do that when we join together and focus our attention directly on those corporations that enable fascism. Our unity across communities, organizations, and unions is our power. Whatever we do, we must do it together.” Businesses across the city shut their doors in solidarity with strikers and protesters.

Since the ICE Out day of action, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino has been ordered out of Minneapolis, and acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons has been ordered by Chief Federal Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to appear in court over questions of why ICE has denied due process to detainees, the process by which the legality of their residency is determined.

CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. (center) met with members and leadership of CWA Locals 7200 and 7250, including CWA Local 7250 President Kieran Knutson (left) and CWA Local 7250 Vice President Michelle Richardson (right).

Earlier this month, Americans from coast to coast celebrated the life of revered civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His example of perseverance and message of hope for unity resonate to this day. CWA District 4 Staff Representative Diane Bailey attended an MLK award ceremony hosted by the Columbus, Ohio chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), where she accepted the Marlene Hill-Powell Special Recognition Award. Bailey received the award for her outstanding activism and solidarity with economic, political, and social justice groups.

CWA members from Locals 4320, 4501, and 4502, as well as board members for the Central Ohio Labor Council, where Bailey serves as president, turned out to support her at the ceremony.

Congratulations to Staff Representative Bailey for her outstanding work!

Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Mo., CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. spoke at the St. Louis CBTU Chapter’s 46th MLK Human Rights Awards Banquet. There, President Cummings delivered a message of unity to those engaged in the ongoing fight for labor and civil rights, stating, “The truth is, no one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves. We do that when we stand shoulder to shoulder with our union siblings and with allies across the country. We are all in the same boat, all facing the same future, and, win or lose, we’re all we have.”

CWA District 4 Staff Representative Diane Bailey (left) accepted the Columbus Coalition of Black Trade Unionists’ Marlene Hill-Powell Special Recognition Award alongside her granddaughter Johnia Martin.

Last week, research assistants (RAs) at the University at Albany-State University of New York (SUNY) Research Foundation won their National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election with over 98 percent voting in favor of joining CWA. The unit of 214 RAs will join the 4,700 graduate student workers and over 1,300 RAs at SUNY who are already represented by CWA Local 1104. The university took a neutral position, opening the way for organizers to move quickly. Research assistants at SUNY-Binghamton in Binghamton, N.Y., joined CWA through a similar process in 2025.

The majority of these newest members are international students conducting scientific research. Similar work and groups have been targeted across the country for program cuts and possible deportation. Participating in a union drive in the current political climate is a demonstration of their commitment to one another and to bettering the lives of all workers.

SUNY-Albany members will now focus on necessary improvements to their standard of living, safety at work, professional development, and protections as international student workers.

Resident assistants at the University at Albany-State University of New York Research Foundation have run a successful campaign to join CWA.

Last week, following mobilizing efforts by CWA activists who have been advocating to protect good jobs in the video game industry, the Congressional Labor Caucus submitted a letter to the Federal Trade Commission urging Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson to review the proposed acquisition of video game company Electronic Arts (EA). Thanks to the work of CWA legislative activists, over 40 lawmakers signed on to the letter, expressing serious concerns over the impacts the sale might have on workers, labor market concentration, and the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. video game industry.

“Workers in the video game industry are already navigating an environment marked by instability, shrinking opportunities, and repeated rounds of layoffs,” wrote the lawmakers. “EA is one of the largest employers of video game workers in the United States, and evidence suggests the company already wields significant wage-setting power.”

The lawmakers conclude their letter saying, “We respectfully urge the Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the labor market consequences of this proposed acquisition, including EA’s existing wage-setting power, the likelihood of post-transaction layoffs, the degree of labor market concentration in relevant geographic and occupational markets, and the role of cross-ownership in shaping labor outcomes. Workers deserve a fair, competitive marketplace where their skills are valued.”

EA is one of the biggest gaming companies in the world and agreed to a $55 billion buyout to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and private equity firms Silver Lake Technology Management, L.L.C., and Affinity Partners, the latter founded in 2021 by Jared Kushner.

Click here to read the full letter.

Last week, workers at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) won their union election, making them one of the largest green, non-profit groups in the country, with nearly 500 members. Despite significant reluctance on the part of the employer, workers voted 81 percent in favor of joining. The success of this campaign resulted in the formation of the second-largest unit in the Washington-Baltimore News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 32035), known as "EDF Together".

Congratulations to the members of EDF Together! Click here to learn more about their campaign.

Earlier this month, members and leadership at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced the ratification of the CWA/DCCC Staff Union’s (CWA Local 2336) second collective bargaining agreement, which lasts through June 2029. Members voted unanimously to ratify the agreement, which includes wage increases, provides 100 percent employer-paid health insurance, and establishes responsible AI guidelines.

“By raising wages, ensuring access to quality health care, and setting thoughtful AI standards, this contract ensures staff can continue doing their critical work,” said CWA/DCCC Staff Union Bargaining Committee Member Tyler Littlejohn. “We're proud of what we've secured in the second iteration of our collective bargaining agreement and look forward to our continued partnership with the DCCC."