CWA Locals in New Jersey Build Power, Install New Officers Alongside Contract Victory

Clockwise from top left: Local 1036 President Adam Liebtag; 1036 shop stewards during a plenary session; District 1 Assistant to the VP Billy Gallagher; training session with 1031 and 1036 shop stewards
 

In late September CWA Local 1036 hosted their own and Local 1031 shop stewards for their annual multi-day Steward Leadership Conference to run through trainings, discuss approaches to building our membership, and tackle common issues in the workplace. Members were joined by CWA District 1 Assistant to the Vice President Billy Gallagher, NJ AFL-CIO President President Charles Wowkanech, State Senator Vince Polistina, and CWA District 1 Political Director Hae-Lin Choi. Stewards from worksites across New Jersey attended workshops on topics including internal organizing, the state of labor, civil rights, labor’s role in making our economy work for working people, and cultural changes in our workplace.

Clockwise from top right: Local 1040 President Michele Long-Vickers taking the oath of office from CWA National President Claude Cummings; 1040 members at the opening plenary session; CWA D1 Assistant to the VP Billy Gallagher speaking to 1040 members; 1040 President Michele Long-Vickers addressing the membership
 

One week later, members and leaders of CWA Local 1040 gathered for their 39th Annual Convention to discuss the business of the union, commemorate their hard work over the past year, install local officers, and celebrate a BIG victory: a historic tentative agreement between CWA and the State of New Jersey for our executive branch workers. The members were again joined by D1 Assistant to the VP Billy Gallagher, as well as CWA National President Claude Cummings who spoke during the closing dinner and helped conduct the installation of local officers, and several other guests including former 1040 President Carolyn Wade.

"I think we have something to celebrate today, don’t we?" said Billy Gallagher during the opening plenary session. "It is my honor and privilege to congratulate you on winning a historic, landmark contract! The strongest, richest, best contract we have gotten in New Jersey in decades. This is all thanks to your relentless mobilization, unity, and dedication."