Organizing Updates and Victories - May 2023

SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry

New members alert! On May 3rd the Research Assistants at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) voted to join CWA by an overwhelming majority, 53-1! 

SUNY ESF workers announced in March their intention to join CWA, and have been ramping up their mobilization and organizing efforts to put pressure on the university administration to address their demands for better working conditions and a union.

Despite the essential role they play, these workers have been saddled with severe economic hardships resulting from low pay and burdensome student fees, as well as poor working conditions, including lack of affordable and adequate healthcare coverage, workplace harassment, and being overworked without additional compensation.

They’re joining a strong group of over 5,000 graduate workers at universities throughout the SUNY system, as well as Fordham University graduate workers who joined CWA last year, making up the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU)-Local 1104.

Broadband Organizing Training

Ten CWA members from Locals 1101, 1103, 1109, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1126 were hosted in Syracuse, NY last week at the Local 1123 office for a two-day training on organizing in the telecom world. With over a billion dollars in State and Federal funding being allocated to New York for broadband buildout, CWA is working to ensure that the money goes to highroad, union companies - and CWAers are taking this opportunity to help organize non-union telecom workers.

During the organizing training members discussed the new funding and how it will impact the broadband landscape in New York, discussed strategies for engaging with non-union workers, and practiced organizing conversations to break down barriers and encourage more workers to join CWA so we can strengthen our union and our fellow workers.

Local 1120 Rallying for Poughkeepsie Workers

On April 26th, CWA Local 1120 members rallied to support workers at The Landing in Poughkeepsie, a senior living community. The 60+ workers are organizing to join Local 1120.