News

From the Vice President’s Desk: October, 2025

07 Oct, 2025

Dennis G. Trainor speaking at CWA rally in 2016

We’re in the Midst of a Generational Fight for Our Freedoms; Our Solidarity Matters Now More Than Ever

In this year’s CWA National Convention — the 80th in our union’s great history — Delegates voted overwhelmingly to pass Resolution 80A‑25‑06, a commitment to stand together and fight back against the forces attempting to chip away at our rights (or remove them wholesale).

Throughout history, unions have been at the forefront of fighting not just for our own rights and our own livelihoods, but fighting back against the rising tides of tyranny and consolidations of power; fighting back against those individuals who believe their own desires to be greater than the needs of our society as a whole; fighting for human rights, safety, and wellbeing as a whole.

As a lifelong union man, this is a legacy that I’m very proud to hold. It’s also one that puts a target squarely on our backs whenever bullies and wannabe-dictators rise to power and seek to make themselves even more powerful. And we’re seeing those tides rise once again.

Stripping millions of federal workers of their unions; firing millions more
Gutting minimum wage protections and overtime pay regulations
Dismissing members of the National Labor Relations Board and weakening the board, making it harder for us to organize or to enforce our contracts

When unions are strong, this country is strong; when our power is stripped and our ranks are reduced and our solidarity is broken, it’s that much easier for the ultra-rich and those wannabe-dictators to build their own power, hoard wealth, and punish anyone who stands in their way.

We cannot stand by and allow our rights and freedoms to be stripped away. As Resolution 80A-25-06 states, “We cannot put our heads in the sand and hope that this authoritarian movement just blows over in the next few years.” The resolution resolves that we will stand strong together, educate one another, grow our union membership, strengthen our political power, defend free speech and the press, and defend human rights for all.

This is not an abstract or rhetorical mission — we can take concrete steps together each and every day, and I encourage every CWA member to get involved, on whatever level you’re able to. Talk to one another, read about the rising attacks on unions, get more involved with your CWA Local. Join a march or rally to add your voice to the millions calling out attacks on our freedoms.