IUE-CWA Signs Historic Agreement with Semiconductor Manufacturer and other news

In a significant milestone for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, IUE-CWA, Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, Jobs to Move America, and Akash Systems, an innovative chip-maker, have announced labor agreements covering both construction and production workers, including a historic first-in-the-industry labor neutrality agreement for semiconductor production workers at a new $432 million Akash Systems factory set for construction in West Oakland, Calif. The facility will employ an estimated 500 workers over the next five years, of which about half will be production-related.

Under the agreement signed by IUE-CWA and Akash Systems, production workers at Akash will be able to exercise their freedom to form a union without interference from the employer. The groups plan to collaborate with Jobs to Move America on a strategy to deliver benefits to the West Oakland community, including a workforce development plan encompassing recruitment and training of underrepresented groups.

“As we ramp up semiconductor production in the U.S., companies can choose whether or not to use the sector’s expansion to create high-quality jobs for American workers. Akash has proven that this can be a win-win for everyone,” said IUE-CWA President Carl Kennebrew. “Community-sustaining, good union jobs are essential for the prosperity of America’s semiconductor industry. This agreement with Akash is a game-changer, not only for the hundreds of workers at the new Oakland factory but also for setting a powerful precedent for workers across the industry to unite and elevate standards for these jobs nationwide.”

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su brought workers and business leaders together on Tuesday to discuss the value that worker voice brings to American businesses. Two CWA organizing campaigns were represented in the panel, “The Business Case for Worker Voice,” uplifting the role that agreements committing employers to remain neutral when workers organize a union play in empowering workers and improving retention and training.

CWA member Rhyanna Eichner shared how neutrality agreements improve productivity and problem-solving at Microsoft’s ZeniMax video game studio. “Being able to come to the table in bargaining with a truly neutral employer is a different ballgame. It was a conversation, not a fight,” said Eichner, a member of the bargaining committee at ZeniMax. “One issue that can be bargained over is professional development, which will increase a worker’s capabilities. When workers take advantage of these professional development opportunities, they will be better at their job and the company benefits from that.”

Business leaders in the tech industry are recognizing the benefits of partnering with CWA to give workers a voice on the job. CWAers have used neutrality agreements to improve recruitment, training opportunities, and retention at companies ranging from industry giants like Microsoft to growth sectors like semiconductor chip manufacturer Akash Systems.

Amy Pannoni, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Microsoft, found that the company’s neutrality agreement with CWA “reduced friction. It built relationships with our workers.” Pannoni advised other business leaders, “Think differently about neutrality agreements and respecting your workers’ choice. Bargaining sessions are negotiations, but they are also sessions to learn. I learned a lot from talking to Rhyanna. Think differently. Have a growth mindset and listen.”

Felix Ejeckam, co-founder and CEO of Akash Systems, told the panel, “A lot of folks in tech don’t know what a union can do for them.” Ejeckam recently signed a historic first-in-the-industry labor neutrality agreement for semiconductor production workers. Ejeckam explained to Acting Secretary Su how the agreement with IUE-CWA will help his business grow, recruiting and training hundreds of workers for a new $432 million manufacturing factory set for construction in West Oakland, Calif., that will employ an estimated 500 workers over the next five years.

Acting Secretary Su advised business leaders, “The best investment a business leader can make is in their people.”

“It has been a blessing to work with a company that has committed to neutrality,” said Eichner. “Workers are not scared to lose their jobs, and when they’re not scared, they’re more productive.”

CWA member Rhyanna Eichner (center) joined Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and business leaders from Microsoft and Akash Systems to discuss the value that worker voice brings to American businesses.

In mid-November, CWAers from across the country gathered in Phoenix, Ariz., for this year’s Telecommunications and Technologies (T&T) Leadership Conference. CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. addressed the attendees, highlighting recent bargaining successes and recognizing the contributions of the T&T National Mobilization Committee. “Too many of our best ideas stay locked up in one district or sector,” President Cummings said. “We talk about being one union, but too often we don’t act like it. As your president, I am committed to do more to break down those walls and celebrate our successes.”

Discussing the fight for a fair contract at Avaya, where management has proposed stripping benefits from current and future retirees, President Cummings told the crowd, “We cannot let them get away with it. We are going to mobilize, we are going to get elected officials involved, we are going to explore our legal options, we are going to use every tool in our toolbox to keep what generations of CWA members have fought so hard to win!”

CWA T&T Sector Vice President Lisa Bolton encouraged members to take advantage of the recent increase in support for unions. “Our theme this year is ‘Building on the Basics.’ We have a powerful history, but we cannot remain stuck in the past. Working people – and especially young workers – were transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are refusing to be taken for granted anymore. That’s what the labor movement is all about – fighting for respect, dignity, and our fair share.”

During the conference, members heard from members of CWA’s Next Generation program, attended workshops on mobilization and handling grievances and arbitration, and participated in bargaining unit breakout meetings. CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton, CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arce, Western Region At-Large Executive Board Member Keith Gibbs, and CWA Chief of Staff Sylvia J. Ramos attended the conference and joined a rally in support of Avaya workers.

T&T Leadership Conference attendees rally in support of Avaya workers who are fighting for a fair contract that protects benefits for current and future retirees.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo workers at two bank branches in Albuquerque, N.M., and Bethel, Ala., filed for the bank’s first-ever union elections on Monday. In a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Albuquerque and Bethel-based bankers and tellers declared their intent to join CWA’s Wells Fargo Workers United (WFWU) and take a transformative step towards repairing Wells Fargo’s toxic culture and improving the U.S. financial system.

The union elections, the first at a major U.S. bank in decades, mark a groundbreaking moment for WFWU’s nationwide union drive and financial services workers’ rapidly growing fight for a seat at the table. Even as Wells Fargo executives attempt to push back against the union effort, workers across Wells Fargo divisions and geographies are seeking to reform the banking industry from the bottom up in order to create a better financial system for workers and customers alike, starting with Wells Fargo, the scandal-ridden bank with a notoriously toxic culture.

“Wells Fargo workers in every state, division, and department need a voice on the job for ourselves and our customers. I’ve worked at Wells Fargo for nearly 10 years, and in the seven years since the fake account scandal, three CEOs have promised change and failed to deliver. Now it is finally our turn to lead,” said Sabrina Perez, a Senior Premier Banker at Wells Fargo’s Albuquerque branch. “We are joining together in a union in order to improve Wells Fargo’s culture and move the bank towards a brighter future where workers and customers are treated equitably and with respect. While we are the first Wells Fargo workers to file for union elections, we will not be the last. We invite all our colleagues to reach out and join our movement. Change is possible, and we all deserve to have our voices heard.”

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CSU UCW-CWA Colorado

This week, campus workers at Colorado State University (CSU) voted to affiliate with CWA Local 7799, marking the addition of the newest chapter of United Campus Workers-CWA Colorado. These new CWAers are graduate and undergraduate workers, professionals in administration, faculty (including tenure track, non-tenure track, and adjunct professors), and postdocs. With its wall-to-wall structure, the CSU UCW-CWA Colorado chapter will welcome all campus workers, regardless of position, to build power, increase raises, and improve the benefits and working conditions for everyone working at the university.

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More Organizing News

Over the past month, workers have joined CWA at Education Week and Rising for Justice (Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild, TNG-CWA Local 32035), The Guardian and Journal Pioneer newspapers (CWA Canada Local 30130), Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (United Media Guild, TNG-CWA Local 36047), Google Help (Alphabet Workers Union-CWA Local 9009), and Wisconsin Watch (Milwaukee Newspaper Guild, TNG-CWA Local 34051).

With states due to submit their plans for distributing broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) by the end of year, members of CWA’s Broadband Brigade and local activists have been busy pushing for high labor standards to ensure the job is done right.

CWA District 3 Broadband Lead Keith Busby, a member of Local 3611, represented CWA members at the U.S. Broadband Summit in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Speaking to an audience of state and local government officials and broadband providers, Busby shared information and shocking photos about the consequences when low-road contractors are used for broadband buildout instead of well-trained, experienced CWA members. Later in the conference, a Verizon executive cited Keith’s presentation to emphasize the importance of using skilled workers with safety training for broadband projects.

Broadband Brigade member Keith Busby from CWA Local 3611 (left) discusses the importance of high labor standards with attendees at the U.S. Broadband Summit following his presentation.

In Arizona, members released a new digital advertisement featuring CWA Local 7019 member William Cody. He explains the importance of using well-trained local workers for broadband infrastructure projects and encourages viewers to ask state officials to devise high-quality broadband deployment plans.

CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister noted, “Over 30 percent of Arizona households do not have access to high-speed internet, limiting residents’ ability to access essential services, such as telehealth, and the opportunity to stay connected in the digital age. This record funding is an opportunity to change that, but the money is only as good as the labor standards the state chooses to establish. By committing to a highly trained, local workforce that we know will build reliable broadband that will stand the test of time, we can also open the door to good, family-sustaining jobs for thousands of Arizonans in underserved communities.”

Earlier this month, 22 new CWA staff members graduated from Staff School at the University of Iowa. Many of the new staff previously served as local leaders and activists. CWA’s Staff School provides training to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to serve our Union in their new roles.

Participants deepened their skills in a number of areas, including strategizing in mock negotiations and arbitration and facilitating education for union leaders. In addition to the University of Iowa Labor Center educators, participants received training from experienced staff from across our union. New staff also had the opportunity to hear from President Claude Cummings Jr., Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam, and Chief of Staff Sylvia J. Ramos, who engaged them in open Q&A discussions.

New CWA staff members celebrate their graduation from Staff School at the University of Iowa.

The CWA Store now offers new items including Retro Satin and Puffy jackets, Mobility, Broadband, and Convention Theme shirts and many clearance items. New departments now available include AFA-CWA, United Campus Workers-CWA, and NewsGuild-CWA. Shop early for timely holiday delivery at cwastore.org.