National Overview:
A Look at the Communication Workers of America

Beginnings     

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is a young union - it was founded in New Orleans in 1938

Size                                                    

CWA is the largest telecommunications union in the world, representing nearly 700,000 workers in public and private sector employment.

Composition                           

CWA members are employed in the telecommunications industry, printing and news media, public service, health care, cable television, general manufacturing, sound and electronics, construction and gas and electric utilities.

Geographic Spread                

There are more than 1,250 CWA chartered local unions throughout the U.S. and Canada.  CWA members live and work in more than 10,000 communities.

Collective Bargaining             

CWA holds over 1,000 contracts.  Among the largest employers are AT&T, the regional Bell operating companies, GTE and other independent telephone companies, state governments, and major newspapers.

Union Democracy                   

CWA holds regular conventions.  Elected rank-and- file delegates attending CWA conventions are the union’s highest policy making body.