“Unionizing made me a different person.”

In early 2020, Sante Fe workers at Meow Wolf, an immersive entertainment company, announced their intent to unionize with CWA. Later that year, the Meow Wolf Workers Collective successfully won their union. With bargaining for a fair union contract came positive new changes in the workplace. Less spoken about when talking about unionization is how workers themselves are changed through the process of collectively building power.

“Forming a union with my coworkers at the immersive arts company Meow Wolf wasn’t easy. It was stressful and scary. But we pushed past that fear — and ended up transforming our lives in the process,” wrote Emily Markwiese, a member of the MWWC bargaining team.

This new piece details from Markwiese’s perspective how “unionizing made [her] a different person.” 

“[W]hat is waiting at the end of that tunnel is a significantly better quality of life for you and your coworkers. What is on the other side of that fear is the true meaning of solidarity, when you take a risk for people you don’t know because you don’t want them to go through the things you have gone through. Do not let your fears drive you. You are going to be a different person at the end of this, and that is a precious thing that can never be taken away.”

Are you ready to take that leap? Join other tech, game and digital workers with CODE-CWA.

Join us on Saturday, July 16 at 10am PT/1PM ET for an organizer training, where we talk about connecting with co-workers and union basics. 

Check the CODE-CWA organizer training program for other upcoming trainings!

In a momentous victory for Alphabet Workers Union-CWA (CWA Local 9009) members, Google raters, who were fired for speaking up about their poor working conditions and the danger of faulty AI products, were informed that they will be reinstated and receive back pay. In response to the firings back in May, the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA (AWU-CWA) filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of the workers. The charges alleged retaliation for organizing, a prohibition against discussing said terminations publicly, and threats that wages may decrease with the union. When we fight, we win! Read morehere!

Members of Unite Here Local 11 picketed major Southern California hotels on Monday after walking off the job during July 4th long weekend to demand better pay and benefits. In addition to higher wages, workers want improved health care benefits, higher pension contributions and less strenuous workloads. Read more on Associated Press

AWU-CWA Local 9009 is hiring an organizer in Austin, TX! Want to help workers at Alphabet, the parent company of Google, form, build and grow their union? Learn more details here

Writers on strike continue to stand strong in their fight for fair wages, benefits and workplace conditions. Continue to stand in solidarity with WGA by joining a picket line near you or continuing to amplify their message. Learn more about the strike here

Around 4AM on July 5, UPS walked away from the bargaining table after presenting an unacceptable offer to the Teamsters that did not address members’ needs. The UPS Teamsters Negotiating Committee unanimously rejected the package. Teamsters have made it clear that members will not work past the contract expiration. Read more on Peoples Dispatch and stay up to date on Twitter

By a vote of 88%, Barnes and Noble workers in Park Slope, Brooklyn voted to unionize. “It is time for the industry to open a new chapter on how it treats its workers, and Barners and Noble workers are writing the book.” Read the press release here

July 8, 1966 – Some 35,000 members of the Machinists union began what became a 43-day strike that shut down five major U.S. airlines, about ⅗ of domestic air traffic. At the time, the airlines were thriving, and fair wages were a key issue.

July 9, 2001 – Some 5,000 demonstrators rally at the state capitol in Columbia, SC in support of the “Charleston Five,” labor activists who were charged with felony rioting during a police attack on a 2,000 longshoremen’s picket. 

July 19, 1848 – The Women’s Rights Convention opens in Seneca Falls, NY. Delegates adopt a Declaration of Women’s Rights and call for women’s suffrage.

Working Man's Ph.D. by Aaron Tippin

You get up every morning 'fore the sun comes up

Toss a lunch box into a pickup truck

A long hard day sure ain't much fun

But you got to get it started if you want to get it done.

You set your mind and roll up your sleeves

You're workin' on a Working Man's Ph.D.

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Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, CLC.