History of the

Southern California

CWA Council

  

During the early 1960’s, there was a monthly meeting called for Local Presidents and Chief Stewards.  Purpose of this meeting was to keep each local aware of issues facing our members from the employers.  At this time the only employers were General Telephone (now Verizon) and Pacific Telephone and Telegraph (now AT&T).

 In 1963 a strike against General Tel was started in October and lasted until April 1964.  Locals in the PT&T unit were asked to adopt locals within the General Tel unit.   Because of these activities, the President and Chief Stewards meeting evolved into the Southern California CWA Council.

 In the many years since the formation of this council, many significant events have occurred related to the growth of the Council.  Several National CWA Conventions have been hosted by the Council; many organizing projects have been successful; the level of political actions and legislative gains has increased dramatically; countless seminars and training sessions for our stewards have taken place; hundreds of members jobs have been protected through our Membership Assistance Program; there have been many successful Community Service activities.

 During the 1970’s, the SCC sponsored a program under HUD to construct an apartment complex in Port Hueneme, California.  While we no longer are connected with the project, it reflects the concern the Council has for improvement within our communities.

 The Council has served as a training ground for many who have ascended to higher office within the Locals and within the National Union.

The Council has grown through the addition of new locals and new employers within our jurisdiction.         With the mergers between CWA and other unions, we have been joined in the Council by several other locals outside the traditional “telephone Bell-shaped heads” of AT&T and Verizon.

 The present day SCC is comprised of 17 CWA locals within the geographical area of Southern California.  We have active committees in the areas of Education, Legislative and Political Action, Organizing, Health & Safety, Equity, Community Services, Women and Member Assistance.

 In addition, the Executive Board of the Council includes the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer and board members from AT&T, Verizon, UPTE-CWA and NABET-CWA.

 The goals of the Council are to coordinate and assist in activities of locals during a strike and to educate ourselves in how to better serve the membership of our locals.