In Milwaukee, CWA Local 4603 is the result of many individual workers from many areas coming together for the benefit of all. In the beginning, Local 4603 was actually 6 different plant (telecommunications network) locals, all part of the Telephone Guild of Wisconsin Division 23. The Guild was in turn part of the National Federation of Telephone Workers (NFTW). The NFTW, formed in 1938, was the first national union to represent telephone workers.
During national contract negotiations between the Company (AT&T) and the NFTW talks became deadlocked, resulting in the great strike of 1947. This was the first nationwide strike of telephone workers. Unfortunately, because of the lack of structure and discipline in the NFTW, the strike proved to be a disaster and fizzled out. Bargaining units were free to make their own deals and go their own way.
Back in Milwaukee, and led by installers, the outside plant locals had begun to merge. With the rest of the Union, they learned a tough lesson in the 1947 strike. United we can bargain, divided we can only fail. The experiences of the 1947 strike also led the NFTW to become part of the Communications Workers of America. Other separate Locals, such as Traffic and Data Processing, voted to become part of CWA in Milwaukee. Starting with Madison, the Commercial (Service Representatives) Units were also organized in a hard fought, office-by-office battle. Local 4603 currently represents members in many of the different departments at AT&T, including those employed at Company owned cellular stores throughout Wisconsin.
Come back on Wednesday to learn about the members of CWA Local 4603.
