Arizona Labor Dispatch, Vol. 2, Issue 106

This week's Labor Dispatch was authored by Rasean Clayton, who is the Arizona AFL-CIO Maricopa Organizing Specialist and also serves as the President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute—Phoenix Chapter. Rasean has been a member of CWA Local 7050 since 2018, and we appreciate his contributions to the labor community. In the following paragraphs, Rasean will be recognizing and honoring CWA Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam and International President Claude Cummings.

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I would like to recognize recent Black History in the labor community. I had the honor and privilege to work alongside these amazing leaders as part of the CWA Civil Rights and Equity Committee. On July 10, 2023, Claude Cummings of CWA District 6 was elected CWA International President in a runoff election. Making Claude Cummings the first Black CWA International President. Ameenah Salaam, who was an assistant to former CWA President Chris Shelton, was elected by affirmation, appointing her as the first Black Secretary-Treasurer.

President Cummings, a Houston native, started his career in 1973 with Southwestern Bell, now known as AT&T. Being the trailblazer he is, President Cummings isn’t unfamiliar with breaking barriers. He served as President of CWA Local 6222, representing over 8,000 members, and now represents over 45,000 members in CWA District 6. In both roles, he was the first black to hold these positions; talk about history in the making! President Cummings has fought and continues to fight for wage increases, better medical benefits, job security, human and civil rights, and state and federal politics. President Cummings still finds time to host his radio show, “Power to the People,” which addresses labor and politics. President Cummings has a plethora of achievements and accolades that can fill a book.

Ameenah Salaam is a trailblazer in her right. She is a native of Wilmington, Delaware, where she started her career with Diamond State Telephone as a customer service representative. She was elected as a CWA local 13100 steward and served as Vice President of the local until she joined the CWA staff. As an assistant to former President Shelton, she was instrumental in organizing, bargaining, and mobilizing campaigns. As a staffer, Ameenah continuously pushed CWA's core mission forward with effective strategic planning. Secretary-Treasurer Salaam rose through the ranks of CWA, and I personally can say she was and is the glue that held a lot of committees and campaigns together. I have learned a lot from both of these amazing leaders and on behalf of the Arizona AFL-CIO and the A. Philip Randolph Institute, we acknowledge both of your contributions and accomplishments for paving the way for union members, organizers, and activists of color.

In solidarity,
Fred Yamashita
Secretary-Treasurer
Executive Director
Arizona AFL-CIO