The article focuses on the recently concluded Communication Workers of America (CWA) election where incumbent President Claude Cummings Jr. secured a narrow victory against challenger Sara Steffens. While Cummings claimed victory, the article argues that the low voter turnout and the tight margin suggest deep dissatisfaction within the union ranks.
The article highlights that the election was characterized by widespread apathy, with only 40.3% of members casting ballots. This low participation rate is presented as a rebuke to the entire CWA bureaucracy, indicating a lack of faith in their leadership and direction.
The challenger, Sara Steffens, a former CWA Secretary-Treasurer, ran on a platform of reform, promising to address issues like declining membership, stagnant wages, and the union’s perceived lack of militancy. Despite not winning, her strong showing is interpreted as a sign that a significant portion of the membership is seeking change and a more assertive approach from their union.
The article emphasizes that the low turnout and close results reveal a crisis of leadership within the CWA, reflecting broader trends of disillusionment within the labor movement. The author suggests this is due to the bureaucracy’s collaboration with corporations and their failure to effectively fight for workers’ interests.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/08/29/ejad-a29.html