The following statement is from CWA President Claude Cummings Jr.:

CWA mourns the passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a warrior for workers' rights and civil rights. CWA members have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Reverend as we fought to protect the vote in Alabama, or on picket lines and campaigns going back decades.

Rev. Jackson understood that the fight for civil rights is also a fight for the right to organize, to bargain collectively, and to share in the prosperity that working people create. Jackson spoke out for the dignity of every working person who demanded a fair share-not welfare-for their labor. He called on the nation to see that racial justice and workers' rights are inseparable and that true freedom requires economic opportunity for all.

As union members, we honor Jackson's legacy by recommitting ourselves to the work he championed: building solidarity across all races, regions, and immigration status to ensure that every worker is treated with dignity and respect; and defending the vote against any politician who would try to take power away from the American people.

We extend our deepest condolences to Rev. Jackson's family, friends, and all who were touched by his leadership.

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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

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