News

UNI Global Union extends its condolences and solidarity to the Communications Workers of America (CWA) after President Emeritus Morty Bahr passed away this week at the age of 93.

Bahr was elected CWA President in 1985 and led the union throughout some of the most turbulent years for the communications industry. He made the union a force for working people and ensured that the CWA would continue as an effective advocate for working people across communications, IT and other sectors.

“We will remember Morty warmly for his inspirational work within our global labour movement, navigating some of the most transformative years of the information, communications, technology and other sectors,” said UNI Global Union Deputy General Secretary Alke Boessiger. “He was a visionary leader, who recognized the role of global unions in building power across multinational companies.”

“He successfully introduced innovative bargaining and campaigning strategies and in a time of massive structural change, stepped up the fight for a fairer society. With his work he made an indelible mark on history and lastingly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers, their families and their communities. He will be greatly missed.

“Not only CWA members, but the entire labour movement, lost a giant this week. Morty was comfortable whether he was in the company of Presidents of the United States, in the halls of Congress, or on a picket line," said Chris Shelton, President of the CWA. "He was not only a great president but he was a member's president. Morty loved fighting alongside members in organizing drives and on the picket line almost more than anything that he did as president of this union. He will be sorely missed."

Those wishing to share condolences and memories of President Bahr may do so here. Submissions will be shared with his family.

Further links:

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?fhid=6125&n=morton-bahr&pid=193528295

https://aflcio.org/2019/8/1/cwas-morton-bahr-was-labor-icon

https://cwa-union.org/news/cwa-mourns-passing-of-president-emeritus-morty-bahr