Communications Workers of America. Local 1150 (New York, N.Y.)

The jurisidiction of CWA Local 1150 has shifted somewhat over the years since its founding in 1951, but its basic purpose had been to represent long-distance operators, maintenance workers and clerical workers employed by AT&T in the New York metropolitan area. Through the period covered by this collection, half or more of all Long Lines (long distance) workers were women. The New York Local was (and is) divided into three sections: Traffic (operators), Plant (installation and maintenance), and Adminstrative (clerical and engineering).

Despite a rigorous (and often unpaid) training period, high stress on the job, low pay, and little opportunity for advancement, telephone work was historically well-regarded by women. The industry in the 1920s and 30s was characterized by a young female work-force with a high turnover rate and little solidarity or interest in union organizing. A period of intensive organizing in the late 1930s produced a New York Long Lines Local of more than 9,000 members, affiliated with the National Federation of Telephone Workers and later with the Federation of Long Lines Telephone Workers. The FLLTW soon reconstituted itself as the American Union of Telephone Workers, a federation of nine New York area locals. Growing sentiment in favor of a genuine national union resulted in the formation of the CWA in 1946-47. After a brief period as Local 1 of CWA Division 10, in April 1951 New York Long Lines adopted its present title of CWA Local 1150.

The years from 1950 through the 70s saw a quickening pace for innovation and automation in the communications industry. The 1950s brought Electronic Switching Systems and wider use of co-axial cables, microwave communication and data-processing machines. In the 60s, Direct Distance Dialing and communications satellites were introduced, and the 70s brought laser and fiber optics technology. Although the ultimate effect of these changes was to be a drastically reduced Local membership, Local 1150 was able to win substantial gains during the first decades of its existence. Wages, working hours and seniority rights were improved, and the Local negotiated military service leaves and an overtime equalization plan that were models for the industry. In 1952, a Local 1150 grievance resulted in the creation of a new title, Assistant Engineer, the highest-paid title in the Bargaining Unit. Major national CWA strikes in 1971 and 1974 resulted in an agency shop agreement and a national contract.

Automation and restructuring have posed persistent threats to the vitality of Local 1150. Between 1971 and 1977 both Long Lines headquarters and most Administrative workers were relocated to Bedminster, NJ. In 1983, the huge International Operating Center in Manhattan was closed. Other important changes were a direct result of the court order for AT&T divestiture, which took effect January 1, 1984.

From the description of Communications Workers of America, local 1150 records, 1939-1989. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 607231639