Michael V. Barile 
An overwhelming majority of wireless tower climbers at QualTek in Henderson, Nevada, filed a petition last week with the National Labor Relations Board for a union election. The workers, members of the Tower Climbers Union/Communications Workers of America, are the first group of climbers in the United States to apply for formal union representation.
“We call on Qualtek management to work with the Tower Climbers Union/CWA to negotiate a fair contract for climbers,” said Chris Shelton, CWA President. “These workers put their lives at risk every day to maintain the wireless network of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. There is a growing movement among tower climbers across the country, and as hundreds of tower climbers join our union, we are building workplace power to increase wages, benefits and ensure a place to work. safer work.
Dubbed “America’s Most Dangerous Job,” tower climbing involves climbing towers to perform inspections and tests, manage repairs, and install equipment ranging from antennas, amplifiers, and fiber optic cables to lighting systems. The major carriers that build and own the towers often subcontract maintenance work to contractors like Qualtek.
In addition to their work taking place hundreds of feet above the ground, tower climbers must also carry up and down a tower all the tools and equipment necessary to perform their work. The hazardous nature of this work, coupled with the lack of proper training and equipment, has resulted in a number of safety hazards, including worker fatalities and injuries. In the past 5 years alone, 33 fatalities have been reported at wireless tower sites.
“The entire communications industry and its customers depend on tower climbers, and we deserve more than we have received for many years,” said Erik Messenger, a Qualtek worker and member of the new union. “That’s why my colleagues and I at Qualtek have voted to join the Tower Climbers Union/CWA. Our union is just the beginning. Thousands of climbers are ready to stand up and unite. We are thrilled and proud to be part of this movement for better working conditions and better safety.”
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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents workers in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, technology and other areas.
cwa-union.org @cwaunion
