Claude Cummings, who has served as an at-large member of the Executive Board of the Communications Workers of America since 2007, has been elected Vice President of CWA District 6, representing workers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

Cummings was president of CWA Local 6222 representing more than 4,000 members. He was first elected president of the local in 1999; prior to that he had served as Vice President and held other leadership positions in the local.

A leading voice in local and state politics, Cummings worked for passage of a state law to enable AT&T to provide video services to customers. He also served as a delegate to past Democratic National Conventions. He is a longtime community activist, supporting and directing civil rights efforts in the region, United Way contribution drives, community religious events, and other community and civic campaigns. 

A leader in the Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church, Cummings is Chairman of the Deacon Board and a member of Choir, Brotherhood, and Male Chorus.

Cummings joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1973 (now AT&T) and has worked as a Frame Attendant and Communications Technician, maintaining systems for NASA, among other corporate customers.
 
He is married to Ruth Cummings; they have three children: Kenyetta, Katrina and Claude III, and six grandchildren, Laura, Ale`ycia, Yuri, Deiondre, Briana, and Jillian.

Sylvia J. Ramos
Assistant to Vice President
512-330-0871
sramos@cwa-union.org

Sylvia started her career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1981 in San Antonio, Texas as a Directory Assistance Operator.  In 1984 she worked as a Service Order Writer and in 1997 accepted a transfer to SBC Business Billing as a bilingual Service Representative.  She became a Job Steward for CWA Local 6143 in 1982 and was elected to various positions: Chief Steward, Vice-President, and Executive Vice-President.  Sylvia chaired the Organizing and Mobilizing Committees for her Local and was responsible for the Advanced Union Education of the membership.  She led the first Southwestern Bell Mobile Telephone Company organizing campaign to a successful victory.  On September 7, 1998, she was recognized by the AFL-CIO when she received the "A Woman's Place is in Her Union" award.  Sylvia was elected as the AT&T State Strategist for Texas and held that position until she was appointed CWA Staff Representative in Dallas, Texas.  While in Dallas she was assigned to chair numerous bargaining committees such as ABT, Tyco, Verizon Select Services, AT&T Broadband, Comcast, Time Warner, Southwest Electric, and Southern Foods.  She also was involved in numerous organizing campaigns including the Cingular and AT&T Wireless campaigns.  In January 2009, Sylvia was assigned to the Austin Staff office where she was selected to assist in SBC Bargaining.  On July 25, 2011 she was appointed Assistant to the Vice President in Austin, Texas.  Sylvia has three children, Jason, John, and Jacquelyn Nicole.

Ed began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in January 1971 as a Cable Splicer’s Helper in Kansas City, Kansas. He then became a Cable Splicer and Station Installer. In 1975 he transferred to Cable Repair Technician in Mission, Kansas. In 1986 he transferred to an Air Condition Specialist, a title he held until his official retirement from SBC in March 2002. Ed came from a strong union household becoming a Job Steward in 1975 and was elected to the Local 6325 Executive Board in 1987. In 1990 he became President of Local 6325 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was appointed as the first CWA/SBC Benefits Representative for District 6 in 1998. In 1999, Ed was appointed CWA Representative in the Kansas City Staff Office. As a CWA Representative, Ed was assigned to assist in SBC Bargaining in 2001 and 2004. He also chaired Sprint Midwest negotiations in 2003 and 2006, and several other smaller Collective Bargaining Agreements. He was a Democratic Precinct Committeeman from 1995 until 2003. In June 2006 Ed was appointed Area Director, Central and South Texas, located in the District 6 Office in Austin, Texas. In 1999 Ed earned a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Human Resources from Ottawa University, KC. He then began working toward a Master’s Degree in Human Resources. He acquired a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Human Resource Management from Ottawa University KC in July 2004. Ed is married to Kathy and they have five grown children, three boys and twin daughters, and six grandchildren. 

After earning a degree in Business Management, Mark began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1978 as a Supplies Attendant in Hannibal, Mo. During his career with the Company, Mark has also held titles of Station Installer, Installer/Repairman, Cable Repair Technician, Customer Services Technician and Systems Technician, which remains his current title. Except for the 6 months he spent in Hannibal at the onset of his employment, Mark has been a member of CWA Local 6314. He was a Steward for the Local from 1981 until his election as Vice President in March 1987. In November 1996, Mark was elected President of the Local and continued serving in that capacity until his appointment to a CWA Staff Representative position in October 2000. During his years with Local 6314, Mark also served as picket captain; strike director and chairperson of both the Organizing Committee and the Legislative Committee. He also served as Vice President of the Missouri Political and Legislative Committee. He was elected 3 times as a member of the CWA Bargaining Committee to negotiate with SWBT and has served on other Bargaining Committees as well. Mark also served as President of the Sedalia Federation of Labor, a central labor council of the Missouri AFL-CIO, for over 10 years. In 1981, Mark married his lovely wife Beverly. Together, they have 2 children, Justin and Kimberly. In March 2009, he was promoted to Area Director, and assigned to the District 6 office in Austin, Texas.

I began working with Southwestern Bell Telephone in 1976 in Rockport, TX as a summer help Installer-Repairman. While attending my third year at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX, I was offered a position as an Installer-Repairman in Kenedy, TX in December 1977. A year and a half later, I transferred to Corpus Christi, TX as a Cable Splicer. I was a cable splicer for 22 years then transferred to the rehab group as a Customer Service Technician. I have been a proud CWA member since my first day on the job.  I became Union Steward for the construction group in my work center in 1997. In 1999, I was elected as 1st Vice-President for Local 6137 and in 2003 I was elected Secretary-Treasurer. In December of 2005, I was elected President and served in that capacity until my promotion to CWA Staff Representative, Kansas City, MO in December 2007.  I served for two years on the Safety & Health Committee for District 6. I have served in many other volunteer leadership roles in my community and have been involved in many political campaigns. I served for 12 years on the Gregory-Portland School Board, in my hometown of Portland, TX, five of those years as an officer.  I was President of the Coastal Bend Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO for four years and two years as District 5 Vice-President, on the TX AFL-CIO Executive Board.  I have been married to my wife, Carmen, for 30 years. She is a school teacher and an AFT member. We have four sons. Charles Patrick and Michael Paul, both work for AT&T in Austin, TX and are CWA members. John Paul is a University of Texas graduate who works for Country Fresh Foods in Dallas. Our youngest son, Nicolas Salome, graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word, in San Antonio, in December 2007. We also have a beautiful four year old granddaughter, Mia Milan, and a new grandson, Nicolas Enrique, born 1/13/08. I am devoted to doing a great job for the CWA membership, and look forward to my new responsibilities!

Stephanie hired on with AT&T in 1990 after completing a B.A. in English from the University of Texas, San Antonio in 1990.  Being the grandaughter of a member of The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and a member of the Texas State Employees Union, joining CWA was a given.  In 1998, she moved to SWBT as a Service Representative in Houston, Local 6222 and later became a Revenue Management Representative.  She became an elected Chief Steward and worked on the Women's and Legislative Committees.  In 2003 she transferred back home to San Antonio and continued to be an active job steward.  Stephanie was appointed by the Local 6143 President to serve as Education Director and Parliamentarian.  Soon after, she established the Local's Women's Committee and in 2007 was asked to serve as the AT&T Loaned Executive to United Way of San Antonio.  In 2008, Stephanie was asked to serve as CWA Congressional District 23 Coordinator and worked tirelessly to help win the historic elections.  She is the mother of 2 children, Timothy and Rajani who are well known for helping Mom with picket duty and block walking.  She strongly believes in educating, not only CWA members, but the community about unions and their importance.

Donna began her career with Southwestern Bell Telephone in April 1971 in El Paso, Texas, as a Long Distance Operator.  She later held positions of Supplies Attendant and Service Representative.  In 1983, Donna was elected Department Vice President - Marketing for CWA Local 6733.  She served 2 terms as Local President before her CWA Staff Representative appointment in January 2000, in Dallas, Texas.  Donna has a son, Wayne Snow, who is employed by AT&T Dallas and is a member of Local 6215 and a daughter Mandy, currently a Veterinarian student.  She also has two grandsons, Patrick and Tyler.

Graduated from University of Houston in 1990. Majored in Business Commerce. Presently employed by CWA as a National Staff Representative. CWA is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC), and the UNI. Also Jerrell held the following positions at Local 6222 in Houston, Texas: Vice President, Bargaining Delegate, Convention Delegate, Exevutive Board Member, Director of Organizing, CWA Blood Drive Coordinator for Houston Market Area, Director of Equity, AFL-CIO Legislative Delegate and Director of Education. Jerrell is married and is the father of one child, Jerrell Bernard Miller, II. Previously, Jerrell was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone COmpany from 1978-2001 and held the following titles: Operator, Service Technician, PBX Installer, Customer Serivce Technician, Cable Splicing Technician, and Network Center Technician.

Guy began his career with Southwestern Bell in March of 2000 as a Service Representative in Lubbock, Texas; he later held the title of Cable Splicer. Prior to becoming a CWA Staff Representative, Guy was the Local Vice President of 6203, where he also held the titles of VP for landline, Chief Steward for construction and Legislative Director. Guy also served on the Executive Board of the Texas-AFL-CIO. Guy served on the 2009 Bargaining Committee. Guy is married to Rachelle and they have one child, Brooklyn.

AJ started his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone in Mission, Kansas as a Clerk in the business office, in 1981. In 1989 he became a Service Representative, still in Mission, Kansas. In 1983, after the strike, he was made a job steward for Local 6327. He was elected Vice President-SWBT for Local 6327 in 1984 and served in that position until 1997. He held numerous positions within the Local, such as; chief steward, steward, organizer, mobilizer and member of various committees. He also earned his Bachelor's Degree from St. Mary College in 1995. In July 2000, he was appointed Staff Representative in Dallas, Texas and later transfered to the Kansas City Staff office in January 2001. A.J. lives in Pleasant Hill, Missouri with his daughter Claire.

Jason Vellmer started his career with SBC in 2000 as a Network Center Technician in St. Louis, MO.  He served as Vice President-ASI in Local 6310 and later in Local 6300, until his appointment to the position of Staff Representative.  He also served as a Steward, Mobilization Chair, Legislative Chair, Community Services Chair, MPLC Executive Vice President, CWA St. Louis City Council Legislative Coordinator, United Way Campaign Organizer, Jobs with Justice Sustaining Member, and North County Labor Club Board Member.  Jason comes from a union background.  His grandfather, James Luetkemeyer, served as a Steward for CWA Local 6310.  Jason attended college at ITT Technical Institute where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering and, upon graduation, was awarded Salutatorian.  Jason gives a special thanks to everyone he served with on the 6310, 6320, and 6300 Executive Boards, and for the support he received in achieving his goals.  He is strongly committed to the members of CWA and rebuilding the Labor Movement.  Jason lives in the Kansas City area with his wife, Danielle, and kids; Caleb, Jacob, and Isabella.   

Bill began his career with Southwestern Bell in December of 1968 as a Frameman, he also has worked as an Installer, Installer-Repairman, and then as a Linemen until he became a CWA Representative.  Bill served as a Steward, Chief Steward, Vice-President and was elected President of Local 6402 in 1987. He served as Local President until he was appointed as CWA Representative in May of 1991 in St. Louis Missouri. Bill also served on the Board of Directors for United Way, Board of Directors KANSEL, Executive Board Member Wichita-Hutchison Central Labor Council, Delegate to the Labor Federation, Board of Directors, Plaindealer, President of the Kansas Council. Bill has bargained many contracts which include, Southwestern Bell Wireless, Sprint, Mark Twain Rural, Southwestern Bell, CenturyTel and others.  Bill has three children Jason, Rusty and Robyn. He also has two grandchildren Christopher and Charles Grant.

Mike was appointed to a CWA Staff Representative position in 2004.  He served on the 2004 CWA Bargaining Committee during negotiations with SBC.  Mike served as a Job Steward and Chief Steward for over 20 years and currently a dues paying member of CWA Local 6320.  He retired from SBC in 2005 and is an active member of the Greater St. Louis CWA Retirees Club.  Mike lives in St. Louis with his wife and their two children.