For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Joe Diggs of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and National Treasury Employees Union, AFGE.
Joe Diggs joined CWA Local 2300 in 1985 and went on to become a steward at Local 2300 and later CWA Local 2323. During his 12 years of working for the phone company, he earned his bachelor’s degree in labor relations from the University of Maryland. After 12 years, four strikes and two winning organizing campaigns, Diggs left to work for the National Treasury Employees Union. Then he joined AFGE, where he worked for 25 years. During that time, Diggs served CWA Local 2385 as a staff representative and contract negotiator. Diggs volunteered to start a chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute in Phoenix.