Members of the Communications Workers of America have been wearing red every Thursday for more than three decades. As part of the CWA, it’s a tradition The NewsGuild proudly upholds.
We wear red to honor the memory of Gerry Horgan, the beloved chief steward of CWA Local 1103, who was struck and killed by a car that was driven into a picket line he was walking on Aug. 15, 1989. He was 34 years old.
On the day of his funeral, thousands of red-clad CWA members lined the route to the church, stretching more than a mile.
A cable splicer for New York Telephone, Horgan was striking for better working conditions and fighting efforts by management of NYNEX to force workers to pay part of the cost of their health insurance premiums.
He was survived by his wife and two young daughters.
To this day, CWA members, including Guild members, wear red to show that we remain forever united in the fight for justice for working people.
In October 2021 The NewsGuild updated its logo and swapped blue and gold for red to reflect the strong relationship we have with CWA and the entire labor movement.
Read more about Edward Gerry Horgan.