Duwaine Walker

CWA LOCAL 1040 - UNION PRESIDENT

Elect

01 / 06

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Let's move our union

forward together!

About Duwaine

For more than three decades, my work has been guided by something bigger than job titles or positions: service, family, and a deep belief in the dignity of working people. I have been a union member, public servant, supervisor, advocate, father, and leader, but through it all, my heart has remained in the same place: with people. My purpose has always been to help others feel protected, respected, and heard.

My journey began with the City of Newark’s Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, where I provided building maintenance services and operated the Zamboni at the Ironbound Recreation Center’s ice rink. That work taught me early on that service is not always spectacular. Sometimes it is opening a building, maintaining a safe space, lending a hand, and doing the quiet work that allows families, children, and communities to come together.

On weekends, I helped support overnight camping trips and summer activities at Camp Watershed, as well as ski trips that gave young people a chance to explore experiences beyond their communities. Those moments stayed with me. They reminded me that true leadership starts with care, patience, presence, and the willingness to serve even when no one is watching.

After six years with the City of Newark, a director wrote in my evaluation, “Tap his in-charge capabilities.” I never forgot those words. They helped me recognize the leadership others had already seen in me. In 1995, I moved into supervisory roles in the private sector, beginning at Freeze DBA/Div. of Central Mills in Edison, New Jersey. There, I overseen maintenance operations, supervised 21 warehouse employees, taught OSHA Train-the-Trainer forklift operations and warehouse safety programs, and managed Right-to-Know compliance. Even then, my focus was not only on getting the job done, but on helping people work safely and confidently.

President Walker’s Vision

My ultimate vision is to work tirelessly to build an army of well-trained stewards and proficient branch leaders so that our members have a strong voice, real protection, and trusted representation at every level of the workplace. I believe that when we invest in people, strengthen our worksites, and build a culture of unity, we create a union that is prepared to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

I also plan to organize the unorganized because membership is the cornerstone of our success.
As someone who worked his way from Union Steward to President of a Local, I have an in-depth,
first hand understanding of how this union functions from the bottom up, from branch grievances to administrative matters.

Since taking on the role of President in April, I have begun implementing my vision by conducting two interactive training sessions on grievances that branch leaders and stewards have raved about. In preparation for the NJ State contract, I have participated in preparatory meetings for the State of NJ contract negotiations and revamped CWA Local 1040’s Viewpoint. This publication highlights what is happening in our union through the lens of the CWA Triangle: Representation, Organizing, and Movement Building, to enhance communications within our Local. I have also directed and pushed for Unity Days at our worksites and branches and supported several community-based initiatives that help less privileged individuals in our communities.

This is only the beginning of my commitment to building a stronger, better-prepared Local 1040—one where every steward and branch leader has the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to defend our members, organize our worksites, and move our union forward together.

Duwaine Walker
President,
CWA Local 1040 Union

Education & Special Recognition

Duwaine attended Kean University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in public administration. He also holds a master’s degree in law and governance with a concentration in regulatory compliance.
In addition, he completed a graduate-level certificate in workplace conflict management at Montclair State University,
with coursework in arbitration, negotiations, and the legal aspects of human resources.