Jeffrey A. Rechenbach
Secretary-Treasurer
Jeff Rechenbach's recent speeches and appearances are available online
Jeff Rechenbach was elected CWA Secretary-Treasurer by acclamation of delegates to the union’s 2008 convention.
As CWA secretary-treasurer, Rechenbach is responsible for managing the finances and physical facilities of CWA. He serves on the union’s three-member executive committee as well as on the strategic planning and budget committee which allocates CWA’s resources and sets program goals. He oversees the CWA government affairs operation and the union’s retiree program.
Rechenbach has been a leader in the union since 1973, when he was elected president of the 2,000 member Local 4309 in Cleveland at age 19. He joined the CWA staff in 1981, and in 1994 became vice president of CWA for District 4 – Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. As vice president Rechenbach coordinated all bargaining within the district, which included contracts covering workers in telecommunications, manufacturing, higher education, health care, media and other sectors.
Formerly, as CWA's Executive Vice President, Rechenbach headed the union’s Telecom Office, and, working with CWA’s officers and vice presidents who represent telecom members, develops policy and strategies to address a changing industry.
As the VP Rechenbach also oversaw CWA’s political and legislative programs. Under his leadership, CWA’s active political program had the union taking the lead in key 2007 elections, including Virginia and Kentucky, as well as playing a critical role in the 2008 national and presidential elections.
Rechenbach, with CWA’s top officers, has been working to advance important legislative initiatives to support CWA families, restore true workers’ rights and rebuild the middle class. These include passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, health care reform, tax fairness, a national policy to promote high-speed Internet and more.
Rechenbach serves on Federal Communications Commission Consumer Advisory Council and on the boards of the Council for Adult and Experimental Learning (CAEL) and the International Labor Rights Fund, which works for humane workplaces around the world and to end child labor, forced labor and other abusive practices.
He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.
