March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the ongoing history, contributions, and influence of women around the world. This week btw honors Sylvia J. Ramos, an important labor union leader. Ramos has spent her entire career protecting workers and fighting for their rights in a changing world. Here, btw takes a closer look.
Labor Unions Today
Labor unions in history fought for many worker rights that we take for granted today. This included the five-day work week and the responsibility of management to keep workers safe. Coal miners and railroad workers led strikes (work stoppages) that sometimes resulted in violence.
It can be easy to think of labor unions as something that belongs to history books. However, unions are still active and powerful in many industries today. They unite workers and use collective bargaining techniques to make sure that those workers are treated fairly and that their rights are protected. One example of a modern challenge facing workers today is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to replace human jobs.
Who is Sylvia J. Ramos?
One labor leader at the front lines of the fight to protect workers from AI use is Sylvia J. Ramos. Ramos began her career at Southwestern Bell, a telephone company in San Antonio, where she served as a bilingual service representative. She was also active with her workers’ union, the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Ramos served on many union committees, and in 1998, she received the AFL-CIO “A Woman’s Place is in Her Union” award. Ramos’ commitment to her union and the rights of workers have never wavered. In 2023, she became the first-ever Latina Chief of Staff at CWA.
An International Labor Leader
As Chief of Staff at CWA, Ramos’s influence has continued to grow. While she leads in many areas, her expertise focuses on raising awareness on the impact of AI on workers. In 2024, she spoke at the UNI Global Union headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to share how workers can best organize to protect themselves from unethical uses of AI. For example, CWA’s negotiated contract states that AI can’t be used to make unfair automated decisions about hiring, firing, or setting pay. Under the CWA contract, Artificial Intelligence can’t be used to cut worker benefits, and it can’t be used to replace human jobs. The same year, Ramos was also invited to a White House roundtable to discuss the effects of AI on labor.
In 2025, she was elected to the position of Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) National President. The purpose of CLUW is to address issues facing women in the labor movement. Ramos will hold the position for four years. She was also selected for recognition by the AFL-CIO in honor of Women’s History Month 2025. Ramos continues to lead the fight to protect workers and labor unions in today’s ever-changing workforce.