Applications are now being accepted through April 30, 2014, for the CWA Joe Beirne Foundation’s annual scholarship offerings for the 2014-2015 school year.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors has approved the awarding of fifteen (15) partial college scholarships of up to $3,000 each, and the winners also will receive second-year scholarships for the same amount, contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement.

CWA members, their spouses, children and grandchildren, including the dependents of retired, laid-off, or deceased members are eligible for the scholarships.  Applicants must be high school graduates or high school students who will graduate during the year in which they apply.  Undergraduate and graduate students returning to school may also apply.

Applications will be available solely online for completion and submission to the Foundation’s website:  http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne_scholarship_application

The winners will be chosen by lottery drawing.  Further information about the program can be found at the website.

In the latest major setback for CWA’s Telecom Sector, members across the state voted to ratify by a razor thin margin perhaps the most retrogressive contract in the history of this bargaining unit in California.

The Executive Board of CWA 9003 unanimously recommended a NO vote.  And, despite rejecting the Tentative Agreement (TA) by a 2 to 1 margin, CWA 9003 members were out-voted by the majority of those voting from other Locals. It was a bitter end to an acrimonious round of negotiations - reached after nearly 9 months of bargaining, 2 days of mediation, and 1 day of a state-wide grievance strike.

The new 4 year contract goes into effect immediately. However, the most draconian part of the agreement, the enormous health care costs that members will now have to bear, will not go into effect until the new plan options are rolled out in April.

Verizon effectively used the struggling national economy, despite making record corporate profits, and a strategy of stalling negotiations to create a sense of inevitability in each of its bargaining units beginning with Verizon East and working their way west to California. Sadly, it was the same strategy employed by AT&T and proved equally effective.

CWA’s national leaders hope to break this losing pattern with newly adopted structural changes that will go into effect next year when the first national Verizon Bargaining Council will convene.

The new contract expires on March 4, 2017.  Members will receive a one-time ratification bonus of $1,100 and a wage increase of 2% effective with the ratification, 2% in 2014, 2% in 2015, and 2.5% in 2016.

Beginning in March, wages will be “frozen” for the purposes of calculating pensions for all eligible employees.  There are no pensions whatsoever for new hires.  One area of improvement is a new cap of 35% on the number of contractors allowed to do FiOS installation and maintenance work per calendar year.  We believe this is the only such cap in the country, but it is still outrageously high.

On October 30, 2013 a Tentative Agreement was reached between CWA and ULTCW-SEIU Local 6434.

This is only our second contract with ULTCW.  We are happy to report that there are no take-backs in this agreement.  Although we did not get everything we asked for, we believe this agreement contains significant improvements over our first contract and sets the stage for a better working relationship with ULTCW management going forward.

The Bargaining Committee unanimously supports the terms of the tentative agreement and recommends a “yes” vote.  The ratification vote will be conducted by mail ballot.

If ratified by the members on November 22, the new three year contract will provide a 3% general wage increase (GWI) retroactive to contract expiration on May 26, 2013;  a 2% GWI effective October 31, 2014; and 2% GWI on October 31, 2015.  There will be no mid-term wage re-openers.

In addition, there were increases in Comp Time, the addition of Foster Children to the definition of immediate family, and several other work rules changes sought by the membership.

Ballots have been mailed to members’ last known home address and must be returned before November 22.  We suggest you mail your completed ballot no later than November 18 to ensure it arrives at the CWA 9003 office in time for counting on November 22 at 10 am.  Ballots may also be dropped off in person at anytime prior to the counting.

If ratified, the new contract will expire on October 31, 2016.  You may review the full text of the TA here.

Each year, CWA 9003 honors those all those who served in the armed forces of our country.

We take an extra step to honor our own.  CWA members who are also Veterans are added to our CWA Vets Honor Roll.  In addition, we provide them with a small token of our appreciation.  It’s our way of saying, “Thank You!  We’re proud of you, your service, and the fact that you’re part of our CWA family.”

Honoring our Vet’s is a project of our Committee on Civil Rights and Equity.  The Committee’s mission includes protecting the rights of veterans.

Time is running out to take part in our annual raffle for the 2013 Clothe-A-Child Program.

We have fabulous prizes and tickets are only $1 each or get a book of 6 tickets for only $5!  Your contribution is tax deductible!

For raffle tickets, or more info about our programs, please contact Pandy Allen, Secretary Treasurer at 818-845-9003.

Our Story:  More than 45 years ago, a CWA service technician in Hollywood started a collection at work to buy new shoes for the boys at a nearby orphanage in time for Christmas. This technician was raised in the Hollygrove Home for Boys and remembered what a rare treasure a new pair of shoes was. News of the collection spread quickly and became an annual tradition for his entire Local union.

Today, that tradition is being carried on by the CWA 9003 Children’s Fund through our annual Clothe-A-Child Program.

Although Hollygrove has changed its mission, our program lives on.  The Fund is keeping the tradition of bringing volunteers and needy children together each holiday season. Through our collaboration with Alexandria House in Los Angeles, we are able to create a truly transformative experience for both homeless kids and our generous volunteers. 

Alexandria House provides homeless mothers and their children with a transitional home while they stabilize their lives and learn new skills to establish a base for a more permanent solution.  Our volunteers assist the kids in selecting a brand new winter outfit.  Then Santa drops in to bring them a toy on their wish list.  The day is capped with a special outing arranged just for the kids.

CWA 9003 is able to keep this tradition alive primarily through annual raffle ticket sales. Merchants, vendors, and many generous individuals donate a long list of fabulous raffle prizes each year.  At our Annual Holiday Party, the raffle tickets are drawn and the winners announced.

You can support our Clothe-A-Child program by purchasing your raffle tickets today.  The CWA 9003 Children’s Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with absolutely no administrative costs. Donations are 100% tax deductible. Won’t you help?

Being a CWA Member carries great benefits.  Your collective bargaining agreement may provide benefits through your employer.  We can help you navigate their hoops.  Your CWA membership earns you a collection of relationships, discounts, resource information as well as protections.  It is important for you and your family’s future.

• Take our quick Member Educational Interest Survey to let us know how to keep our programs relevant to your needs.

The CWA 9003 Education Committee is motivated to help keep you educated.  We can help you find and utilize the great advantages your CWA membership awards you.  For more information contact Myesha Glover, Education Committee Chair or follow this link to visit our Education Committee page.