CWA 9003

We have just received word that AT&T West Labor Relations has backed down from their earlier position which would have violated the contract’s grievance procedure.

Candidates for public office at all levels of government have sought out CWA’s endorsement.  This speaks volumes about the importance of union families to these candidates.

In order to determine recommendations for our members, we employ an extensive process that includes a background check on voting history, candidate questionnaires on issues important to CWA members specifically, and the Labor Movement generally; as well as face-to-face interviews with CWA Local representatives from around the state.

We also go through a similar vetting process for ballot initiatives.  This year, there are 17 State Propositions to consider.  Our recommendations are listed below.

Click here for our full list:

CWA RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER 7 GENERAL ELECTION

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” – Pericles

The CWA/AT&T Mobility National Benefits Bargaining committee has reached a new tentative agreement with AT&T Mobility covering 42,000 workers.

This proposed national agreement covers health care and other benefits for our separately negotiated Mobility contracts that now cover compensation and working conditions. CWA 9003 members are covered under what’s referred to as the Orange Contract.

An earlier agreement was voted down by the members last month, and continued negotiations resulted in the tentative proposal that is being provided to the membership for a ratification vote.

Ratification will be conducted over the next several weeks.

Among the highlights of the new proposed agreement:

• Reduced premium costs for 20,000 employees hired after 2014.

• Employees with dependent children and no covered spouse will pay lower rates under a new 4-tier contribution structure.

• Employees in Puerto Rico will be able to take advantage of popular HMO plans with much lower contribution rates.

• A new “Option 2” plan will be introduced with lower premium costs.

Click here for a complete Summary of the Tentative Agreement

Click here to read the CWA 9003 Executive Board Recommendation.

Sometimes you just need to get away and have some fun. It’s even better if you can leave the driving to someone else!

The Committee on Civil Rights & Equity will be having a bus turn-around trip to the fabulous San Diego Viejas Casino and Resort on Sunday, October 23, 2016. The cost is only $25.00 per person.

Enjoy the camaraderie of friends and family while gaming, outlet shopping, fine dining, and entertainment in beautiful surroundings. And get there and back in easy comfort.

The bus will leave from the CWA 9003 office in Burbank at 7am and will return around 6pm.

To join us for a good time, call 818-845-9003 to reserve your seat on the bus.

Don’t miss out . . . seats are limited. Call today!

Striking workers will be back on the job on Wednesday, June 1.

Highlights from the proposed agreement, which will be presented to members for a ratification vote after the return to work, include:

• A 10.9 percent raise over the next 4 years with compounded interest, including 3% upon ratification, and 2.5% on each anniversary of the contract.
• $1250 signing bonus in the Mid-Atlantic and a $1000 signing bonus plus $250 healthcare reimbursement account in the Northeast, and a minimum of $700 in corporate profit sharing payments in each of the next four years.
• The first contract ever for nearly 70 Verizon Wireless retail store workers
  All call centers that had been threatened with closure in the Mid-Atlantic region will remain open. Three of the five threatened call centers in upstate New York will also remain open; the six workers affected in the other two centers will be offered jobs locally in the company.
• The new contract guarantees that an increased percentage of customer service work will be handled by unionized workers. As a result, Verizon will add 1,300 call center jobs, 850 in the Mid-Atlantic region and 450 in the Northeast.
• Several major contracting initiatives will be reversed, sustaining work for union members in their communities and returning a significant amount of pole maintenance work to the unionized workforce in New York State. There will be a 25% increase in the number of unionized crews doing pole work in New York State.
• Existing Job security language will be preserved, as will existing language on transfer and seniority protections for retirement incentives. All of the company’s proposals on forced interstate transfers of technicians were withdrawn.
• All proposed reductions of pensions were withdrawn by the company, and there will be three 1% increases in the defined benefit pensions over the life of the agreement.
• The company agreed to terminate a performance supervisory program (known as QAR) in effect in the five boroughs of New York City that workers found extremely abusive, and both parties will work with an outside consultant to develop a non-punitive program. This was a major issue for NYC-based technicians.
• Proposed cuts in accident and disability benefits were withdrawn. The parties agreed to changes to active and retiree healthcare that generate savings to the company while protecting excellent plan designs for medical care.

Prior to every round of bargaining, CWA 9003 prepares and distributes a “Strike Preparation Packet” for each member impacted by the upcoming round of negotiations.  These packets are distributed at Membership Meetings, by Stewards, and by designated Picket Captains.

Inevitably, some members are missed or fail to return the necessary information to the Local Secretary Treasurer. However, in order to ensure that in the event of a strike, every eligible member receives the appropriate strike benefits from the CWA Members Relief Fund, we must have this information on hand.

If you have not yet received a Strike Preparation Packet, please download a copy here, print it out, fill out the appropriate sections, and return it to Secretary Treasurer Pandy Allen promptly.

Please don’t wait until a strike is called to complete these forms!

CWA District 9 and AT&T-West are currently bargaining for a new contract.  Bargaining Bulletins are being posted on the CWA 9003 Facebook page as well as the CWA District 9 webpage.  You may also call the Local Hotline at 818-753-6966 for updates on bargaining and mobilization activities.

Bargaining is not a spectator sport.  Our bargaining team are very good at what they do, but they need our support.  That’s what we refer to as Mobilization.  Each CWA Local representing AT&T-West members is now engaging in activities to build our strength and increase the leverage our bargainers have at the negotiating table.

Want to be a part of the CWA 9003 Mobilization Team? Contact our Mobilization Chair Pamm Bell for more information or ask your Steward how you can help.

For release April 10, 2016, 12:01 a.m.
Contact: Ameenah Salaam, CWA District 9, 916-716-2357

Contract Expires at AT&T West

Workers Will Stay on the Job and Continue the Fight for a Fair Contract  

Sacramento, CA  – The 15,000 workers at AT&T West, members of the Communications Workers of America, will work without a contract as their collective bargaining agreement expired at midnight.

“We’re going to continue fighting for a fair contract while we stay on the job,” said CWA District 9 Vice President Tom Runnion. “For weeks we have called on AT&T West to get serious about bargaining and negotiate a fair agreement for its workers.  Our members showed their determination to achieve a fair contract with over 95% voting to authorize a strike if necessary.  That remains an option,” Runnion said.

Negotiations cover workers at AT&T West in California and Nevada.  AT&T is a very profitable company and its $49 billion purchase of DirecTV closed last July.  However, in bargaining for the workers who have helped make it successful, AT&T is demanding outrageous concessions.

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