Bargaining Report 34

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:26:36 -0500

CWA D4 AT&T MIDWEST BARGAINING REPORT #34 April 20, 2012
• We'd like to report the Company has backed off their demand of Massive Health Care cost shifting to our members, but that has not happened.
• We'd like to report the Company has restored our Employment Security language, but that has not happened.
• We'd like to report the Company has agreed to roll the Appendix's into the core contract, but that has not happened.
• We'd like to report the Company has agreed to bargain for retirees, but that has not happened.
• We'd like to report the Company has agreed to a pension increase, but that has not happened.
• We'd like to report the Company has agreed to a fair and adequate wage increase, but that has not happened.
Our Bargaining Committee understands people are frustrated that there isn't very much information in these reports. The truth is there is not a whole lot of new information to report! Why? We're evidently not doing enough to make the Company realize it's time to get serious and address our member's key issues. There simply is not enough pressure on the Company to make them get down to business and bargain a fair contract our members deserve.
It's time for each and every member to ask themselves two questions: “What have I done to help our bargaining team get a fair contract?” and, “What am I willing to do over the weeks ahead”?
It is the answer to those questions that will determine what kind of contract we get. Our mobilization team has a series of creative, militant ideas to help ramp up the pressure on AT&T.
Contact your Mobilization Coordinator of Officers to find out about your Locals activities.

Bargaining Report 33

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:24:09 -0500

CWA D4 AT&T MIDWEST BARGAINING REPORT #33 April 19, 2012
Negotiations continue at the Midwest Table. There is not much to report since AT&T is not backing off of their retrogressive demands.
The Company still has a series of retrogressive demands that would dismantle decades of collective bargaining gains including the following:
• Massive Cost Shifting to our members on HealthCare
• Elimination of our current Employment Security language to expand offers to any AT&T company with the United States
• Elimination of Economic Protection
• Elimination of Pooling and Bumping language
• Inadequate wage increases
• No Pension increases
• Unlimited Mandatory Forced Overtime ( District Wide)
• Refusal to bargain for current retirees
• Wiping out gains we made in Appendix F
• Elimination of Paid Sick Time
Our goal remains the same: To assure that members are better off at the end of this contract than at the beginning.
MOBILIZATION NEWS : To win the contract we deserve, we know we must make it absolutely clear to the company that CWA members across the Midwest support our Bargaining Committee and will do Whatever It Takes! We need each and every member to get involved in our Fight for the American Dream. We have to RAMP IT UP NOW !

Bargaining Report 32

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:26:42 -0500

CWA D4 AT&T MIDWEST BARGAINING REPORT #32 April 18, 2012
Negotiations continue with AT&T Midwest. Our Bargaining Committee is analyzing the Company's latest wage and benefit proposal and preparing counter proposals to present to the Company.
The Multi District Benefits Working Committee will also be meeting this afternoon to discuss options available for benefits.
The following message is from Our Bargaining Committee:
“The members of the elected Bargaining Committee want to thank Locals that are sending gifts to us. As you can imagine the Committee feels pretty removed from everyone here fighting with these people everyday and it sure brings our spirits up when we get gifts from home so to speak, so thanks again and keep thinking about us and we'll keep Fighting for our Union.”
MOBILIZATION NEWS : Yesterday, Locals across the Midwest were out leafleting at Post Offices across the five states blowing the whistle on AT&T for dodging taxes. They called on our members and the public to contact their member of Congress and tell them to stop allowing AT&T to rip off our country by dodging taxes and killing good jobs. In many locations CWA Activists were joined by 99% Spring Training participants and other Community Organizations. On the job, members continue to perform Quality Work Safely!

Contact your Mobilization Coordinator or Officers to find out about your Locals activities. 

Bargaining Report 31

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:24:44 -0500

CWA D4 AT&T MIDWEST BARGAINING REPORT #31 April 17, 2012
Today in negotiations the Company presented an economic proposal which contained a very small move on Health Care cost shifting. Unlike in their previous proposals, the wage increase for Prem Techs matched the base wage increase the Company proposed for other employees. However, this proposal was still clearly inadequate and there is still a lot of distance between the Company’s position and our position.
The Company rejected all of our proposals for Job upgrades and Wage Zone upgrades.
MOBILIZATION NEWS: It’s Tax Day and Locals across the Midwest are Blowing the Whistle on AT&T for not paying their share in Taxes! AT&T paid an average of only 2% in state taxes from 2007-2010 and less than 2% in federal taxes in 2010 and its lobbying the Federal Government to lower corporate taxes even further! Locals in all five states distributed fliers at Post Offices to let the public know AT&T paid TWO percent or Less in Federal taxes.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your member of Congress and tell them to stop allowing AT&T to rip off our country by dodging taxes at the same time they’re killing good jobs. 888-516-5820

Bargaining Report 30

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:44:46 -0500

CWA D4 AT&T MIDWEST BARGAINING REPORT #30 April 13, 2012
Negotiations continued at the Midwest table over the weekend. While we have made some progress on minor local issues, all of our major issues remain unresolved.
Perhaps management doesn’t believe CWA District 4 members are prepared to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to win a fair contract. We need to show them they’re wrong! We need every member to get involved and participate in our Mobilization activities.
It’s time to step up and make sure we ramp it up!
MOBILIZATION NEWS: Members across the Midwest continue to mobilize for a fair contract! Local 4320 C&E members are concerned management isn’t hearing our message. So every thirty minutes they stand and shout “We Want a Contract!” Local 4900 members in Mishawaka, Indiana sure understand Solidarity! Members continue to provide quality service and are following all of the company’s safety procedures. Locals are ramping up for Tax Day tomorrow.

Bargaining Report 29

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:42:32 -0500

CWA D4 AT&T MIDWEST BARGAINING REPORT #29 April 13, 2012
Today in negotiations our Committee presented the Company with proposals on:
• Economic Issues including Health Care
• Article 26 Employment Security
• Scheduling around Vacations
We continue to show we are seriously interested in reaching an agreement. However, the Company has to demonstrate they are willing to address our issues including:
• Employment Security
• Appendix F, G, and COS
• Retirement Security
MOBILIZATION NEWS: Members across the Midwest are working safely and taking all necessary steps to perform a quality job. Of course yesterday, members were all decked out in red! In Detroit, Local 4100 members have thrown a little yellow into the mix. They have tied yellow ribbons to their truck antennas and say “THE RIBBONS WILL STAY UNTIL WE SAY YES!” 

Bargaining Report 28

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:25:41 -0500

CWA D4 AT&T MIDWEST BARGAINING REPORT #28 April 12, 2012
Negotiations continue with AT&T Midwest. While there has been some progress on minor local issues, all of our major issues remain unresolved.
Today our Committee is working on preparing a Health Care proposal and continuing to work on Local issues.
MOBILIZATION NEWS: AT&T members across the Midwest have been attending 99% Spring Training Sessions. In a session last night in Milwaukee, WI 4603 members, along with other community activists, made picket signs and plans for our April 17 Tax Day Action. This week sessions are being conducted in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. So far 146 District 4 members have participated in these trainings, and more are scheduled to attend. On the job members continue to perform Quality work Safely! Locals continue to hold informational pickets and are making lots of noise!