rom: Ralph Cortez
]]>—–Original Message—–
From: Vinnie Stellato [mailto:cwarep3115@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 9:42 PM
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Subject: DON”T SELL US OUT!!!
To Whom It May Concern:
I am the Secretary/Treasurer of CWA Local 3115 in Brooksville, Florida and let me start by saying that I am appalled at the latest events leading to the ratification of the District 4 contract as well as the tentative agreement with District 9.
District 4 states that their contract was “overwhelmingly ratified”. Overwhelmingly? They had 62%. Is that overwhelming? Not in my book. Now you have union members in District 4 up in arms. Was this contract really ratified or is it just another political show? I can’t see how first they ratify a contract less than 24 hours prior to the District 3 contract expiring and second, they ratify a contract that is for three years and gives no job security as well as an increase in cost for medical benefits to the members. Wake up District 4.
Now District 9. What are you thinking? You’re now in the same boat as District 4. After reading the tentative agreement for District 9 I was actually sick to my stomach. To make it worse at the end of the agreement (on the District 9 website) in bold capital letters it says, “1 UNION 1 FIGHT 1 CONTRACT”. How ironic. Did District 9 forget about the rest of the districts presently bargaining? I guess when they wrote “1 Union” they meant THEM. That is like a slap in the face to the rest of us that are hoping for a fair and EQUAL contract. Your contract is neither fair nor equal. You have no wording preventing Prem Techs from doing Service Tech work; you have no wording against sub-contracting. You will eventually eliminate a much earned and eventually cost saving position… and member I might add. You’re also paying more out of pocket for your benefits. I can maybe sympathize with the company if they weren’t making money. But they ARE. A lot of it. And they’re crying economy. Give me a break.
AT&T is a very profitable company. VERY PROFITABLE. Second quarter 2009 earnings: $29.5 BILLION. Yes BILLION. Up from $15.8 BILLION in 2008. That’s almost double in 12 months. How did they make so much? All of us members. Meanwhile the company cries about the economy and District 4 and District 9 roll over and play dead. Although my hat goes off to all the bargaining committees. That is definitely a tough job. But I do need to ask District 4 and 9 a question, “What did you go into bargaining with? Cause you didn’t come out with much…” You both let the nation down. “Power in Numbers”.
How can our CWA National Representatives let this happen? That’s what we pay dues for. Our CWA Exec’s are supposed to look out for us. Sorry, I don’t feel it. Prove it… Step up and stop these outrageous offers and fight for what’s fair not political. Members of CWA contribute our hard earned money to member’s dues and COPE to name a couple. I feel that my own hard earned money has let us down tremendously. Our dues are supposed to ensure that we are paying people to look out for our best interest. That is not happening. WAKE UP! To let an individual District settle on a single contract when we had the whole country behind us is appalling. The contract is not about the money. It’s about job security and benefits for our members and retiree’s. These people have made this company what it is today. Very profitable. Now AT&T wants to take care of their executives ($33.4 MILLION in 2008) instead of taking care of the people who built AT&T. YOU…
So where are we now? I can tell you. We are behind the eight ball. Two selfish District’s down. If the remaining districts follow District 4 and District 9, we are in trouble. But it’s not too late. District 1, 6 and 3 are still negotiating. To them, we are still over 115,000 strong. STICK TOGETHER and don’t settle. You deserve to be treated fairly and that’s all we’re asking.
In closing I would like to express my disappointment in CWA President Larry Cohen, Executive Vice President Annie Hill, my CWA Nation Representatives, District 4 as well as District 9 for not standing up and fighting for:
“1 UNION 1 FIGHT 1 CONTRACT”
You let us down……
In Unity,
Vinnie Stellato
Secretary/Treasurer
Local 3115
Brooksville, Florida
August 10, 2009
This bargaining report is for Friday, August 7, 2009. CWA and AT&T Representatives met informally today to continue discussions. Premise Technicians work, and work rules were discussed as well as future retiree healthcare and incentive plans.
At this point, we will continue reviewing and assessing bargaining proposals in an attempt to reach a FAIR and JUST Contract for our members. Slight progress has been made in a few areas this week, but we are still far apart on MAJOR items. We will continue to work diligently in your best interest.
We would like everyone to stay INVOLVED in all Mobilization activity. AT&T must understand that we will not stop our fight until we reach a FAIR agreement. It is extremely important that all of our members understand why we must take such a STRONG STAND AGAINST AT&T’s OUTSOURCING AND INSOURCING. We must BEAT AT&T at their own GAME—-Plan for the FUTURE of our LABOR MOVEMENT by securing our jobs here in the UNITED STATES. AT&T must STOP their Corporate GREED and START leading by example by providing jobs in America.
We will keep you posted on any bargaining updates as needed.
DISTRICT 6………
ENGAGED——–INVOLVED——–UNITED——-READY AND WILLING TO FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE!!!!!!
UNITED WE BARGAIN…………………………………………
DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
]]>August 7, 2009
RE: CWA District 6/AT&T Bargaining
Dear CWA Members:
I want to thank each of you for your ongoing support and mobilization these past 6 months. We all knew these negotiations would be the toughest we have faced in our careers; we just had no idea the extent of the greed of this wealthy Company. I also want to express my appreciation for our elected bargaining committee. With all the challenges they have had to face, they remain determined to bargain a fair contract.
I offer my congratulations to District 4 on the ratification of their contract with AT&T. Now that the District 4 AT&T Midwest contract has ratified, it would seem a simple matter for our District 6 Bargaining Committee to accept the same contract. However, it is not that simple. AT&T did not agree to a National table for bargaining. And our District 6 members expect and deserve to have their contract bargained by their elected District 6 representatives. AT&T maintains that we must operate in the economic framework established in the Midwest. We in District 6 disagree that another bargaining unit will set the parameters for our bargaining. AT&T is certainly unwilling to accept the parameters of the Verizon East Agreement.
When we entered into negotiations, we were aware that some changes to our health care plan may be necessary. We never expected AT&T to throw out our entire benefit package and have us adopt the Company’s philosophical idea of health care. One of the Company’s major arguments has been they need “consumer driven” health care. However, premiums have nothing to do with “consumer driven” plans. I think AT&T has forgotten that we had a 21-day nationwide strike over health care premiums in 1983. The truth is AT&T wants you to pay more for your health care. Every dollar that comes out of your pocket for health care is added to the already $6.2 billion in profits they have made this year.
Before the ink was dry on the 2004 contract, Randall Stephenson stated AT&T needed a different “cost structure.” What this means is AT&T intends to lower our members’ standard of living! The shift of health care costs is just the first step. Service Reps and CSTs have been two of the core jobs you could depend on to earn an upper middle class living–jobs where you could afford to buy a house and send your children to college. You could also depend on a good pension and health care when you retired. AT&T wants to lower the standard of living for those who have traditionally sold their products and those who have traditionally provided installation and repair at the customer’s premise.
AT&T proposed a Leveraged Service Rep title prior to bargaining. District 6 and every CWA bargaining unit refused the Company’s proposal. It is a race to the bottom. Only the IBEW agreed to the Leveraged Service Rep. A Leveraged Service Rep would receive 60% of the base pay of a Service Rep. Then he/she would need to earn the other 40% of compensation through Company-controlled commissions or bonuses or whatever management may determine their objectives are for that day. In addition, many Service Reps are working 6 days. A Leveraged Service Rep would only be paid overtime on the 60% of the base salary, not on the commission or other gimmicks the Company may institute. In my opinion this race to the bottom is a mistake.
Prem Techs are the Installers/Repairmen of the future. They are required to work in attics, drop walls and perform much more technical work than Installers of the past. Yet, the Company expects them to work for less pay and less retiree benefits. The Company even refuses to allow them to have the same work rules as other outside craft. It is just another example of a new management style that no longer views us as partners.
It is my belief that we should leave things better than we found them. We should strive to make this country a better place to live for our children and grandchildren. We should strive to make our Union a stronger Union for the younger members. And we should strive to make AT&T a better place to work for the next generation. We have always had to fight to improve the future for those who follow.
Myself, I would rather stand and fight AT&T, win or lose, than bow down to them and live on my knees.
In Unity,
Andy Milburn, Vice President
]]>July 6, 2009
CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #94
This bargaining report is for Friday, July 3, 2009. Negotiations continue between AT&T and CWA. The Union continued questioning the Company on various Incentive Programs. The Union asked numerous questions pertaining to each contests rules and guidelines. Both parties agreed to continue discussions tomorrow morning.
CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #95
This bargaining report is for Saturday, July 4, 2009. The Union met with the Company and continued discussions on Incentive Programs. The Company was unable to answer numerous questions, so the Union will present written requests to the Company.
The Union and Company agreed to continue discussions on Monday.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
UNITED WE BARGAIN————————-
]]>DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 2, 2009
This bargaining report is for Wednesday, July 1, 2009. As discussions continue between CWA and AT&T, the Union requested an overview pertaining to the structure of Company Incentive Plans. The Union would like to make sure that all Company Incentive plans are being administered in a fair and just manner. In the past the Company would prohibit employees on any step of discipline from participating. The Union also requested the number of employees that participate in these programs and the amount of their payouts.
Other important issues discussed were Contract Work and Outsourcing to foreign countries. We are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow to continue discussions.
UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………..
]]>DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 1, 2009
This bargaining report is for Tuesday, June 30, 2009. Discussions continue between CWA and AT&T. In today’s formal sessions the Union requested improvements in Training/Retraining. CWA requested that the Company conduct trials by offering non-generic courses to employees. Discussions included Tution Aid, Presidents Council and Premise Technician’s responsibilities. Once again, the Union stated that the Premise Technicians are responsible for AT&T’s premier products and the Company does not appreciate them for their knowledge and expertise. The responsibilities that they are held accountable for verses the money they are being compensated is not even close to their worth.
We are scheduled to reconvene to continue discussions tomorrow.
UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………..
DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 17, 2009
This report is for Wednesday June 17, 2009. The CWA Bargaining committee was released to return home today. This was due to the fact that AT&T has not made any significant movement on many of the major issues and continues to hold numerous items of the contract hostage to its demand to shift significant health care costs to bargaining unit members. The committee has been at the table for 4 months now with little time away. The committee will be recalled at the appropriate time or when there is an indication that negotiations can move forward.
Until that time there will be nothing new to report.
United We Bargain……………………………………
Divided We Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
]]>June 16, 2009
This report is for Tuesday June 16, 2009. There were no meetings today between the parties as AT&T refused to meet CWA demands for AT&T to get all the missing items back on the table so negotiations could move forward and the status quo could be regained. AT&T continues its demand to shift significant costs to our members for health care and still holds major items of the agreement hostage to these demands. Due to this, there is no progress to report.
United We Bargain …………………………………………
Divided We Beg !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
]]>June 15, 2009
This report is for Monday June 15, 2009
The CWA and AT&T bargaining committees met informally today and continued discussions on numerous issues. We once again indicated to AT&T that they needed to get everything back on the table that was missing and went through a lengthy list of items that would get us back to status quo. AT&T’s continued demand for shifting significant cost of the health care plan to our members, and the relationship of benefits to wages and other economic items was central to the discussions. AT&T wishes to reduce or not renew such items as Cost of Living Adjustments, very small Pension Increases and no continued use of the GATT Rate for Lump Sum Pension Calculations, shift the Team Performance Award to a Success Sharing Plan which we believe will produce a reduced pay out vs. what the TPA provides today. These coupled with less than adequate wage increases would not even come close to making up for these changes and still keeping our members at their current standard of living.
United We Bargain……………………………………………………………….
Divided we Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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