CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #49

April 29, 2009

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #48

April 29, 2009

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #47

April 27, 2009

This report is for Monday, April 27, 2009.  During the past two weeks since the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with AT&T, the Company has not made a single proposal.  Therefore, the bargaining committee was released to return home this weekend.  Our Bargaining Chair Richard Kneupper, Assistant to the Vice President; Ed Pinkelman, Area Director; and Sylvia Ramos, CWA Representative are in Austin and available to meet with the Company on a daily basis if needed.  Should the Company make a formal proposal, we will cover it with our committee via conference call and decide if the Company is serious enough about reaching an agreement to return the committee to Austin.  We want to emphasize that we are not at an impasse with AT&T, but it makes absolutely no sense to have these dedicated bargaining committee members spend week after week away from their families, while the Company drags its feet, plays games and refuses to bargain.  

In the mean time you should continue to mobilize.  Something new is happening every week, so be sure to check with your local union. 

We understand there has been an outbreak of the Swine flu…Easy to catch when you work for pigs! 

Work safe and be healthy. 

Be aware a strike could occur at any time.  If you are on the job when a strike is called, please follow the guidelines listed below:

If you work outside, upon being notified CWA is on strike against AT&T, politely advise the customer that CWA has called a strike and that you must return to your truck and report for strike duty.  The best option is to return your Company truck to your normal reporting location.  However if you cannot return your truck to your normal place of reporting, then you should take your truck to the nearest AT&T work location, lock the truck with the key inside and advise your supervisor where you have left the truck. 

If you work inside and you are on the telephone with a customer, you should politely advise the customer that CWA has just called a strike against AT&T, and you are going to put them on hold and transfer the call to a manager. 

Everyone should then leave work and check with their local to verify their strike assignment.

We will continue to update this website daily, unless AT&T starts to make some real movement there will be little to report each day.

United We Bargain…………………….Divided We Beg!!!

Please click the following link to view the new online petition:

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #46

April 24, 2009

This report is for Friday, April 24, 2009.  The Sub-Committees representing Appendix A, B, D, and I met this morning to continue negotiations. Discussions took place pertaining to Appendix I – Bilingual Differential, Appointment Time, and Emergency Time Off.  The Union also asked the Company questions pertaining to the Service Representative Task Force Agreement.  The Company is in the process of gathering important data that the Union requested.  We will reconvene on Monday, April 27, 2009.

Sub-Committees representing Appendix C, H, and J met this afternoon to continue reviewing Temporary Full Time Employee’s (TFT’s) work locations.  Discussions took place pertaining to the Company’s transfer process and its application for TFT’s.

A Formal Bargaining Session is scheduled for Monday. 

UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………………………

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #45

April 24, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, April 23, 2009.  The Sub-Committees representing Appendix C, H, and J reconvened negotiations this morning pertaining to the Temporary Full Time Employees (TFT’s).  The Union reviewed updated data on the work locations for current temporary employees.  

The Formal Bargaining Session took place this afternoon.  The Company rejected the Union’s proposals on Evolving Technologies and President’s Council.  The Union also continued with questions pertaining to Dental and Care Plus.  The Union also questioned AT&T about their willingness to support National Health Care Reform, which would save the Company significant amounts of money.

A discussion also took place pertaining to the misinformation on the AT&T NEWS NOW Alert that was sent on April 23, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. to employees titled, “Labor Update: Facts about health care plans currently under negotiation.”  We asked what proposal did this Labor Update apply to because it clearly was not the one on the bargaining table here in District 6, as the Company proposal on the table has premiums (monthly contributions), high deductibles, high out of pocket maximums, and co-insurance.  For example, there is a up to $5300.00 out of pocket expense for family coverage, a modest annual maximum when currently the plan is $0?  We told the Company we would like to see this alleged proposal since it has not been presented at the table and that their Labor Update was disingenuous to say the least!  

Negotiations are scheduled to continue tomorrow for both Sub-Committees.

Don’t fall for AT&Ts propaganda.

UNITED WE BARGAIN…………………….
                                                         DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #44

April 23, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, April 22, 2009.  A Formal Bargaining Session was held this afternoon.  Discussions on Health Care continued.  The Union reiterated to the Company that we were still waiting for their counter proposals.

Sub-Committees representing Appendix C, H, and J reconvened bargaining.  Discussion took place pertaining to the Temporary Full Time Employees (TFT’s).  Based on the fact that the Company did not have the appropriate information, negotiations are scheduled to continue tomorrow.

UNITED WE BARGAIN………………………..
                                                          DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please click the following link to view the new online petition:

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #43

April 22, 2009

This bargaining report is for Tuesday, April 21, 2009.  Sub-Committees representing Appendix A, B, D, and I met this morning to continue bargaining.  Discussions took place pertaining to the Joint Agreements of the Service Representative Review Committee, recommendations of the Communications Consultant Joint Leadership Forum, recommendations of the Revenue Management Representative Working Group and the Operator Task Force Recommendations.   The Union asked numerous questions pertaining to these agreements.  The Company stated they would need to research and get back to us with the answers.  Both parties agreed to continue negotiations later this week. 

The Formal Bargaining Session took place this afternoon.  The Union’s opening statement to the Company was, “When your Number 1 YOU can’t get MUCH higher!”  The Company questioned, “Number ONE?”   The Union clarified this was in regard’s to AT&T’s rating on the FORTUNE 1000 LIST for the top telecommunications companies.   The Union also stated that the Company was just being GREEDY based on their cost shifting Health Care Proposal. 

The Company was going TOO FAR—-TOO QUICK and we feel that it shows a total lack of respect.

Bargaining continued with the Union asking questions pertaining to the Company’s Health Care, Flexible Spending Accounts, Medicare, Long-Term Care, Dental, and Care Plus benefit proposal.  The Company did not have any new information to present to the Union.

The Union asked about the status of the Temporary Full Time (TFT) information that has been pending.  The Company said they should have that information by 5:00 p.m. today. The Temporary Full Time Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow to continue bargaining.

Full negotiations are scheduled to continue tomorrow. 

AT&T’s First Quarter Earnings Statement is scheduled to be out tomorrow.

THIS IS NO WAY TO “THANK” THE EMPLOYEES THAT GENERATED THESE EARNINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AT&T needs to get SERIOUS about our FUTURE—–BY GETTING SERIOUS AT THE BARGAINING TABLE!           

Please join the AT&T National Unity e-Meeting Thursday, April 23, 2009  at 8:00 p.m. (CST) with Larry Cohen, President of CWA and Annie Hill, Executive Vice President.

- Bargaining update

- Member questions

- Next steps in member mobilization

You must register in advance at www.cwaunion.tv.  After registering, you will be able to submit questions you would like addressed during the meeting.

Keep the pressure on!  Together we must convince AT&T that they must change course and negotiate a fair and just contract.

Please click the following link to view the new online petition:

               NO CONTRACT—————————–NO PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T BARGAINING REPORT #41

April 20, 2009

This Bargaining Report is for Monday, April 20, 2009.  The Sub-Committees representing Appendix A, B, D and I met this morning to continue negotiations.  Most of this Bargaining session consisted of questions asked by the Union pertaining to the Service Representative Task Force Agreement.  The Union’s major concern is the Company’s reluctance to renew this agreement through the life of the new Contract.  After a lengthy discussion, both parties agreed to reconvene later this week.

A Formal Bargaining session took place this afternoon.  The Union presented the Company with their lists of questions pertaining to the Commuter Plan, Flexible Spending Account, Adoption, Dental, etc., as we continue to study the Summary Plan Descriptions line by line. 

Bargaining is scheduled to continue tomorrow.

UNITED WE BARGAIN………………..

                                                 DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #41

April 17, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday, April 17, 2009.  The Full Committees met twice today.  Lengthy discussions took place pertaining to the proposed Commute, Adoption, Dental and Vision Plans.  The Union bargaining committee is studying line by line the Summary Plan Descriptions.  Sub-Committee A, B, D, and I is scheduled to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday.  The full committees will also meet again on Monday.

Next week will be extremely important.  Please make plans to attend the AT&T Shareholders Meeting.   

Important Mobilization Activities:     Sign our On-Line Petition
                                                          Request to Review Your Personnel History File
                                                          Stay tuned for Project Phase II

UNITED WE BARGAIN………………………………..
                                                                      DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!