CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #71

May 29, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, May 28, 2009.  Late today, AT&T finally provided requested cost share data on its recent medical plan proposal.  We will be sharing the data with CWA Research in D.C. and be using it to develop and review other possible alternatives.  As shifting  significant costs on health care to bargaining unit employees is the number one item on AT&T’s agenda for this round of bargaining the issue is extremely contentious.  Shifting just a few percent in cost share means millions of dollars in savings to AT&T and AT&T Executives and millions of dollars that now has to come out of the pockets of bargaining unit members. 

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #70

May 28, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, May 28, 2009.  CWA continues to work on reviewing ALL proposals and items on the Last, Best, and Final Offer.  To date the Company has not provided all the requested cost share information on Medical, and continues to indicate that the information should be made available sometime tomorrow.  The bargaining committee needs that information so that they can attempt to move the bargaining forward.  Due to this, there is little new information to report at this time.  The committee remains optimistic for a decent contract and has worked ahead as far as they can at this point in time pending the additional information.

UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………….

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #69

May 27, 2009

This bargaining report is for Tuesday, May 27, 2009.  There were no formal bargaining sessions today.  CWA has requested pertinent cost information from the Company on their recent benefit proposal, and is awaiting a response from AT&T.  This information is needed so that CWA may adequately understand the cost share that the Company is asking bargaining unit members to start to pick up under their proposal.  The Company indicates the cost share is 14% the first year, 17% the second year, and 20% the third year, but CWA is requesting specific average dollar values on those computations for each component of the plan.  We are waiting for the Company to provide this information and have requested a conference call with AT&T benefits, CWA research, and your elected bargaining committee.  The committee continues to work on a counter proposal for Premise Technicians that would upgrade their pay and greatly improve their working conditions from what they currently are, while continuing to protect surplus employees who have entered or may enter Appendix J.

As all of our members are aware, CWA is in PHASE II of our Mobilization Timeline.  Thank you for your continued SUPPORT, DEDICATION, AND SOLIDARITY! Don’t forget to tune in tonight for the SECOND National Webcast at 8 p.m. CDT.

AT&T Unity e-Meeting

Wednesday, May 27
8pm CST

Pre-register at:
www.cwaunion.tv

UNITED WE BARGAIN………………….

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

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #68

May 26, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday, May 22, 2009.  There was a formal meeting scheduled today, to continue bargaining.  The Company provided the Union with the side by side comparison on the BCB2 Cash Balance Pension Plan, Savings and Security Plan, and the AT&T Retirement Savings Plan for new hires.  The Company had a few responses on the Union’s questions on Medical Care Reimbursement Accounts and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts.  The Union reviewed the status of all the Company’s proposals.  CWA indicated agreement on a few proposals dealing with declaration of Service Emergency, Retired Local Presidents expenses, and Military Leave of Absence language.  The Union reviewed the status of other proposals being reviewed and considered.

The Union presented revised proposals on Temporary Employees, Travel, and Force Adjustment.  The committee continues to consider how to move forward on health care and Premise Tech issues.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ———————– TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

UNITED WE BARGAIN——————–

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #67

May 22, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, May 21, 2009.  There was a formal bargaining session held this afternoon.  The Union continued asking their clarifying questions pertaining to the Company proposed Success Sharing Plan, Strategic Alliance Agreement, Card Check, AT&T Retirement Savings Plan for New Hires, the BCB2 Cash Balance Pension Plan, Pension increases for current employees, and the Joint Health Care Cost Containment Committee.  The Company also provided the Union with some of the information previously requested the day before.

The Union stressed that the Future Retiree Medical, which the Company has proposed would require premiums for Medical coverage for anyone who retired during the life of the new contract was a HUGH ISSUE.

The parties are scheduled to meet again on Friday.

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #66

May 21, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, May 20, 2009.  There were no formal meetings today.  The Union spent the day reviewing the Health Care Package and considering cost share information.  CWA wants to be 100% clear on ALL of the Company’s package in order to bargain over the Company’s Proposal.  The Union will continue to work diligently to bargain with the Company over their last, best, and final offer.

Meanwhile, it is extremely important that EVERYONE participate in our ongoing MOBILIZATION ACTIVITIES!  Please make sure that everyone has signed the, “Tell STANKEY it STINKS!” petition.  Anyone who hasn’t seen the Petition can check out the WEB SITE below and print a copy.

http://files.cwa-union.org/district6/090514_petition.doc 

Check with your Local Mobilization Coordinator for the LATEST and GREATEST Updates.

ENGAGED—–INVOLVED—–MOTIVATED—–EDUCATED—–STANDING TOGETHER!!!!!

UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………….

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #65

May 20, 2009

This bargaining report is for Tuesday, May 19, 2009.  The Full Committee met this afternoon to continue discussions on the Company’s Last, Best, and Final Offer.  The Company provided a few answers to some of our previous questions from the day before.  AT&T provided some information to help us identify which benefits applied to which type of employee (New Hires, Converted Temporary Employees, Current Employees, and Appendix J Employees).  The  Company was still compiling information on their proposed Success Sharing Plan.  The parties also discussed Leverage Titles for Appendix B specifically in consumer, which would create a title paid at 60% of Service Representative pay, with 40% of pay at risk, based on meeting certain sales targets.  Force Adjustment changes were discussed, and how a new post and bid system would impact current surplus options in the future.  Your bargaining committee will continue to ask questions and be sure we fully understand the offer.  We still need to have a thorough discussion with the Company on the overall benefit proposal, which continues to have  a two- tier structure.

We are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow.

TOGETHER WE  CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Also, Don’t Forget to Sign the “TELL STANKEY IT STINKS Petition! 

Tell Stankey it STINKS!  Print the petition at the following link:

http://files.cwa-union.org/district6/090514_petition.doc 

UNITED WE BARGAIN………………………

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

opeiu#13

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #64

May 19, 2009

This bargaining report is for Monday, May 18, 2009.  The CWA Bargaining Committee continued to review the Company’s package and formulate questions for clarification.  The Union and Company met in Full Committee.  CWA continued with questions on the Company’s Incentive Proposal, On Call, Travel, National Transfer Plan, Employment Security and Appendix J.  The Company did confirm that their new Incentive Plans could be tied to discipline, meaning that if an employee is on a Step of Discipline, even for attendance, could disqualify them from participating in ANY Incentive Plans.  Furthermore, if the employee is on a Step of Discipline that would not exclude them from having to meet their SALES OBJECTIVE, it just means they will not be receiving ANY INCENTIVES, should they exceed expectation.

The Union requested an update on previous information that had been requested.  We plan to continue meeting tomorrow.

The Union still believes that the Company’s last, best, and final offer does not adequately address the needs of our members, and destroys the framework of working conditions, benefits, and wages that have taken years to build.

We have now learned that many members are receiving letters mailed to their home from John Stankey with AT&T.  Members are asked to return the letter to their Local Union if one is received, so that they can be returned to Mr. Stankey.  Mr. Stankey and AT&T need to understand that the Company needs to bargain with your elected bargaining committee not with each member as we believe AT&T is attempting to do.    

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

Also, Don’t Forget to Sign the “TELL STANKEY IT STINKS Petition! 

Tell Stankey it STINKS!  Print the petition at the following link:

http://files.cwa-union.org/district6/090514_petition.doc 

UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………….

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #63

May 15, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday, May 14, 2009.  The CWA Bargaining Committee continued to review the Company’s Last, Best and Final proposal.  Based on the fact that there are some proposals, and modifications to proposals that we have not seen before.  We are reviewing the package thoroughly and will be asking the Company questions for clarification purposes.  Also, there are numerous proposals that the committee has rejected in the past that will now have to be thoroughly researched.  Due to this, today was a work day for the Committee.

Plans are to start meeting with AT&T again on Monday.  We will keep you posted!

Click on the link below to view the video:

Heavens Gates (Shutting Detroit Down)

Tell Stankey it STINKS!  Sign the petition at the link below:

http://files.cwa-union.org/district6/090514_petition.doc 

UNITED WE BARGAIN…………………………..

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #62

May 15, 2009

This report is for Thursday, May 14, 2009.  The CWA & AT&T Bargaining Committee met this afternoon to discuss numerous questions pertaining to the Company’s, Last Best and Final Offer.  The Union asked questions pertaining to the Success Sharing Plan, Travel, On Call Duty, Wages and other proposals. 

We are planning to reconvene tomorrow to continue our discussion.  We will keep you posted.

CWA:

                                                  AN INJURY TO ONE…..IS AN INJURY TO ALL!

STAND STRONG DISTRICT 6!!!
All eyes are on you.  You are the front line in this fight to keep what we and our forefathers have fought for over the years.
We can’t give in to this ridiculous healthcare take back and retirement slashing offer.  The rest of the brotherhood in locals all around the country are standing behind you and ready to do whatever it takes to get a fair and just contract!

In Solidarity,
Cable Maintenance Splicer

P.S. Remember the Company has been profitable all along paying for healthcare what they have been paying now!  

UNITED WE BARGAIN………………………………………..

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