United We Bargain…………………..

Divided We Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #128

August 27, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, August 26, 2009.

Today, a lively, and at times heated exchange occurred with the CWA Bargaining Committee as they told AT&T that their retrogressive proposals were unacceptable.  As an example, utilizing volunteers first for overtime assignments has been the standard for many years, yet now AT&T demands that be modified.  CWA wants that issue removed from the table, and asked the Company what it would take to get it off the table.  AT&T cannot, or will not respond to that question.  A large portion of the remaining issues on the table are in AT&T’s view, their final position.  Additionally, they cannot, or will not, move on any other remaining items, unless CWA gives up more.  What AT&T wants to do is tilt the bargaining table toward them to the extent that many items roll out of your pocket, and into theirs.  When we entered into this round of bargaining we believed the real main issue was health care, but it appears even if we moved significantly on that, it would not be enough for AT&T.  They want more, much more, that they do not even need, which is totally unacceptable to your elected Bargaining Committee.

We continue to work from lists of issues (proposals are well defined at this point in time) trying to reduce the number of items on the table.  It makes little sense to your Bargaining Committee to give up something we already had to get something we already have.  In our view the Company needs to move the retrogression off the table on many of these types of items, which would then leave the larger issues of Health Care/Benefit Treatment for New Hires, Converted Temporary Employees, Premises Technicians, Pension Improvements, Lump Sum Pension Options, Premises Technicians work, Work Rules, Wages, and Leveraged Titles to be dealt with. 

We will keep you posted as new information becomes available.

United We Bargain…………………..

Divided We Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/ATT Bargaining Report #127

August 25, 2009

This bargaining report is for Monday, August 24, 2009.  Discussions continued today with the bargaining committee again focusing on a package of issues and trying to reduce the number of bargaining items still on the table.  Issues that are still major sticking points in the current package of items the parties are working on are, AT&T proposals on the Employment Security Commitment, Success Sharing Plan, and no longer using volunteers first for overtime assignments.  AT&T continues to refuse to renew the existing Succesorship Clause, EO/ERB MOA, or make any improvements for Appendix I employees at the Corporate Call Centers.  

Health Care, Pensions, Premise Technicians, Wages, Leveraged Titles, Service Representative Task Force Agreement, and others are still on the table to be resolved.

We will keep you posted as new information becomes available.

United We Bargain…………………..

Divided we Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/ AT&T Bargaining Report #126

August 21, 2009

This Bargaining Report is for Friday, August 21, 2009.  Representatives from CWA and AT&T's Bargaining Committees met today to continue negotiations.  Discussions focused on employment security with AT&T wanting to carve out employees hired after April 4, 2004 and provide them with different options under the Job Offer Guarantee then employees hired prior to April 4, 2004.   CWA proposals would keep the agreement as is and include employees hired after the April 2004 date, keeping the JOG option the same for everyone.  The existing Successorship clause was also discussed again which would protect employees’ wages, benefits and working conditions in the event of a sale of a Company exchange. AT&T continues to refuse to renew this protection.  The existing Employment Opportunity/Enhanced Early Retirement agreement was also discussed which would provide enhanced options if follow the work options occur outside of the District.  AT&T continues to refuse to renew this agreement.  AT&T proposals will weaken the existing employment security net that exists today.  CWA continued to argue for the renewal of these existing agreements.

We will keep you posted as new information becomes available.

UNITED WE BARGAIN........................................

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #125

August 21, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, August 20, 2009. CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committees resumed Formal Bargaining sessions today.  Discussions took place on the following items; Night Differential/Night Tours, Cost of Living Adjustments, Strategic Alliance Agreement, Employment Security Commitment, Contracting Out Sub-Committee, Two-Hour Notification Committee, Successorship provision, numerous Supplemental Statements, and other items.  Some progress was made today, however; we are still far apart on the major issues.  The parties will continue to work to reduce the number of issues that are still on the bargaining table.  

The CWA Bargaining Committee will continue to review all proposals in hopes of reaching a FAIR and JUST Contract.  We will keep you posted as progress is made. 
 

KEEP THE FAITH------- 

UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………… 

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #124

August 14, 2009

This bargaining report is for August 13, 2009.  At this time there is no new information to report.

The following is an updated list of some of the issues that are still unresolved at the bargaining table: 

Wages

Cost of Living Adjustments

Health Care

Pension Increases

Lump Sum Pension Options at the GATT Rate

Renew distribution options for Service Pensions for active employees

Payments for Current Retirees

Premises Technicians Work, Work Rules and Pay

Service Representative Task Force Agreement

Decision Making Leave Prohibitions for Service Representatives

Leveraged Titles - 60% pay and 40% at risk based on sales

Incentive Plans

Voluntary Overtime

Night Differentials/Night Tour

Employment Security Commitment (Job Offer Guarantee)

Successorship Clause (protects employee wages, benefits and working conditions in the event of a sale of Company exchange/property)

Extensions of all Letters of Agreement unless specifically discussed that they will not be renewed

Memorandum Employment Opportunity Enhanced Retirement Benefit (EOERB) (if work is moved outside of the District employees can follow the work with improved options)

Savings Plan Improvements

Renew Supplemental Statement on no adjustment of Net Credited Service due to unpaid absence under approved FMLA

Appendix I Improvements

Renewal of all other Supplemental Statements

Retroactivity Payments

The following items have been Tentatively Approved subject to a final agreement being reached:

Temporary Employee Conversion

Travel Article Improvements

Vacations/Offering Vacated Weeks (renewed)

Assigned Overtime (renewed)

Vice President Approval for Service Emergency (renewed)

Temporary Employees off role having priority consideration for rehire

Agreement on Statement of Renewed Commitment (renewed)

Net Credited Service Tie- Breaker moved into contract

CWA Internal Appeal Procedures for Arbitration (renewed)

Presidential Council (renewed)

Card Check and Neutrality Agreement (renewed)

Military Leaves of Absence (with minor modifications)

MOA on Iraqi Freedom (renewed)

Motor Vehicle Usage Plan (employee removed can be challenged under just cause provision)

MOA on Service Leader (renewed)

MOA on Recovery of Overpayment (renewed)

MOA on Facilities Locate Work (renewed)

Recommendations of Good Job in 8 and Global Positioning System (renewed)

MOA on Four (4) Day Work Week (renewed)

Revenue Management Representatives Task Force Agreement (renewed)

Communications Consultant Task Force Agreement (renewed)

MOA on Hometown Job Security Commitment (renewed)

Monitoring Agreement (renewed)

MOA on Vacation Portability (renewed)

MOA on Expedited Arbitration (renewed)

We will update you as new information becomes available.

UNITED WE BARGAIN...........................

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #123

August 12, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, August 11, 2009.  At this time, the CWA Bargaining Committee has no new information to report. 

Please be advised that the next Bargaining Report will be posted when there is new information to share.  Until then, we would like to encourage all members to contact their Local Union Office for the latest schedule of Mobilization Activities.

UNITED WE BARGAIN……   

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!

THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS -----------

SIGN-UP A NON-MEMBER TODAY!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #122

August 11, 2009

This report is for Monday, August 9, 2009.

There is nothing new to report at this time.  No meetings were held today.

United We Bargain.....................

Divided we Beg!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #121

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA District 6 /AT&T Bargaining Update

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #120

August 7, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, August 6, 2009.  There were no meetings today between the parties.  The CWA Bargaining Committee utilized the day to assess its position on numerous bargaining proposals and review additional financial information.  Major issues that are still pending are Benefits, Premise Technicians work, pay and work rules, Service Representative Task Force Agreement, Leveraged Titles, and numerous others that are still unresolved.

CWA has various mobilization activities scheduled for today, and into this WEEKEND. 

Please check with your Local Union for specific details.

UNITED WE BARGAIN....................

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #119

August 6, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, August 5, 2009.  CWA and AT&T Bargaining Representatives met informally today, to continue discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement.  Progress to report was made today in the discussions concerning conversion of Temporary Employees, the Strategic Alliance Agreement, and Increases in the Reassignment Pay Protection Plan/Involuntary Surplus Tables.  Many major issues are still unresolved however; the parties are continuing to work to narrow the list and work toward an agreement.  

As we approach August 8, 2009 we must continue FULL SPEED AHEAD with our Mobilization Activities.  Please make sure to check with your Local Union for the implementation of our Phase III Strike Preparation Plan. 

Also, please click the link below to view the following music clip:

AT&T's Greed - Truckin'

United We Bargain.............

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #118

August 5, 2009

This Bargaining Report is for Tuesday, August 4, 2009.   Informal meetings took place today with the parties discussing ways to narrow the package further leaving only the more major unresolved items.

The CWA Bargaining committee is reviewing these items and hopes to respond tomorrow.

Please check with your Local Union for the most current Mobilization Activity schedules.

UNITED WE BARGAIN.........................

                                                   DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #117

August 4, 2009

This bargaining report is for Monday, August 3, 2009.  There is nothing new to report from the bargaining table today.

Our Mobilization is going strong, however; we MUST step up the pace!  We are kicking off our Educational Phase on AT&T's Foreign Outsourcing.  We will be targeting everyone everywhere to make sure that they have a clear understanding on our position AGAINST AT&T sending our Jobs to foreign countries at a time where we are experiencing economic stress and job loss at home.  THIS IS TOTALLY  UNACCEPTABLE for AMERICAN TELEPHONE and TELEGRAPH.  AT&T also continues to in-source workers from foreign countries, which also displaces jobs for various communities where these jobs are maintained.

As a reminder, please be ready to implement Phase III of our Strike Preparation Plan.  Strike schedules will be posted by noon on Thursday.  If you have any questions please check with your Local Mobilization Coordinator or your Local Strike Captain.

*****FOUR MORE DAYS UNTIL “D” DAY*****

UNITED WE BARGAIN.....................................

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #116

July 31, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday July 31, 2009.  There is no new information to report at this time.  Bargaining committee members will remain on call throughout the weekend.

Additional mobilization activities are scheduled for this weekend so members are urged to participate by contacting their Local Union for specific details on how to help. 

AT&T’s outsourcing of thousands of jobs to foreign countries is a dismal record and all American workers should be outraged. These are jobs that could be offered to thousands of workers right here in the communities where our members and their families work and live, supporting and building a stronger U.S. economy, and jobs for our kids and grandkids, our neighbors and jobs that have a decent standard of living.  Remember two thirds of the economy is driven by consumers and consumers are workers. The Outsourcing of thousands of what should be good American jobs is nothing more than Corporate Greed at its finest.

We plan to focus on this more in the near future.

UNITED WE BARGAIN --------------- DIVIDED WE BEG

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #115

July 30, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, July 30, 2009.  CWA and AT&T did not meet formally today.  There is no new information at this time. 

CWA District 6 has been totally engaged in Mobilization.  We must continue these efforts until we have reached a FAIR and Just Contract for ALL of our MEMBERS!  Full-page newspaper ads were purchased in most major cities in District 6.  These ads include AT&T's 6.2 Billion Dollar earnings for the first 6 months of the year.  A Company this profitable has no reason to be as GREEDY as they are demonstrating at the bargaining table.

Click the following link to see the full-page ad:

http://files.cwa-union.org/National/ATT/CWA_ATTads_f9.pdf

SHAME ON YOU AT&T

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #114

July 30, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, July 29, 2009.  The CWA Bargaining Committee continues to review and develop strategies over all the remaining items that are still on the bargaining table.  Additional options for a medical plan that were presented by AT&T did not impress the CWA Bargaining Committee as all they did was shift costs from one part of the plan to another.   No formal meetings were held today and there is nothing new to report at this time.

CWA wants to continue to remind everyone of our continued MOBILIZATION ACTIVITY.  PLEASE make sure that you contact your local for scheduled activities. 

Also, we are asking all officers as a precaution to update their Local's STRIKE schedules as we continue our bargaining process.

Next week we will be rallying AGAINST AT&T's Foreign Outsourcing.  It is high time AT&T LEAD BY EXAMPLE by keeping Jobs here in the United States.  AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH needs to help keep AMERICAN'S employed and STOP talking out both sides of their mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

STAY ENGAGED-----INVOLVED AND INFORMED!!!!!!

DON'T FORGET RED THURSDAYS AND BLACK FRIDAYS

UNITED WE BARGAIN................

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #113

July 29, 2009

This bargaining report is for Tuesday, July 28, 2009.  CWA and AT&T met today informally to continue discussions.  The Company provided some additional options for CWA to review on the medical plan.  CWA indicated they would consider the options.

We are still encouraging Locals to continue their own creative mobilization activities engaging all of their members.  Members are urged to keep in contact with their Local Unions for the latest mobilization updates.

Check out some of the most recent mobilization activity by District 6 in St. Louis, Missouri from Local 6300 by clicking on the following link: http://district6.cwa-union.org/news/taking-a-stand-for-bargaining-against-at-t-s-corporate-greed.html. 

UNITED WE BARGAIN------------DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!

Taking a Stand for Bargaining Against AT&T's Corporate Greed

July 28, 2009

View a slideshow of Local 6300 TAKING A STAND by clicking the link below:

http://www.cwa-union.org/att/video/local-6300-rally.html

CWA/AT&T BARGAINING REPORT #112

July 28, 2009

This bargaining report is for Monday, July 27, 2009.  The CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committee met today to continue negotiations.  The Company provided some answers to some of the Union’s questions pertaining to certain benefit items.  The Company also provided a chart to help track benefit treatment when individuals transfer from one bargaining unit to another or from Appendix J to another job within the core agreement.

The Union presented the Company with revised or counter proposals on Premise Technicians-Appendix J, Team Performance Award, a Joint Benefit Forum, and the Training Advisory Board. 

Some additional questions regarding the Success Sharing Plan and Leveraged titles were verbally answered by AT&T.

We will keep you posted.

CWA IS ENCOURAGING EVERY MEMBER TO GET INVOLVED AND……

MOBILIZE……MOBILIZE……MOBILIZE……MOBILIZE

IN SUPPORT OF YOUR BARAINING COMMITTEE.

Please check with your Local for the latest Mobilization Activity.

We must let the Company know that we are SERIOUS about bargaining a good CONTRACT!  The Company must UNDERSTAND that we are not going to stop our Mobilization activities until we reach a FAIR AND JUST Agreement!!

UNITED WE BARGAIN…………………

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #111

July 24, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday, July 24, 2009.  CWA and AT&T did not have any meetings today.  CWA is waiting for a response from AT&T on discussions that have already taken place on how the disagreements on AT&T's proposals on health care could possibly be resolved.  Currently there are no plans to meet this weekend but the CWA Bargaining Committee remains on call.

It is extremely important for ALL LOCALS to stay engaged in all Mobilization activity.  As you know we will be hand billing this weekend, so please check with your locals for details as to the time and location.  We also have Mobilization activity scheduled for next week.  In addition different Locals are scheduling rallies and informational pickets.  One of our main focus items is AT&T's FOREIGN OUTSOURCING of Thousands of Jobs that could be located in the United States.  After all it is American Telephone and Telegraph, remember!!!!  We must UNITE and SEND our message to AT&T TO KEEP JOBS IN THE United States and to stop outsourcing jobs to the Philippines and Argentina just to name a few.

Thank you for your continued support. We will keep you posted.

United We Bargain................

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #110

July 23, 2009

This report is for Thursday July 23, 2009.

There were no formal meetings today as earlier discussions between CWA and AT&T on health care are being researched and numbers crunched to see if solutions discussed are viable.  Additional solutions are still being considered by the CWA Bargaining Committee in ways to resolve the differences between the parties.  If any real progress can be made in this area it will depend on the outcome of these discussions, and how these possible solutions impact the plan economically.  CWA will have to weigh the results of these discussions once all the answers have been provided.  

Today, AT&T reported solid profit earnings for the second quarter of 2009.  AT&T reported a net income of $3.2 billion dollars.  This is not just a wireless company; the wireline built this Company, and it continues to help make AT&T a very successful and profitable company. 

Premises Technicians installed U-verse to over 248,000 customers in the second quarter to reach 1.6 million customers.  AT&T has said "they will continue to increase the backbone capacity to enhance the premier set of advanced global business solutions as they have said that this is AT&T's strength, and these are the drivers that will lead growth as the economy turns.”

AT&T also showed improved trends in consumer revenue connections.  Combined wireline consumer broadband and TV connections increased by 363,000 in the second quarter, and 1.9 million over the past year.  AT&T posted it's sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in consumer wireline revenues per household, up 2.1 percent.

Total second quarter wireline business customer revenues, which include results from enterprise, wholesale, government, education, medical and small to mid size business customers totaled 10.6 billion, after a 10.7 billion in the first quarter.

This shows that AT&T is a very profitable company.  Last year AT&T profited 12.9 billion dollars and they show to be on track for the same profits this year.  This is proof that the wireline side of the business is still a huge part of the success and profitability of At&t.  Let's continue to stand together and win this fight for a fair and just contract. 

Remember AT&T Executives don't just pull these profits out of the air.  Its CWA members and AT&T employees  through their toil on the job everyday that makes these profits for AT&T.  Contract negotiations is the time for AT&T to reward  CWA members for the hard work they do everyday and the extra mile that many CWA members go to take care of AT&T customers.

Members are urged to participate in Saturday's planed Mobilization Activities.  Please contact your Local Union for details.  These collective actions on the part of CWA members are critical to winning a fair and just contract from AT&T.  Hand-billing of key targeted locations has proven to be successful in the past and the CWA bargaining committee is urging strong participation across District 6.  We must keep our mobilization activities going strong and escalating those actions as needed until we reach an agreement with AT&T.

United We Bargain      -------------------------------   Divided We Beg  

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #109

July 23, 2009

This report is for Wednesday July 22, 2009.  Informal meetings continued today with the Company to discuss possible ways to bridge the disagreement over AT&T's  health care proposals.  CWA continues to press AT&T for a better health care option than what is being offered, and is discussing possible ways to modify those proposals to make them more acceptable.  The Committee is awaiting a response from the Company on these matters to see if any progress can be made on this issue. 

Members are urged to participate in Thursday’s and Saturday’s Mobilization Activities.  Please contact your Local Union for details.  This type of Hand-billing of key information at targeted locations has proven to be successful in the past.  Lets keep our mobilization activities going strong and escalate as needed until we have reached a fair and just agreement.

Don't forget Red Thursday, and Black Fridays.

United We Bargain -----  Divided WE Beg

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #108

July 22, 2009

This bargaining report is for Tuesday, July 21, 2009.  Today CWA and AT&T met informally to discuss the on-going negotiations.  There is no progress to report at this time.  CWA continues to consider options on health care proposals and strategy to bargain the best health care possible for our members and their families.

United We Bargain.......................

Divided We Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #107

July 21, 2009

This bargaining report is for Monday, July 20,2009.  CWA met with AT&T and the Company presented the Union with another updated package of Proposals for the Unions review.  The Company's proposal included a modified proposal on Health Care, Temporary Employees, Console Operator, Leveraged Titles, and Benefit Representatives.  The Company's position on their health care proposal was so ridiculous that the Union walked out of the meeting.

The CWA committee returned to their work room to further review the proposal, but on its face it is completely unsatisfactory, woefully inadequate, and without regard to the needs of our members and their families.

UNITED WE BARGAIN........................................

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #106

July 20, 2009

This bargaining report is for Saturday, July 18, 2009.  Friday evening CWA met with AT&T and the Company presented the Union with a updated package of Proposals for the Unions review.  CWA is reviewing those proposals.

Today, Saturday the Union presented to the Company revised proposals on Benefits, Wage Treatments, the Medical Plan, Temporary Employee Conversion, and improvements in the RPPP Tables and Involuntary Surplus tables.  The Union also asked questions pertaining to some of the proposals in the Company's package.

No meetings are planned for Sunday.

UNITED WE BARGAIN..................................

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #105

July 17, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday, July 17, 2009.  The CWA Bargaining Committee has been working diligently on a Comprehensive Bargaining Proposal to present to AT&T.  We anticipate that AT&T will present a package of proposals later today or early evening to bring the table up to a current status based on past informal discussions.

Plans are to work this weekend as needed.  We will keep you posted.

United We Bargain...................

Divided We Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #104

July 17, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, July 16, 2009.  CWA and AT&T bargaining Committees met today to continue negotiations.  The Union presented the Company with formal proposals on Temporary Full Time and Premise Technicians.  The Company was interested in what our response would be to their Medical Proposal, which was presented to the Union yesterday.  CWA stated that they were still in the process of reviewing the Company’s Medical Proposal.  The Company presented to the Union two revised letters pertaining to Pensions and Healthcare Benefits with some corrections.  After discussions, both parties agreed to continue negotiations tomorrow.  We will keep you posted.

United We Bargain..............

Divided WeBeg!!!!!

 

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #103

July 15, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday July 15, 2009.  The CWA Bargaining Committee has been waiting most of the day for the Company to respond to our proposals from yesterday.

It has been announced that CWA District 4 has reached a tentative agreement with AT&T in the Midwest.  This agreement does not apply to District 6.  We are continuing to bargain in an attempt to reach a fair, just, and equitable contract for our members here in District 6.

We will keep you posted.

United We Bargain..................... 

Divided We Beg!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #102

July 14, 2009

This Bargaining Report is for Tuesday, July 14, 2009.  The CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committees met today to continue formal negotiations. 

The Union presented the Company with a formal proposal on numerous benefit issues and wages. There was a lively discussion between the parties on these issues but no agreement was reached.   CWA told AT&T that in our view CWA made significant movement to attempt to resolve the differences between the parties on health care, pensions and post employment benefits. 

We will keep you posted. 

UNITED WE BARGAIN...................................

                                                                DIVIDED WE BEG!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #101

July 13, 2009

This Bargaining Report is for Monday, July 13, 2009.  The CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committees met formally today to continue negotiations.

In an attempt to move negotiations forward, the Company agreed today to reclassify their Last, Best and Final Offer to a May 12, 2009 Company Bargaining Proposal.  This is a positive move which will now allow the parties to move forward.

Your CWA bargaining committee worked this past Saturday and Sunday reviewing numerous documents and reassessing their bargaining positions.    The Union was also on several conference calls this weekend discussing other bargaining tactics.

Plans are to meet again with the Company this afternoon.  We will keep you posted.

UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………..................

                                                              DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #100

July 10, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday July 10, 2009.  There were no meetings between the parties today.  The CWA Bargaining Committee is calling on all members to continue to contact their Local Unions and get involved directly with the mobilization activities.  The time to mobilize is now more important than ever.    

UNITED WE BARGAIN----------------------------

                                                        DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #99

July 10, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, July 9, 2009.  There were no meetings between the parties today.  The Company continues to demand significant cost shifting on health care, while holding numerous other existing issues hostage to these demands.  The CWA Bargaining Committee is calling on all members to contact their Local Unions and get involved directly with the mobilization activities.  The time to mobilize is now more important than ever.     

UNITED WE BARGAIN----------------------------
  

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #98

July 9, 2009

This bargaining report is for Wednesday, July 8, 2009.  There were no meetings today between the parties.  The CWA Bargaining Committee utilized the day as a workday to study and review bargaining proposals and gather information from the field on pertinent issues.  

Plans are to meet with AT&T tomorrow.

UNITED WE BARGAIN---------------

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #97

July 8, 2009

This bargaining report is for Tuesday, July 7, 2009.  The CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committees continued negotiations.  Discussions included: Temporary Employees to Full Time, Pensions, Benefit Committee, Contracting, CWA Benefit Representative, and the Service Representative Task Force Agreement. 

The Union requested the status of requests to identify contracting by AT&T outside of the U.S and other data on Leveraged Titles and sales information on current Service Representatives.  The Union also presented the Company with additional information requests on Company Incentives programs.

We are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow.

ENGAGED...UNITED...MOTIVATED...AND DETERMINED!!

UNITED WE BARGAIN---------------
                    

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #96

July 8, 2009

This bargaining report is for Monday, July 6, 2009.  Bargaining continues between CWA and AT&T.  The topics discussed were Temporary Full Time (TFT) and Incentives.  The Union presented to the Company examples in reaching an agreement pertaining to our TFT proposal.  The Company will review the Union's proposal and respond accordingly.

Discussions continued pertaining to the various Incentive Programs with numerous questions being asked in the areas of contest rules, qualifications, payouts, and budgets. 

Both parties agreed to continue discussions tomorrow.

UNITED WE BARGAIN.....................................

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #94 and #95

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!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #93

July 2, 2009

This bargaining report is for Thursday, July 2, 2009.  Negotiations continue between AT&T and CWA.  The Company provided CWA with a brief overview on the Company's Incentive Programs.  The Union asked numerous questions pertaining to restrictions and budgets for these programs.  Discussions also took place pertaining to Temporary Full Time employees.

Both parties agreed to continue discussions tomorrow morning. 

UNITED WE BARGAIN..................                                                                           

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #92

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!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #91

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Powerful Healthcare Stories You Should Hear About

June 29, 2009

A few weeks ago, President Obama asked you to share your personal story about how the health care crisis has affected you and the ones you love. Hundreds of thousands of stories poured in from every corner of the country. The President and I have read through many of them ourselves -- and now I'm encouraging you to do so as well.

Read these powerful, personal stories from people in your area and around the country.

And after you do, please forward this note on to as many people as you can.

For folks who don't yet understand why health care reform is such an urgent priority, these stories make the case far better than any statistics ever could.

For those who support health care reform but haven't yet found the time to join our campaign, these stories provide more motivation than any speech any politician could ever give.

So please read these stories, pass this note on to everyone in your address book, and help us show everyone in America why fixing our broken health care system is a necessity that just can't wait:

http://healthcare.barackobama.com/stories

Thank you,

Vice President Joe Biden

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #90

June 29, 2009

This bargaining report is for Monday, June 29, 2009.  The CWA & AT&T Bargaining Committees met today to continue negotiations.  Discussions centered on the Strategic Alliance MOA and the roles of the Training Advisory Board and funding for that committee to promote additional training opportunities and the Benefits Committee.  Other issues discussed include the Cost of Living Adjustment to be active, Grievance time covered under the core agreement for other AT&T bargaining units, Bridging of Service from previous AT&T employment, maintaining follow the work provisions, and enhanced pension benefits under the Employment Opportunity/Enhanced Retirement Benefit Agreement.  The Company provided the Union with some information on Incentive Plans and work performed by the CWA Benefit Representative.

CWA reminded AT&T that the status quo needed to be regained if we were going to be able to move forward.  Some minor progress had been made but other major issues continue to be held hostage by AT&Ts demands to shift significant costs on the health care to bargaining unit employees.

Negotiations will continue tomorrow.

UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #89

June 29, 2009

This bargaining report is for Saturday, June 27, 2009.  The CWA & AT&T Bargaining Committees met today.  Discussions centered on the Service Representative Task Force Agreement and the need to maintain the agreement in tact.  Pension Increases tied to wage increases and maintaining the GATT Rate for Lump Sum Pension options, which the Company opposes and AT&T’s demand to institute the Pension Protection Act was also discussed.  Temporary Employee conversions were reviewed again with focus on the numerous locations where only 1 temporary employee is located versus current transfers on file.  The Union went over a list of status quo items that we have indicated repeatedly to the Company, that all of these items have to be reinstated so that negotiations could move forward.  CWA also covered a number of other union proposals that are still on the table and have not been addressed by the Company.

UNITED WE BARGAIN…………………

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #88

June 26, 2009

This bargaining report is for Friday, June 26, 2009.  Your CWA Bargaining Committee returned to the bargaining table to continue bargaining with AT&T.  CWA presented additional information on the mistreatment of Premises Technicians by management.  The Union made it perfectly clear that this type of mismanagement was totally unacceptable.

Discussions took place pertaining to the National Health Care Committee, National Transfer Plan, Evolving Technologies, Health Care, Benefits, Wages, Pension Increases,  Pension (GATT Rate), Premise Technicians, Success Sharing Plan, Employment Security Commitment , Temporary Conversion, Service Representative Task Force, Leveraged Title, DML Prohibition for Service Representatives, Incentive Plans, Strategic Alliance (JHCCCC), FMLA, Monitoring Agreement, National Transfer Plan, and Presidents Council.

The parties are scheduled to meet again in the morning.

UNITED WE BARGAIN…………………

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

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #87

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

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