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CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #87June 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!!!!!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report # 86June 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 !!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report # 85June 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #84June 14, 2009
This Bargaining Report is for Sunday June 14, 2009. The CWA Bargaining Committee met again today to continue reviewing different potential Health Care Proposals in comparison with overall wages. There were lengthy discussions and analyses of the current discussions that were taking place with the Company on these matters. UNITED WE BARGAIN.................................... DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #83June 13, 2009
This Bargaining Report is for Saturday, June 13, 2009. The CWA Bargaining Committee met today to review and discuss additional Heath Care Proposals. They had a Conference Call with CWA Research to analyze Employee Cost pricing for different plans at different percentages. Your CWA Bargaining Committee is working diligently in reviewing, examining and considering ALL possibilities in looking out for OUR MEMBERS BEST INTERESTS. UNITED WE BARGAIN................................. DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Mobilization Bargaining Report #82June 12, 2009
This Bargaining Report is for Friday, June 12, 2009. The CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committees met to continue Negotiations. The Union discussed numerous proposals with the Company pertaining to Upgrades, Appendix I, Service Representative Task Force and Review Committee Recommendations, Bilingual Pay, Senior Consultants and Core Assigned Overtime in Appendix I. The Union also indicated that the Employment Security Commitment/JOG needed to revert back to its original language. Temporary Employees Conversion to Full Time, Use of Temps and Leveraged Titles were also discussed. UNITED WE BARGAIN..................... DIVIDED WE BEG!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #81June 12, 2009 This bargaining report is for Thursday, June 12, 2009. CWA met with AT&T to continue informal discussions. AT&T provided some numbers and information that CWA had requested so we could look at a different approach on health care. AT&T indicated they would make some revisions to the Employment Security Commitment/JOG and to the Temporary Employee Conversion proposal. Current Sales Incentive Plans were discussed and employees eligibility to participate in those plans. CWA indicated that we would consider these changes and respond. CWA brought forward several situations pertaining to AT&T’s UNACCEPTABLE behavior of Premise Technicians in areas dealing with work performance, appropriate counseling and development by management, and treating all employees with due respect. Exhaustion due to extensive work load, overtime, or heat due to working in attics, especially in spring and summer months and the need for time to recuperate without fear of discipline was discussed. The coverage of appropriate safety practices with Premise Technicians, especially for working in attics and now the requirement that Premise Technicians place ground rods. Things as common as filling an ice bucket in the morning vs. having to do it the evening before just so management can get PT’s out of the yard in 15 minutes. Ridiculing employees in front of their peers by giving them self resignation forms or placing condescending messages on bulletin boards that those at the bottom may wish to consider seeking other employment. Unfair efficiency ratings that do not take all issues into account. CWA indicated these things must be corrected and that it had to stop. If these types of things are going on in your workplaces, please report them to your Local Union. The parties hope to meet again tomorrow. UNITED WE BARGAIN………………
CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #80June 11, 2009
This bargaining report is for Wednesday, June 10, 2009. Today the CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committee met in informal bargaining sessions. Numerous items were discussed including the Employment Security Commitment, Job Offer Guarantee (JOG), On Call Duty, Force Adjustment, Severance Pay, Temporary Employees, Informal Surplus Memorandum of Agreement, Revenue Management Representative Task Force, Operator Services Task Force, Communications Consultant Task Force, Hometown Job Security Memorandum of Agreement, Appendix D Supplemental Statements, CWA/NETT, Vacation Portability Memorandum of Agreement, and Expedited Arbitration Memorandum Of Agreement. CWA questioned the status of other Letters of Agreements that were not raised by AT&T such as the Service Representative Task Force Agreement, MOA on Monitoring, extending the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), other supplemental statements that are currently in force, and change in custom and practice letters that CWA wants the Company to withdraw. There was a lengthy discussion in regards to Premise Technicians and their Wages and Work Rules. The Union stressed the importance that Premise Technicians needed major changes in these areas, and shared information received from the field on working conditions and treatment of Premise Technicians that were unacceptable. Other items discussed were Leveraged Titles, Pensions/Lump Sum Pay Outs, Partial Sessions Absences, and Presidents Council.
UNITED WE BARGAIN ...... DEVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #79June 10, 2009 This bargaining report is for Tuesday, June 9, 2009. Informal sessions took place today with the Company indicating they wanted to now move toward reaching a Final Agreement. The Company stated that they would like to know the Unions position on certain proposals. The Company presented a summary of a benefit plan we had not seen before. We advised the Company we would review the plan and respond appropriately. The BCB2 (Cash Balance Pension), Success Sharing Plan, Leverage Titles, Premises Technicians, and Wages were also discussed again. The parties reconvened informally in the afternoon and CWA indicated that we were maintaining our bargaining position on all of the items and that the Company should be well aware of our position. CWA indicated we needed the entire contract back on the table to move forward. CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #78June 9, 2009
This bargaining report is for Monday, June 8, 2009. The CWA and AT&T Bargaining Committees met today to continue negotiations. The Company provided information on the mail-order program at CVS Pharmacies and using a walk-in process to receive mail-order prescriptions. The Company stated that all CVS pharmacies would provide service to our members. The Company also provided additional information pertaining to future Retirees Vision. The Company stated that the information requested on Incentive Plans were still being collected. They also indicated that it was going to take some time to gather this information, since it was not centrally located. The Company would be referring the Union to a website that provides detailed information on the Marsh Plans, which provide various services to bargaining unit employees.
Discussions took place pertaining to the BCB2 (Cash Balance Plan), Pension, AT&T Retirement Savings Plan (ARSP), Catch up Contributions, and other provisions of the plan. The Union advised the Company that we would be reviewing the Medical Plan for New Hires and continue our review on the BCB2 (Cash Balance Plan) and the ARSP. We are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow.
STANDING TOGETHER……..
INVOLVED-------------ENGAGED---------------MOTIVATED------------
UNITED WE BARGAIN………… DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #77June 5, 2009
This bargaining report is for Friday, June 5, 2009. There were no formal bargaining sessions scheduled for today due to conflicting schedules and AT&T availability. The Union spent the day reviewing comparisons and other pertinent information specifically on the AT&T Retirement Savings Plan and the Cash Balance Pension Plan. These plans as proposed by AT&T would apply to New Hires, Converted Temp employees, and Appendix J employees who are not currently protected under the original Premise Technician MOA. Thanks to all of our MEMBERS for the OUTSTANDING TURNOUT in the signing of the, "Tell Stankey It Stinks Petitions" and the collection of the Stankey Letters. The Members HAVE SPOKEN------------THE LAST IS NOT THE BEST AND THAT'S FINAL! To view Andy Milburn's letter to Stankey, please click the link below: http://files.cwa-union.org/district6/090604_stankey.pdf UNITED WE BARGAIN............... DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! June 5, 2009
This bargaining report is for Thursday, June 4, 2009. The Union met with the Company in a formal bargaining session. AT&T provided some information on the National Transfer Plan, which we had requested. We pointed out to AT&T that their proposed Success Sharing Plan would not have produced 3 payouts in the last six years and that it would not have even been as much as the TPA minimum pay out produced even though AT&T made billions in profit each of those years. We pointed out that Management Performance Awards are not established based on stock price and that stock price was not the only indicator of a profitable company. This is blatantly unfair to the thousands of men and women who work hard every day to make AT&T billions in profits. Combined with AT&T's position on NO Cost of Living Adjustments, and shifting significant costs regarding health care onto the bargaining unit, AT&T is asking each of you take a much smaller piece of the pie than what you have had in the past. We also pointed out the recent Avaya Agreement and asked what is AT&T's problem since Verizon and Avaya have both reached agreements. We read an email from an abused Premise Technician (anonymous) on all the overtime they were working, and how they were being treated and told the Company "this is why we need a guaranteed 40-hour week and limits on overtime for Premise Technicians." We pointed out we had been notified that even more work had been contracted out and bilingual services were being contracted out by ASI. We discussed replacing the JHCCCC under the Strategic Alliance with a Benefit Committee, Training Advisory Board, Accelerated Technical Training Program, and meetings for the Presidents Council. Others items discussed were the Vision Plan for New Hires, Leave of Absence Policy, Life Insurance, Savings, and Investment. At the close of the session, we presented the Company with copies of the Tell Stankey it Stinks Petitions and notifying the Company's bargaining chair that the originals had been mailed directly to Mr. Stankey. To view Andy Milburn's letter to Stankey, please click the link below: http://files.cwa-union.org/district6/090604_stankey.pdf UNITED WE BARGAIN……………………… DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!! June 4, 2009
This bargaining report is for Wednesday, June 3, 2009. This morning CWA met with AT&T in a formal bargaining session. The Union asked numerous questions pertaining to the Prescription Drug Plan and being able to pick up mail order prescriptions from a local CVS pharmacy, versus them being shipped in the mail. The Union requested a list of the CVS pharmacies in the five state area by city so we could assess this option fully. The turn around time and implementation time line for this to occur was also discussed. The Union had a list of important questions pertaining to AT&T's Incentive Plan proposal. The Union would like to be sure that no employees will be excluded from participating in these programs, and whether the Company would continue to "gross up" on these plans. The Union requested additional questions on the AT&T proposal for the Success Sharing Plan, which would take the place of the Team Performance Award, but would be based solely on the rise of AT&T stock prices on a yearly basis. The SSP plan in its current form is clearly inferior to the existing TPA plan. Additional questions were raised on AT&Ts proposal on a National Transfer Plan, which continues to utilize the existing Intersubsidiary Movement Process and the existing Surplus Exchange program with some changes. The Company could not respond to all of our questions and will be providing additional information. Discussions around AT&T's Retiree Vision Proposal were discussed, which include a monthly premium and additional costs in the plan. Your CWA Bargaining Committee continues to see little value in many of AT&T's proposals that are included in their last, best, and final offer. We are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow. United We Bargain.......................... Divided We Beg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! June 3, 2009
This bargaining report is for Tuesday, June 2, 2009. There were no formal bargaining sessions today. CWA received a response from AT&T on some additional cost analysis issues on Health Care; however, AT&T did not find the information useful or relevant enough in their view to indicate any additional movement. We are scheduled to meet in a formal session tomorrow to continue discussions with AT&T. UNITED WE BARGAIN........................... DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! June 2, 2009
This bargaining report is for Monday, June 1, 2009. There were no formal bargaining sessions today so nothing new to report. CWA continues to await a response from AT&T on some new additional cost analysis issues on health care so discussions can continue. AT&T had indicated they had hoped to have the information some time today, but apparently it was not received from AT&T benefits. We hope to have something tomorrow.
CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #72June 1, 2009
This bargaining report is for Friday, May 29, 2009. AT&T provided cost data for its latest medical proposal and CWA reviewed the data with CWA research. The Union informally presented some health care numbers to the Company for discussion. Informal meetings may continue on Monday or Tuesday of next week. UNITED WE BARGAIN...............................
CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #71May 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.
NITED WE BARGAIN............................ DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #70May 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 #69May 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 Pre-register at: UNITED WE BARGAIN...................... DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #68May 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 #67May 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 #66May 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 #65May 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.
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 #64May 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............................
CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #63May 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 #62May 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. TELL STANKEY IT STINKS PETITIONMay 14, 2009
Please feel free to make copies of the attached petition, and have all of your co-workers sign it as soon as possible. Upon completion please forward it to your Local's office. All petitions must be mailed to the CWA District Office by Friday, May 22, 2009. http://files.cwa-union.org/district6/090514_petition.doc CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #61May 13, 2009
This bargaining report is for Wednesday, May 13, 2009. The CWA Bargaining Committee is reviewing the Company’s Last, Best, and Final Offer. Since there are several changes and new proposals included in this package that the Union had not seen, we plan to review each proposal thoroughly. We are building a list of questions to present to the Company to make sure we have a clear understanding of the Company’s inadequate proposal.
UNITED WE BARGAIN………………. DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #60 - CWA DISTRICT 6 RESPONSE TO AT&T SOUTHWEST'S LAST, BEST, AND FINAL OFFERMay 13, 2009
CWA/AT&T Bargaining Report #60 This bargaining report is for Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Today at 4:00 p.m. AT&T presented CWA with their Last, Best and Final Offer. Their package was well over one hundred (100) pages, which contained many items that the Union had not seen during the many weeks of Bargaining. This occurred one day after CWA had presented the Company with their Comprehensive Proposal, which the Company still has not responded to. In short, AT&T’s package contains MAJOR RETROGRESSION and is FULL OF TAKE BACKS.
Out of the five (5) Districts currently in negotiations, we are the ONLY Bargaining Committee to receive a LAST, BEST, AND FINAL OFFER. The Company was prepared with an eight (8) page, “AT&T News Now Article,” complete with a calculator, and a video from John Stankey, President CEO AT&T Operations addressing employees with the Company’s detailed version of their package. All this was planned at a time where the Company knew that all the CWA Local Presidents would be out of town attending a joint CWA/AT&T Common Interest Forum (CIF) Meeting, therefore would be unable to communicate with their members promptly. Keep in Mind, this was just the SECOND DAY after face to face bargaining with the Company had resumed.
LISTED BELOW ARE SOME OF THE COMPANY’S PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THEIR PACKAGE:
Wages
The Company’s Wage Proposal is as follows:
1st year - 2% and a $500.00 Lump Sum 2nd year - 2.25% 3rd year - 2.25%
This falls well below CWA’s proposal of:
1st year - 4.50% 2nd year - 4.25% 3rd year - 4.0%
Health Care
The Health Care Proposal the Company offered was well below what CWA had proposed. The Union’s Health Care Proposal DID NOT contain any employee premiums, which is money that would go right back to AT&T’s pockets, since AT&T is self insured. The Company has proposed different plans for current employee’s verses new hires and Appendix J employees. The Company’s proposed rates for current employees range from $5.00 to $45.00 per month, and up to 15% of the FULL PREMIUMS for New Hires. The Company’s projection for 2010 is that New Hires will pay up to $321.00 per month.
The Health Reimbursement Account (HRA’s) the Company is so PROUD of, will ONLY pertain to year one and two of the Contract and provides reimbursements in the range of $200.00 to $1,050.00 for CURRENT EMPLOYEES ONLY. New Hires ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for HRA’s.
Deductibles for New Hires run from $1,150.00 to $2,300.00 In-Network and $3,450 to $6,900.00 for Non-Network. Current employees deductible will range from $500.00 to 1,500.00 In-Network.
Premise Technicians
The Company’s proposal requires the Premise Technician to perform Group 1 Craft work for less than half the pay of other Technicians. The Company is also requiring the Premise Technicians to start climbing poles. This in turn will reduce the workload for Customer Service Technicians (CST's), which would create potential surpluses of CST’s, System Technicians, and Data Service Technicians. This meager proposal does not guarantee a forty (40) hour work week, does not contain a decent Retirement Plan nor does it contain a Retiree Health Care Package, which are proposals that CWA presented to the Company for consideration. The Union’s position is that the Premise Technicians benefits SHOULD NOT be different from ANY other employees in the Company.
CWA also presented proposals to the Company that included improved Work Rules for Premise Technicians, many of which would not entail additional cost to the Company. CWA has repeatedly asked AT&T to STOP treating the Premise Techs like SECOND CLASS CITIZENS!
The Company rejected the following Premise Technician Proposals:
*Improvements in Vacation Selection *Improvements in Overtime Rules *Improvements in Time and Title (30 months is longer than any other Job Title in our current Agreement.) *Improvements in Scheduling of Days Off *Improvements in Sick Pay
Leveraged Title and MOA’ s
The Company created titles in Appendix B for Consumer, Business, Credit, and Collections Organizations. Temporaries could be assigned and would retain Temporary Classification. Current employees could choose to go to Leveraged Job Titles with associated Compensation Plans. The Employee could retreat one time within six months.
The Union DID NOT REQUEST NOR DOES IT SUPPORT the, “New Sales Title.”
The Company will eliminate the Service Representative Title for both Consumer and Business, and Revenue Management Representative. The employees under this New Sales Title will get paid sixty (60) percent of the Service Representative base pay yet the Company fails to explain how to get paid for the other forty (40) percent of their wages.
The Company’s report also excludes the fact that AT&T refused to extend the Service Representative Task Force Agreement. This would eliminate Appointment Book Time, Emergency Time, Close Key Time, and Protection from Discipline (up to and including Dismissal) for employees who do not meet Sales Objectives, etc.
The Company also refused to extend the Monitoring, Operator, Communications Consultant, and Revenue Management Representative Agreements.
Employment Security Commitment
The Company’s proposal on the Employment Security Commitment (JOG) will be continued, but with some MAJOR changes. The JOG offer can be anywhere in the 5 state area in our current Internet or Legacy T contract. If a surplus candidate fails to qualify after taking two tests for jobs, their JOG Rights are canceled. CWA’s proposal extended the original ESC with the offer in YOUR scope and included jobs in the CURRENT CONTRACT only and allowed unlimited times to test qualify for a job. The Company can also cancel the ESC at anytime due to any fluctuation in economic or business conditions as determined by the Company. The Company has canceled the agreement before, prior to 2004 bargaining when it was reinstated after a 4-day strike.
The Company’s proposal on temporary reclassification agrees to reclassify most of the temporary employees to regular employees. The Company failed to mention that these employees will acquire “New Hire Benefits.” The CWA's proposal made these jobs available to regular employees who have been waiting up to 4 years to transfer to jobs through the Job Vacancy Article. CWA’s intent was to protect our senior member’s right to these positions through the Job Vacancy. At the same time, we proposed to convert these Temporary Employees to Regular Full Time, either in place if there is no job vacancy on file, or backfill behind a Regular Full Time that had moved based on this process.
Success Sharing Plan
The Company has introduced a Success Sharing Plan, which will replace our current Team Performance Award (TPA). This proposal was NEVER discussed with the CWA Bargaining Committee; however it was included in the Company's Last, Best, and Final Proposal. Our current TPA guarantees a minimum of $500.00. The Company’ s NEW Success Sharing Plan has NO guaranteed income for your HARD WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
Lump Sum
The Company’s proposal for the Lump Sum Pension Payout upon Retirement will use a guideline set forth in the Pension Protection Act of 2006. This is only one of the Guidelines the Company has chosen to DECREASE your Pensions by a SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT. The Pension Protection Act allows for the use of the GATT Rate, which is what CWA has been attempting to negotiate. CWA strongly believes you’re entitled to the BEST PENSION CALCULATION.
Health Care
The Union proposed co-pays, instead of Co-insurance, which is 10% Network and 40% Non-Network. The Co-pays would have been $5.00 increases for Office Visits, Emergency Room, Urgent Care. and Hospital Stays. The Company’s offer for Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximums for current employees run from $2,500 to $5,300. The New Hires have three (3) options from $4,350 to $34,800. This Committee can not imagine almost $35,000 a year for any employee to pay. The Company proposed prescription drugs at retail from $10 to $60 and mail-order from $20 to $120.
We must remind you that the Company information listed mostly 1st year items, forgetting to tell you about escalators in the 2nd and 3rd years that even the Committee can not find out exact figures for you. The Committee attempted to keep the same benefit plan with everyone knowing exactly what the cost would be for all three years. There are many differences between what the Company has proposed and what the Committee has attempted to do.
Considering that AT&T made $12.9 Billion in profit in 2008, the Company proposal on Pension improvements is a minor 1% increase per year for all 3 years, while the Committee request was the same as wages at 4.5%, 4.25%, and 4%. This continues to reduce the percentage of pension in relation to your overall salary, putting more pressure on your 401K, and future Social Security income to maintain your standard of living in your retirement years. The Company offer would calculate lump sums beginning on January 1, 2010 in a different method as previously discussed; further reducing the lump sum amount, while the Committee offer would continue the same method of calculations. New Hires and Appendix J employees will not have the same pension. The Company proposal will offer a Cash Balance Plan.
401K Savings Plan
The 401k Savings Plan will remain at the same matching rate of 80%, while CWA’s proposal would have raised to 100% match for current employees.
The Company’s proposal for benefits is different for current employees who will retire during the Life of this Agreement. This will involve keeping up with five (5) different types of benefits and/or employee/retirees. What Company in their right mind could come up with a system like this?
On a BITTER NOTE: The Company’s proposal makes no reference to our many, retirees and their dependents! These are the employees who built this Company, and yet the Company refused to Bargain for Retirees, attempting to justify their actions by stating the RETIREES benefits run through the end of the year, at which time the Company would make a decision. WHO in their right mind would want their benefits left up to the discretion of the COMPANY? Just look at what AT&T has already done to their own managers and supervisors.
NO RETIREE BENEFITS---NO CONTRACT!!!!!
CWA’s proposal would allow all employees, active, retired, future retired, new hires, and Appendix J, to be covered by the SAME BENEFIT PACKAGE!!!!
Retirement
CWA’s proposed Pension Bands to go up 4.50% the first year, 4.25% the second year, and 4.0% the third year. The 1% EACH YEAR the Company has proposed is an INSULT. The Company states few companies are offering such enhancements. The truth is, few companies made $12.9 Billion in PROFITS in 2008, and are on target to make greater profits in 2009; however, AT&T IS!!!!
Letters of Changes in Custom and Practices:
The Company also refused to withdraw Letters of Changes in Custom and Practice, which include substituting paid contractual time for unpaid Family Leave of Absence (FMLA). Eliminate payment for Partial Session Absence and Assignment of Overtime on a voluntary basis.
LISTED BELOW ARE MANY ITEMS THAT EXIST IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT, BUT WERE NOT RENEWED BY THE COMPANY IN THEIR LAST, BEST, AND FINAL OFFER.
1. Memorandum of Agreement on Monitoring 2. Service Representative Task Force and Review Committee 3. MOA Vacation Portability 4. No Successorship Language in any Exchange Sale 5. No GATT Rate for future Lump Sum Pensions 6. Revenue Management Representative Working Group Recommendations 7. Operator Services Task Force Recommendations 8. Communication Consultants Joint Leadership Forum Recommendations 9. Hometown Job Security Commitment 10. Employment Opportunity/Enhanced Retirement Benefit 11. Night Differential Language Change-Night Differential will begin at 7:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m., as it currently is. 12. No Joint Health Care Cost Containment Committee 13. Memorandum of Agreement on Evolving Technologies 14. Cost of Living Adjustment 15. Expedited Arbitration 16. No Team Performance Award 17. Console Operator Protection under Supplemental Statements 18. No prohibition on DML’s and dismissals for Service Representatives solely for adherence performance. 19. One less Union Benefit Rep if needed. 20. No continued promotion of CWA Nett.
While AT&T says, “Virtually all Southwest Wireline Employees covered by the Core Contract will see a positive financial impact under this offer” with all the retrogression, take backs, and cost shifting that are in this package; CWA believes it is the Company and the top Executives at AT&T that will be coming out the best. There is nothing new in their package that truly rewards any of you for the hard work and dedication that you have shown AT&T, and the recognition that it is your toil, that makes AT&T 12.9 billion in profits. This contract offer by the Company does not even come up to the status quo, and they are attempting to run rough-shod over your elected Bargaining Committee and circumvent the bargaining process. This contract offer is substandard for a company that just made $12.9 billion in profits last year, and is already on track this year to do just as well, despite a down economy. Already this year, the Company has spent $3.4 billion in buying up other Companies from the time we kicked off bargaining in February. AT&T Executives have plenty of money to buy up anything they think they want or need, but yet don’t seem to have enough to provide you with a decent contract, or at least one that your elected committee could agree with. AT&T really shows their employees how much they are WORTH AND HOW WELL THEY ARE ALL APPRECIATED.
DON’T FALL FOR AT&T'S SLICK AND FANCY SPIN AND PROPAGANDA. OVERALL THEIR PACKAGE IS INADEQUATE.
CWA STANDS . . .
Together, United, and We Stand Shoulder to Shoulder against AT&T's Corporate Greed!
UNITED WE BARGAIN ........................................
DEVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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