Curtis Martin On The District 6 & AT&T Southwest Tentative Agreement

My name is Curtis Martin, and I serve as a Steward for CWA Local 6203. Additionally I serve as the local’s Legislative Coordinator, Mobilization Coordinator and President of the Lubbock Central Labor Council. Apparently, titles matter to some people. I’d like to take some time to talk about this tentative agreement, which is largely unchanged from the TA District 6 already resoundingly voted down.

Brothers and Sisters, does our bargaining committee truly believe that 5 additional days of early bargaining is the best they can do for the members of District 6? What motivates the committee, along with District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings to try to frighten and bully the membership into changing their votes from no to yes? Why is District 6 using vote suppression techniques, mailing individual ballots out to what they “think” are the current addresses of our members, rather than allowing members to vote through their locals? Why does Vice President Cummings and his bargaining committee feel that our members don’t deserve a fully engaged team who are willing to go the distance and bargain for substantial gains?

District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings writes “I believe that we have negotiated a solid contract. I also believe that AT&T Southwest will attempt to “take back” the positive improvements we have made in this tentative agreement if we seek to return to the bargaining table.” Mr. Cummings, I disagree that we have negotiated a solid contract. At CWA Local 6203’s explanation meeting for the previous TA, a member asked Staff Representative Charlie Torres if he felt that TA was better or worse than the 2009 agreement. Mr. Torres stated, when asked, that the TA was worse than then 2009 agreement. This TA is largely unchanged from that TA, and is absolutely worse for the membership than the 2009 agreement. Mr. Cummings, when you say you ‘believe’ that AT&T Southwest will attempt to ‘take back’ the positive improvements in this TA should we go to regular bargaining, are you trying to frighten or intimidate the members you were elected to serve? Of course AT&T Southwest’s bargaining committee will negotiate the best deal for AT&T that they can – it’s their job. It’s our bargaining committee’s job to do the same thing for our members, and I strongly feel that they can do far better than they’ve bothered to do thus far.

Bargaining Committee member Chad Barnhill writes “Ask you neighbors, people you attend church with or family members what they are currently paying for healthcare.” He seems to believe that our Union should accept massive increases in healthcare because our non-union neighbors pay more for healthcare than we do. Mr. Barnhill should be ashamed of himself. Mr. Barnhill, please take the time to learn even just the basics of the history of the Union Movement. Our parents and grandparents did not fight their entire lives for you to surrender what little they’ve gained so readily.

Bargaining Committee member Joshua Kayser writes, in reference to returning to regular bargaining, “there will be no $1000 signing bonus”. Mr. Kayser, who cares about a $1000 lump sum payment when faced with the prospect of raises that don’t even attempt to keep up with the rising cost of living? That lump sum is nothing more than a bribe designed to trick the membership into selling out their own futures.

Bargaining Committee member Gerald Murray writes that he supports this tentative agreement without saying anything of substance other than to assert that he has leadership skills. I’ve seen no evidence, Mr. Murray.

Bargaining Committee member Jason Peavler writes, in addition to the same song and dance about a ratification bonus “The Leverage Service Representative Sales committee meeting was increased from 2 to 4 meetings a year with 2 additional Leverage Reps on the committee.” Great start. Let’s get back to the table and make sure that this committee has the ability to actually accomplish positive change for our members!

Bargaining Committee member Glynne Stanley writes “This agreement has better wage increases, less medical premiums, and better protections for our Customer Service Technicians and Service Representatives than the previous three CWA-ATT Contracts ratified in 2012.” We have heard the bargaining committee and District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings talk repeatedly about how our medical premiums are lower than the other districts that have ratified contracts. What they like to omit is that our premiums are lower by $5 per month. Now five dollars is a great start, I’ll admit it, but it’s far short of the heroic victory this bargaining committee seems to think it is. Get back to the table and bargain!

District 6 Staff Member Mike Neumann writes more of the same; there’s a one time $1000 bonus, the premiums are lower (lower by $5), etc. He says nothing of substance whatsoever. The same can be said for Staff Member Charlie Torres’ flaccid endorsement of this tentative agreement.

Finally, District 6 Staff Member Tony Shaffer writes “I say shame on you that have questioned the integrity of your fellow brothers that are dues paying members and have to live with the same contract.” and “Bargaining is about getting the best contract for all the members, not just a certain title.” Agreed, Mr. Shaffer. Shame on the elected officials and staff of District 6 who tell stories about ‘know nothing kids with three months service’ and don’t deserve better than they have. Bargaining is, indeed, about all members. Mr. Shaffer also writes “These CEO’s are all on each other’s board of directors and work on their bonus’ and salaries along with how to union bust. They have implemented a top-down mentality with corporations having the same business model. I have sat on Verizon’s bargaining table twice, Dish Network, Comcast several times and now with ATT. All of their philosophies are almost identical. They post record profits quarter after quarter, but come to the table and say how much they are losing in certain areas, except in the bottom line, PROFIT. “ Mr. Shaffer, the fact that companies are behaving more and more aggressively when it comes to unions and bargaining does not mean that we should rush to settle for poor and mediocre deals; now is the time for us to redouble our efforts and fight the good fight.

Mr. Shaffer also writes “I have also been to a few contract explanations that frankly, appalled me. One in particular didn’t even show respect enough to hear the explanation. They voted before it started. Not sure why, but it spoke volumes.” Mr. Shaffer, when these explanation meetings consist of staff reading, verbatim, the explanations that have already been e-mailed out, it’s no surprise when some members elect to vote and move on with their lives. It may surprise you, but we do know how to read.

Let’s return briefly to Mr. Cummings, who writes “Some members raise the possibility of going on strike. We all need to think long and hard about that. How long could we sustain a strike? Would it be effective? How long are you willing to stay out? A strike among 22,000 workers is a huge responsibility for all involved, with no guarantee of a positive outcome.” Mr. Cummings, why are you working harder to protect the CWA Strike Fund than you are your members?