Contract Negotiations

Today our Mobilizing Team began handing out flyers at Mobility and the COR Stores detailing the state of our current contract negotiations with AT&T. The Company is pushing for aggressive changes to our benefits, eliminating all but one to two paid sick days per year for all employees, and implementing a waiting period before a paid sick day can be granted for all employees. Currently, employees with eight years of service or more are entitled for paid sick days with no waiting period, while other districts enjoy this privilege after five years of service.

AT&T would also like to eliminate pensions for all persons hired on or after January 1st, 2013. Additionally, they are proposing no increases to the existing banded and BCB2 pension plans.

AT&T would like to cut short term disability in half. While the Company would like to move away from agreements in place with other districts on sick days, AT&T suggests that as other districts have agreed to 26 weeks of disability pay, District 6 should agree to the same.

AT&T would like to eliminate vacation payouts for all employees – no matter the reason for separation with the Company. Currently, if an employee is terminated for misconduct they are not entitled to pay for their unused vacation time. AT&T proposes that we accept the same treatment for employees who resign with proper notice or even retire.

Keep in close contact with your Union Steward as negotiations continue, and take the time to wear your CWA bracelets, buttons or ribbons. If you do not already have a CWA mouse pad, see the mobilizing team or a union steward and get one for your desk. It is important to continue to remind the Company that we stand united for a good contract!

District 6 Releases Bargaining Report #27

http://district6.cwa-union.org/news/entry/mobility_bargaining_report_27

We’ll let this report speak for itself. We’re deeply saddened by AT&T’s decisions, but very proud of our bargaining committee for standing firm for worker’s rights!

Contract Expired

The 2008 Labor Agreement has expired. We are receiving word that negotiations are ongoing at this hour.

UPDATE: The word at this late hour is that we will be working “without a contract” as negotiations continue; the Union and the Company have not been able to come to a tentative agreement at this time. We will continue to monitor the negotiations and keep everyone informed as news becomes available.