DISTRICT 6 TENTATIVE AGREEMENT RATIFIED

The CWA/AT&T SOUTHWEST CONTRACT has been ratified. Ratification passed by 59%. We thank the 2009 CWA Bargaining Committee for their strenuous work of difficult bargaining and dedication in their efforts to get the best possible contract due to the economic & health care crisis & other bargaining units settling contracts in previous months.

LOCAL 6203 RATIFICATION VOTE RESULTS- 2009 TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Last day to vote was yesterday, Thursday, 11-05-09. The ballots were also counted that afternoon at 4:45pm. The results were:

YES 111

N0 51

Local 6203 majority vote was YES to ratify the 2009 CWA/AT&T-SOUTHWEST Tentative Agreement.

District 6 Tentative Agreement

A Contract Explanation Meeting was held on 10-22-09 regarding the TA. All topics in the TA were covered. There was some confusion regarding the Leverage Title. Clarification is—IF & WHEN the Leverage Title comes to the Lubbock BUSINESS Call Center Service Representatives will have the option to remain as a Service Representative or change to the Leverage Title. At this time, the Leverage Title is only an option for RESIDENCE.

Also, we have additional dates & times for those of you who were not able to attend the explanation meeting to vote. The available dates are: Tuesday, 10-27-09, from 8:00am to 7:30pm & Tuesday, 11-03-09, during our regular monthly membership meeting at 6:30pm. The voting will take place at the Union Hall located at 405 50th St.

District 6 Working Without A Contract

The company presented their Package of Proposals for consideration on Thursday afternoon, September 24th. CWA is currently reviewing these proposals. Bargaining continues on the topics of Leveraged Title, Service Representative Task Force Agreement, Closed Key Time for Service Representatives, Incentive Plans, Two Hour Notice Committee Recommendations, & Utilizing Volunteers first for Overtime assignments. Some progress has been made, although, there are still major unresolved issues that both sides will continue to work on.

District 6 Working Without A Contract

The company provided documentation in reference to the Leverage Title. As we all know the company has a proposal of a 60% wage scale with 40% at-RISK. The Leveraged Representative must qualify in order to be eligible for any part of the 40% payout. To begin with, the Leverage Title must meet the number of Calls Handled and the Productivity percentages in order to qualify. IF they do not meet BOTH of those objectives they are disqualified from any form of payout. In addition to meeting all of these targets, the Leverage Title is required to meet at least 50% of the sales objective in each category to be paid out in each of those categories. This is UNBELIEVABLE!

Also, discussions took place regarding the renewal of the Service Representative Task Force Agreement(SRTFA). The company is very adamant about changing the current language, particularly the protections for Service Representatives that do not meet the Sales Objective. The company also wants to delete the Average Handling Time & Adherence section of the Agreement. The company has REFUSED to renew the SRTFA in its entirety. Losing the protections of this Agreement would mean that current Service Representatives that are less than satisfactory in Sales would NOW be subject to discipline.

Discussions also took place pertaining to the PREM TECH job responsibilities. Prem Techs’ wages would increase by $3.25 an hour WITH the REQUIREMENT that they perform ALL inside work, including Home Networking.

The company was to present the Union with a complete package of proposals as of Thursday, 09-24-09. AT&T notified CWA that there has been a delay & should have the package ready by noon today, 09-25-09

District 6 Working Without a Contract

Yesterday, CWA & AT&T formally met to continue negotiations. Items such as: Leveraged Titles, Premis Technicians, Benefits, Service Representative Task Force Agreement, Pensions, TFT positions, Current Employees, Treatment of New Hires along with several others were discussed. CWA indicated we were willing to work on some of the Company issues IF AT&T was willing to work on some of ours. The company indicated they were not willing to make any additional changes on Wages or make significant changes from previous discussions regarding Prem Techs or treating Converted Temporary employees like New Hires under the benefit plans. Please see Report #133 for more details.

District 6 Working Without A Contract

CWA and AT&T met yesterday after the Labor Day break to continue bargaining with extensive discussions on Wages & Health Care. A revised health care plan was presented for the Union to consider. The Union will thoroughly review the plan to see if it is worthwhile. Our bargaining committee continues to research & consider other possible ways/options that would benefit our members & negotiate a Fair and Just Contract.

Please stay strong and continue supporting our Bargaining Committee. They are STILL fighting for us.

District 6 Working Without a Contract

AT&T continues to refuse to make any movement on the remaining items that are still on the bargaining table. Also, it appears that AT&T is unable to bargain with more than one table or district at a time as we have seen with District 4 & 9, but not yet in District 6. CWA Bargaining Committee was released to return home on August 27th & will return to the bargaining table after the Labor Day break as a result of these facts. Our bargaining committee continues to work for us and they are committed to get the best possible contract. Please continue to stay strong and uphold your support for our bargaining team.

District 6 Working Without A Contract

Yesterday, CWA Bargaining Committee had heated exchanges with AT&T regarding the company’s demands to modify or regress on many issues. The company is not willing to move on these issues unless CWA gives up more. Our Bargaining Committee states it makes little sense to give up something we already “had” to get something we currently have. CWA wants the company to move the retrogression off the table on many items which would leave the larger issues to be dealt with. See Report #128. As always, please continue to support our Bargaining Committee.

District 6 Working Without a Contract

Our bargaining committee continues trying to reduce the number of bargaining items that are still on the table. Major issues that they are still working on are: Employment Security Commitment, Success Sharing Plan, and no longer using volunteers first for overtime assignments. AT&T continues to refuse to renew the existing Successorship Clause, EO/ERB MOA or make any improvements in Appendix I.

Other items that are still unresolved are: PREM TECHS, Leveraged Titles, Pensions, Service Representative Task Force Agreement, Health Care