David Patton, along with additional delegates [TBD], will be attending an explanation meeting of the TA that we received on 12/22/2012. We will receive additional information and expect to be afforded an opportunity to ask questions so that we will leave with a better understanding. Members will have an opportunity to discuss the TA at our regular membership meeting, to be held on 1/8/2013. A date and time for the contract explanation meeting and ratification vote shall be forthcoming.

Additionally, David will be circulating a letter to all members and on all Union Boards on Monday, 12/31/2012. Your feedback in this process will be vital.


CWA District 6 and AT&T Southwest Announce a Tentative Agreement

A brief announcement with some highlights of the tentative agreement was made available to CWA 6203 today, and is attached below. Additional details will be expected to be available after the January 7th Contract Explanation Meeting for local officers. A time frame for ratification voting has not yet been announced.

4 Year Tentative Agreement

Update: The district has released a corrected version of the highlights of the 4 Year Tentative Agreement


Return on Investment, by William Richburg

One of our Stewards, William Richburg, has written an excellent essay on labor.  Our Local President, David Patton, has asked that we publish this on our website and share it widely.  You can find a permanent link to the essay at http://www.cwa6203.org/?page_id=659


2013 Bargaining Items

At our monthly membership meetings, the membership requesting that Local 6203 make available on our website the list of bargaining items discussed at the 2013 Bargaining Caucus, which was held 12/3/2012 – 12/4/2012.

Read the rest of this entry »


AT&T CarePlus — A Supplemental Benefit Plan

Participants, who receive electronic communications, will be sent a News Now or eBenefits message on December 14th, 2012. All other participants will be mailed a printed copy via US mail to the work/home address starting the week of December 14th, 2012 for receipt within 7-10 days.

What’s Changing?

This SMM describes benefits under the Program as of January 1st, 2013. While you should review the entire SMM, please note these important changes:

  • New procedures and/or services have been added;
  • Procedures and/or services covered under the base medical plans have been removed; and
  • Procedures and/or services that have had unfavorable clinical trials have been removed.

Questions?

Contact the AT&T Benefits Center at 877-722-0020 if you have questions regarding information in this SMM. To obtain a copy of any of your SPDs free of charge, call the AT&T benefits center at 877-722-0020.


December Monthly Meeting Reminder

The December E-Board and Membership meetings will be held on Tuesday, December 11th. The E-Board meeting will begin at 5:30 PM, with the general Membership meeting scheduled to begin at 6:30. The change of dates is needed due to a scheduling conflict with the CORE Bargaining Caucus in Austin.

This is a very important meeting, as well as many meetings to come, as we will be discussing bargaining items and updates. Please plan to attend to be updated on current events and bargaining updates.


Sign The AFL-CIO Petition In Support of Hostess Workers!

Please take a moment to sign the AFL-CIO Petition in support of Hostess workers.


Congress May Cut Your Benefits to Subsidize Massive Tax Cuts For The Wealthy

Our members of Congress are headed back to Washington for a few final weeks of business, in their so-called “lame duck” session. The work they do could prove to have devastating results for the future of working families.

Some legislators are determined to cut Social Security benefits, raise the retirement age for Social Security and Medicare, and cut Medicaid, forcing families into bankruptcy should a loved one need long-term care. The reason for these cuts? To provide outrageous tax breaks for the richest 2% of Americans.

This is not what America needs, and it is not what we voted for. Take a stand and tell our representatives to put working families first.

Call your members of Congress now at 888-659-9401 and tell them:

1. No more tax cuts for the richest 2% of Americans.

2. No benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid.


AT&T SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN

It’s that time again! Apply now: AT&T Scholarship applications open

To: All Employees with college-age dependents

What: Applications are open for our 2013 AT&T Foundation Scholarship Programs, for eligible dependents (up to age 26) of qualifying regular full-time employees who meet the program application criteria.

Again, this year we’ll fund two additional scholarship programs in conjunction with United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), for African American and Hispanic/Latino dependents of eligible employees.

When: Application period is Nov. 1, 2012 – Feb. 15, 2013

Where: * AT&T Foundation Scholarship Program, brochure, tips
* United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Program, brochure
* Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Program, brochure

Action Item: The selection process is highly competitive. Be sure to work with your children on their applications. You’ll want to make sure it truly reflects the entire scope of their accomplishments.

All applications must be submitted online by Feb. 15, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Additional Information:

The scholarships are for one academic year. Students receiving awards can reapply to the scholarship programs up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first.

Students can apply for more than one scholarship program. However, they can only be awarded one scholarship.

The AT&T Foundation along with representatives from Scholarship America, UNCF and HSF will host seminars to brief you on the program guidelines. There will also be time for you to ask questions about all the scholarship programs.

Scholarship briefing sessions: Click this link to join all sessions.

* Tuesday, Nov. 6, 10 – 11 a.m. CT
* Thursday, Nov. 8, 2 – 3 p.m. CT
* Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3 – 4 p.m. CT

To connect with your telephone only, please dial the bridge number 1-866-508-4604 and when prompted enter the event ID 8166819.


Election Day is Nearly Here

Early voting has ended, however the AFL-CIO is asking that any members who have time this weekend consider Phone Banking to reach out to those who have not yet voted. Please consider donating some of your time!