For almost two months we have attempted to negotiate with the company. We have entertained numerous company proposals with great trepidation. In good faith, we expected the company to bargain with us over our proposals. But, unlike recent rounds of bargaining, the company refuses to give any genuine consideration to our demands.
Today at the common interest table, the bargaining team presented the company counter proposals on benefits and wages. The team also met at the main table and presented the company a package, which they seemed elated to receive. We are patiently awaiting their response, with the expectation they accept our admirable package.
Our bargaining team has been working hard to reach a tentative agreement and settle contract negotiations. At one time, it seemed that AT&T also wanted to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, AT&T's antics over the last two days have sent a clear message that the company has little interest in reaching a timely agreement with CWA that will improve the standard of living for our members.
Your bargaining team is continuing to narrow the gap on work rules, through package bargaining and tough negotiations. The team still has some major hurdles to overcome on wages and benefits. The company continues to use 'funny' math when costing our requests. As we work without a contract, remember to work to the rule. Be prepared.
Mobilize, Mobilize, Mobilize!
The Utility Operations bargaining team met with the company on Friday, August 9, 2019, to continue bargaining a fair contract. The company gave us a package proposal that the team is currently looking over. At first glance, I can tell you it is not something that we can accept and bring back to the members. We will review the package and make counter proposals that benefit our members.
The contracts, which cover over 22,000 members at AT&T Southeast, Utility Operations, & AT&T Southeast Billing have expired, with many critical issues including; job security, wages, healthcare, and others yet to be resolved.
The company has presented its first wage package, and it is not up to par. Your bargaining team is preparing counters, so that we can position ourselves closer to an overall agreement. If you do not know who your local’s strike captain is, reach out to the local and find out. Remember, the contract extension expires Saturday at midnight. Make sure you are prepared. Mobilize, Mobilize, Mobilize.
Over the last two days, the bargaining team has continued to work diligently to piece together the remaining open issues and reach a tentative agreement. With the contract extended to Saturday, the company seems to be willing to make an effort to reach an agreement. Of course, it remains to be seen whether they will move enough. Many major parts of the puzzle like wages, benefits, and job security are still being discussed. Continue your mobilization efforts, they are noticed.
Early this morning the Utility Operations bargaining team met with the company to discuss the issues that were still on the table. We had a lengthy and in depth dialogue around our issues, and why they are imperative to our members.
In addition to wages and benefits, our members need job security, better working conditions and a better quality of life. We will not stop until our demands are met.
Today, your bargaining team met in caucus, awaiting the company’s response to our most recent comprehensive proposals on healthcare and work rules. It remains unclear whether the company is serious about negotiating a fair contract, or if they will respond with more preposterous, retrogressive proposals that benefit only the corporation and not our members. We remain far apart on key issues like benefits, illness days, call monitoring, and a defined surplus process for Wire Technicians.
Today, we are going to meet with the company and present counters on healthcare and their most recent comprehensive package. We are anxiously awaiting the results of District 4’s ratification vote. Bear with us as we move methodically towards an overall agreement. Thanks to Local 3101 and the Florida locals for the T-shirts. Also, thank you to all the locals and affiliates that traveled to Atlanta for the rally on Saturday.
After nearly two months of bargaining, AT&T has failed to offer us the contract that our members deserve. In the midst of making record profits and raising dividends for stockholders, AT&T has once again come to the bargaining table asking their employees to make concessions. We have made it clear to AT&T that there will be no give backs in this round of negotiations.
Our bargaining team is scheduled to meet with the company this afternoon. Yesterday evening, we presented the company a comprehensive package that would move us closer to reaching an agreement. Thus far, our bargaining team has reached tentative agreements on certain provisions of the partnership educational assistance program, tuition aid, military service, and improvements to the Article 7 force adjustment process.
Last night, the bargaining team met with the company. The company rejected our comprehensive proposal and presented another draconian proposal, which fell well short of anything we could accept. We have arranged another counter package to present the company today, and we expect a realistic response.
Thanks to Local 3704 for our lunch. Prepare! Mobilize! Engage!
Yesterday, we received a comprehensive package proposal from the company. After giving the package its due consideration, we determined it is far short of what our members deserve. Last night and this morning, we continued compiling our extensive counter package, which encompasses all the things we are fighting to gain. We will present our counter to the company today and await their response. Thanks to the D3 Mobilization Team for lunch.
Today the company presented another mediocre healthcare proposal. The company continues to say they sincerely want to reach an agreement before expiration, but based on their proposals, it is ostensible they are not serious about getting a deal. It may be time for the membership to show the company how serious we are about reaching an agreement with improvements for all our members. Mobilize! Mobilize! Mobilize!
Today we met with the company and passed several counter proposals to issues we have previously discussed. The company said they hear us loud and clear on our issues, and will take that information back to their team. They have told us that they are working on a package of proposals that will address our needs.
Due to events scheduled around 2019 bargaining with AT&T Southeast, we have rescheduled our next District 3 town hall conference call.
On Thursday 08/01/2019 at 6:10 P.M. Eastern / 5:10 P.M. Central, the CWA District 3 Office will be hosting a town hall conference call with CWA members across District 3 to provide an update on contract negotiations with AT&T. We will also be taking questions directly from CWA members.
Virginia Chesney’s 100th birthday isn’t until November, but the former telephone operators’ annual reunion is always in July at CWA Local 3805 in Knoxville Tennessee, so she and her old colleagues celebrated a little early. Chesney, who retired from the Bell system as group chief operator of information services, moved to Knoxville in 1947 after starting her switchboard career in Lexington Tennessee when she was 18 years old.
We have made some movement towards reaching a tentative agreement. Thus far, we have agreed to some clean-up language, addressed issues regarding the contractual language on safety in the UFO Addendum, addressed issues for members who serve our country, and a plethora of modifications to the surplus process. We are working hard to close the gap and make improvements for the membership. Mobilize, Mobilize, Mobilize.
The Utility Operations bargaining team would like to first send out our sincere apologies for not posting more updates surrounding bargaining. We have met with the Company and movement has been slow. Negotiations have been slow because several our main proposals surrounding wages, benefits, and quality of life are at the common interest table (CIT). The bargaining team took a break from negotiations this weekend, but we are back on the grind today.
Today your bargaining team caucused and deliberated the next course of action in response to the company's retrogressive bargaining tactics. The Company has preached their desire to come in on time, yet yesterday their actions sang a different tune. As we reach expiration, it is apparent that the only way to get the company to move on their childish stance is for our membership to send a loud message that we are prepared for a war they do not want.