News

On Thursday, December 6, 2018, the parties met and exchanged several counters. We bargained intensely, and the Company provided some data that we questioned. This bargaining has been made even more difficult by the fact that the Company has provided information and data that is inaccurate or incomplete. The Company apologized to CWA for the inadequate responses to our information requests. The Company rejected all 7 proposals that CWA made.

Bargaining Update for days: 12-3-2018 12-4-2018

The last two days have been pretty active with both sides making some movement on the smaller issues. Unfortunately, there has been little movement on the major sticking points like Term pay, Severance pay, Average pay, Vacation, Sick and PPT days.
We have submitted counter proposals and are waiting on the companies response.

There will be call this Wednesday 11/28/2018 at 7pm to briefly talk about this status of this round of CWA/DEX-YP bargaining. ONLY members will be permitted on the call.

The Company grew frustrated and indicated they are seeking a contract this week. Two thoughts, District 3 has only been bargaining for less than three weeks collectively. 2nd CWA again expressed receiving incorrect data was disrespectful and intentional. There is no way CWA would/could bargain without the correct data. The company presented their Last best Offer for full settlement. We are still so far apart on accepting this offer. All of their proposals are retrogressive.

Your Bargaining Team reconvened today with a full agenda aimed at getting an understanding from the company on their stance on the following items: Seniority, Termination pay, Vacation, PPT, Sick Leave, Pension, Average Pay, Sales Drive Comp plan just to name a few. The company explained their position on all of the above-listed items which were not a great dialogue on the actual concept of bargaining. “Bargaining in good faith approach.”

On 10/25/2018 bargaining team had a conference call to review the new data that was provided to us. During out last in-person session, the company, submitted wrong data to CWA for us to examine. This quite troubles some. This has been the constant theme with DEX/YP. This was a very brief call, our Bargaining team voiced their concerns about the inaccurate data and suggested it appears intentionally. and told them we are not reconvening until the company’s data is accurate.

Today, the company provided a “real” result comparison between the current pay plan versus the company’s Sales Drive plan. Some vital data was missing, but the results provided were not promising. Unfortunately, we expect the results to be even more dismal when all the data is compiled. We also reviewed the 2019 benefits package.

The bargaining team met today with the company. The company presented additional info on Sales Drive which provided a clearer picture of the new sales compensation plan they want to implement with the new contract. The bargaining team presented an item for discussion as well as Proposal #1 about Healthcare benefits.

Day 5 8/22/2018: Today was a full day of DEX/YP rolling out the Fixed and Variable Rate Vehicle Reimbursement Program (FAVR). This 12 page presentation gave a detailed breakdown on how the program works. CWA has some serious concerns as to how the company will use the data that the mileage app collects. Day 5 and the company has not passed any proposals.

CWA District 3 has agreed to extend the current YP contract that is set to expire on 8/11/2018 to September 10, 2018 @ 5pm. This is a 30 day extension. All current provision in the contract remain intact. An extension means we still time to mobilize and organize non-members. In the past few weeks, we have received some membership cards from longtime non-members. Please I urge every local to make a concerted effort to sign up non-members.

Cathy Smith just celebrated her 20 year service anniversary after joining Bellsouth in 1998. She experienced the transition from Bapco to AT&T, YP and now DexYP. Cathy has been an active union member throughout her entire career and became a Job Steward in 2015. She started as Telephone Rep before moving into the Premise Rep position and is now acting in the Major Accounts role.

Day 4 - DEX-YP went over their proposed changes to our existing contract. Typical bargaining, In one breath, the company expressed that all employees are valuable and then in the next sentence, pass some proposed cuts to most all of our current contract language There were several things that we strenuously objected.

DEX-YP presented the Bargaining Team with a model of their proposed compensation plan aka sales drive. The model in its current state form was one of the most insulting, highly offensive comp plans that any of us have ever seen.

Day 2 of Bargaining began with the presentation of the Company’s New Proposed Compensation Plan also known as Sales Drive. CWA Bargaining Team has quite a few of questions and clarifications needed in reference to the plan and will meet to peel back the layers. The Sales plan included some good but also included quite a few issues that are in need of further clarification and tweaking.

Today we are opening up 2018 bargaining between DEX Media and Communications Workers of America in District three. This is going to be an opportunity for DEX Media to do the right thing and take care of our members, the ones who are the face of this company and the ones that drive the revenue. CWA understands that in order for our members to succeed that the company has to be profitable, but this does not have to happen on the backs of our members.

News from CWA District 3 Locals:
* Service Technician Herfner Franklin Saves a Life
* Local Leaders: Wells Fargo Profits Shouldn’t Be At Expense of American Workers, Consumers, and Communities
* There Is a Notion That Unions Are Weak In The South
* Yvonne Kinston Won The Karen Murphy Women Of The Year Award
* Tony Barlow talks about AT&T using contractors versus CWA Members
* Congratulations To Cathy Barksdale
* CWA Awards TV To Paula Loudermilk

June-4 thru 6-2018

Brothers and Sisters we met again with the company and continued passing proposals trying to get an equitable and fair contract for our members. The Company is continuing to pass retrogressive proposals and your Union is remaining strong. We are not accepting the attempt to deteriorate our bargaining unit with poverty wages, high insurance cost, and frozen pensions.

6-1-18

We met again with the company today to discuss proposals on health care, training differential, loaded labor rate, contractors, pensions, Ready to serve, and requested more information on wages and benefits. The discussions have been slow but we are learning a lot of where the company wants to end up at. We are not in agreement with the Company’s vision and will forge on to get the best possible contract for our members.

5-25 thru 5-31

Brothers and Sisters we met with the Company today and asked more questions surrounding their proposals and requested more data regarding healthcare. We passed proposals on overtime call out pay training differential, and schedule changes. The Company passed counter proposals on holidays and pensions.

5-23 & 24-18

Brothers and Sisters the mood at the bargaining table has changed. Since the Company has decided they do not want to partner with the Union the subtle pleasantries are out of the window. We are here to conduct business and get a fair and equitable contract for our members. We are continuing to request and review data, pass proposals, and do the job we were sent to do by our members.

The meeting convened at 9:00 am EST.
Brothers and Sisters it’s about to get live here in Kentucky. The Union in its effort to bargain a fair and equitable contract presented counters to the company’s proposals. We are trying to address the company’s concerns without deteriorating our members’ livelihoods and working conditions. Some of the retrogressive proposals include but are not limited to two tier wages, reduced benefits, removal of holiday, and freezing the pension.

5-21-18
The meeting convened at 9:00 am EST.
Minor proposals involving clean up language and getting the contract in line with the practices were passed and a tentative agreement was reached. We are continuing to review and request data needed to bring home a fair and equitable contract for our members.

The meeting convened at 9:00 a m EST.
Both parties had more question concerning each other’s proposals. There was a lengthy discussion concerning Holidays, Job titles, definitions, commuting allowance, training, temporary transfers, personnel records, and contractors. Movement is slow but the discussions are healthy.
The team will meet internally for the next few days and will meet with the Company Monday morning.

5-15-18
Today we opened up bargaining with Windstream in Lexington Kentucky.
CWA Staff Representative Charlie Maxwell (Union Chair) gave an opening statement laying down the ground rules for this bargaining session. Charlie informed the company that the CWA is strong and demands respect and will also show respect likewise.