7342 Fulton Avenue
North Hollywood, California 91605
Phone Number: (800) 422-2806 (818) 503-9555
Fax: (818) 503-9665
North Hollywood, California 91605
Phone Number: (800) 422-2806 (818) 503-9555
Fax: (818) 503-9665
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www.CWA9503.org
AFL-CIO, CLC.
What’s Going On With Bargaining & Are We Going Out On Strike?
These are the two questions that are asked most frequently. As you all know, bargaining began on February 24 and, from what we have heard, no progress has been made.
There are 6 bargaining tables, one for each of the 5 Districts and one for Legacy T (the old AT&T from prior to the merger). The Districts are divided geographically. We are in District 9 and our Contract covers employees in California, Nevada and Hawaii.
Initially, both sides (the Company and the Union) present proposals. The Union’s proposals are to make improvements to our wages, benefits and working conditions. The Company’s proposals have all been geared toward taking away what we have worked for years to achieve.
What are we trying to achieve? The Union brings proposals to the table to improve our employees’ wages, benefits, (including health care, pensions etc) employment security, retiree benefits, obtaining the jobs of the future and so on. Another priority issue is parity for prem techs (bringing their level of benefits up to where the rest of the core employee’s benefits are) and making our term employees permanent.
Some of the retrogressive proposals made by the Company are as follows:
*Cost shifting of healthcare where employees and their families will have high deductibles prior to any of the insurance money kicking in a minimum of $2,000 a year for an individual making less than $50,000 a year and increasing for those earning more and those with families. New hires can expect to pay between $4,350 and $34,800 if out of network.
* Create new titles where up to 60% of employees wages are at risk (pay for performance) based on sales/performance criteria set and changed by the company arbitrarily.
* Incentive plans linked to sales service and productivity
* Employment Security Commitment (Article 2) and the promise of “Jobs of the Future” including new technology would be eliminated entirely.
* Eliminate ERB (Early Retirement Benefit)
* Company seeks to add job functions to the Premises Technician title which require greater skills but with no upgrade in pay, no pension and no permanent position
* Reduce Sunday premium payment to time and one tenth instead of time and a half
* Sick pay would not be provided without 8 years of service
* End the 49 hour rule: double time only after 54 hours
* Prevent volunteers from working overtime and forcing whomever managers may choose
* Reduce existing shift differentials
* Eliminate paying employees a premium for change of shift
* Employees who are surplussed into the prem tech title would be subject to a significant decrease in benefits
* Cut President’s Day and the day after Thanksgiving and replace them with PDO’S
These are just some of the takebacks that the Company is bringing to the bargaining table!
88% of AT&T CWA members voted in favor of strike authorization. This vote sends a strong message of support to CWA bargaining teams. What this means is that CWA President Larry Cohen is authorized to call for a strike if negotiations fail to produce a fair Contract. A strike could be called anytime after the Contract expires.
How will I know if we are on strike? Once the Contract expires at 11:59pm on April 4, there are a couple of different things which could happen. One, we could go on strike. If we do go on strike, it should be all over the media. Also, our local’s hotline will have up-to-date information on what is happening. The hotline information number is: (818) 503-2903. If we go on strike, there will be someone at the local 24 hours a day. The local’s telephone number is: (818) 503-9555. For bargaining updates, please go to www.cwa-att.org click on bargaining updates, and then click on District 9 or go to Local 9503’s website at: www.cwa9503.org
Two, we could (with the Company’s concurrence) agree to extend the Contract.
Three, we could work without a Contract. This is what Mobility did until they reached a tentative agreement. When you work without a Contract, you continue to work and will still earn a paycheck. All benefits, including health care, remain in effect.
Four, the Company could lock us out. There has been a lot of debate on whether we would qualify for unemployment benefits if we are locked out. At first we had heard yes. Then we heard no. The bottom line is we just don’t know. We are telling our employees to apply for unemployment benefits and if you are denied, to appeal the denial. This is one of those questions where we will have to wait and see.
One thing we need to remember is that AT&T is a highly profitable company that continues to have strong earnings and should let their employees share in these profits. In 2008 the Company’s net profits were 12.9 billion dollars! AT&T claims to be suffering losses in revenue due to the economy and market changes. Not only are they not offering anything positive at the bargaining table, they are using the state of the economy as an excuse to try and take away what we currently have. Unlike other companies, AT&T has not been adversely affected by the state of the nation’s economy.
What can the union do for you in the event of a strike? We do have member relief benefits which kick in after 15 days on strike.
The payout is $200 a week for strikers who perform picket duty. After 29 days, the amount is increased to $300 a week. We also have a community services committee that will provide temp agency information in case folks want to seek out outside employment. We will also be obtaining assistance from food banks and other unions. Our community services committee will also be available to deal with employees with special health care needs, such as medication for serious illnesses, etcetera.
In addition, we recommend that you speak with your creditors to let them know of the possibility of a work stoppage to see if there are arrangements which can be made to lessen or defer payments on various bills.
As the Contract deadline draws near, it is more important than ever to show your solidarity for one another and your support for our bargaining committee by continuing to wear red on Thursdays and to participate in any mobilization activities.
Nobody wants a strike. However, we all must be prepared to take a united stand should it become necessary in order to achieve a fair contract.
Remember, United We Stand; Divided We Beg!
These are the two questions that are asked most frequently. As you all know, bargaining began on February 24 and, from what we have heard, no progress has been made.
There are 6 bargaining tables, one for each of the 5 Districts and one for Legacy T (the old AT&T from prior to the merger). The Districts are divided geographically. We are in District 9 and our Contract covers employees in California, Nevada and Hawaii.
Initially, both sides (the Company and the Union) present proposals. The Union’s proposals are to make improvements to our wages, benefits and working conditions. The Company’s proposals have all been geared toward taking away what we have worked for years to achieve.
What are we trying to achieve? The Union brings proposals to the table to improve our employees’ wages, benefits, (including health care, pensions etc) employment security, retiree benefits, obtaining the jobs of the future and so on. Another priority issue is parity for prem techs (bringing their level of benefits up to where the rest of the core employee’s benefits are) and making our term employees permanent.
Some of the retrogressive proposals made by the Company are as follows:
*Cost shifting of healthcare where employees and their families will have high deductibles prior to any of the insurance money kicking in a minimum of $2,000 a year for an individual making less than $50,000 a year and increasing for those earning more and those with families. New hires can expect to pay between $4,350 and $34,800 if out of network.
* Create new titles where up to 60% of employees wages are at risk (pay for performance) based on sales/performance criteria set and changed by the company arbitrarily.
* Incentive plans linked to sales service and productivity
* Employment Security Commitment (Article 2) and the promise of “Jobs of the Future” including new technology would be eliminated entirely.
* Eliminate ERB (Early Retirement Benefit)
* Company seeks to add job functions to the Premises Technician title which require greater skills but with no upgrade in pay, no pension and no permanent position
* Reduce Sunday premium payment to time and one tenth instead of time and a half
* Sick pay would not be provided without 8 years of service
* End the 49 hour rule: double time only after 54 hours
* Prevent volunteers from working overtime and forcing whomever managers may choose
* Reduce existing shift differentials
* Eliminate paying employees a premium for change of shift
* Employees who are surplussed into the prem tech title would be subject to a significant decrease in benefits
* Cut President’s Day and the day after Thanksgiving and replace them with PDO’S
These are just some of the takebacks that the Company is bringing to the bargaining table!
88% of AT&T CWA members voted in favor of strike authorization. This vote sends a strong message of support to CWA bargaining teams. What this means is that CWA President Larry Cohen is authorized to call for a strike if negotiations fail to produce a fair Contract. A strike could be called anytime after the Contract expires.
How will I know if we are on strike? Once the Contract expires at 11:59pm on April 4, there are a couple of different things which could happen. One, we could go on strike. If we do go on strike, it should be all over the media. Also, our local’s hotline will have up-to-date information on what is happening. The hotline information number is: (818) 503-2903. If we go on strike, there will be someone at the local 24 hours a day. The local’s telephone number is: (818) 503-9555. For bargaining updates, please go to www.cwa-att.org click on bargaining updates, and then click on District 9 or go to Local 9503’s website at: www.cwa9503.org
Two, we could (with the Company’s concurrence) agree to extend the Contract.
Three, we could work without a Contract. This is what Mobility did until they reached a tentative agreement. When you work without a Contract, you continue to work and will still earn a paycheck. All benefits, including health care, remain in effect.
Four, the Company could lock us out. There has been a lot of debate on whether we would qualify for unemployment benefits if we are locked out. At first we had heard yes. Then we heard no. The bottom line is we just don’t know. We are telling our employees to apply for unemployment benefits and if you are denied, to appeal the denial. This is one of those questions where we will have to wait and see.
One thing we need to remember is that AT&T is a highly profitable company that continues to have strong earnings and should let their employees share in these profits. In 2008 the Company’s net profits were 12.9 billion dollars! AT&T claims to be suffering losses in revenue due to the economy and market changes. Not only are they not offering anything positive at the bargaining table, they are using the state of the economy as an excuse to try and take away what we currently have. Unlike other companies, AT&T has not been adversely affected by the state of the nation’s economy.
What can the union do for you in the event of a strike? We do have member relief benefits which kick in after 15 days on strike.
The payout is $200 a week for strikers who perform picket duty. After 29 days, the amount is increased to $300 a week. We also have a community services committee that will provide temp agency information in case folks want to seek out outside employment. We will also be obtaining assistance from food banks and other unions. Our community services committee will also be available to deal with employees with special health care needs, such as medication for serious illnesses, etcetera.
In addition, we recommend that you speak with your creditors to let them know of the possibility of a work stoppage to see if there are arrangements which can be made to lessen or defer payments on various bills.
As the Contract deadline draws near, it is more important than ever to show your solidarity for one another and your support for our bargaining committee by continuing to wear red on Thursdays and to participate in any mobilization activities.
Nobody wants a strike. However, we all must be prepared to take a united stand should it become necessary in order to achieve a fair contract.
Remember, United We Stand; Divided We Beg!
President's Report
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