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Click here to download the Striker Certification Documents Fill out and return to a Union Steward or fax to the Hall at 706-860-3208.
2024 AT&T Southeast Bargaining Reports
This is the Utility Ops Bargaining Reports Page. The current working agreement started on August 4, 2019 and expired August 3, 2024. You can read the expiring Legacy B contract here.
(Reports reprinted from the District 3 website.)
*****ATTENTION*****
As of August 16, 2024 at 3PM, Members in AT&T Southeast CORE/UFO and Utility OPS Members are conducting a ULP Strike against AT&T. Stay tuned for updates. Members who are affected by the current bargaining are not to report to work until further notice from your Local Union leaders.
Bargaining Report #69 (04:05 pm)
Today is a significant day for our nation, as we remember the tragic events that took place in 2001. As we remember those who lost their lives due to the attack on September 11th, we also remember the bravery of the many first responders and the courageous efforts of the men and women of the United States Armed Services who rose up in defense of our nation.
Our bargaining team wishes to thank the many CWA members who have served or are currently serving in the United States Military. We thank you for your service and for the freedoms that we have today. Our team continued their efforts to reach an agreement, working late into the night, leaving the bargaining table at 2:00 A.M this morning. We were back at it again early this morning and met with the company again to deliver a comprehensive package proposal to settle the contract.
Today, we are focusing on the broader issues that impact all CWA members in District 3 - wages, benefits, pensions, etc. Last week we distributed two different bargaining reports that contained detailed information concerning the differences in CWA’s proposals on wages and benefits compared to AT&T’s offer on the same issues. Our team is working around the clock to close that gap, and get us closer to what our members deserve.
Please know that we could not properly express how much your support has meant to us throughout this journey. We were sent here to fight for what you deserve, and we are doing just that. Every day we are inspired by the membership across District 3. It is our mission to reach an agreement at the bargaining table as soon as possible, but it cannot be just any agreement. After years of givebacks to AT&T, your solidarity, and the sacrifices you have made throughout this historic ULP strike, shining a light on the company's bad faith bargaining, is an inspiration to the bargaining team to keep fighting.
Bargaining Report #68 (07:32 pm)
We understand that many of you want every single detail that can be provided right now, but just as you are devoting your time to picketing and supporting the lines, we are devoting our time to bargaining and are on stand-by around the clock. We worked tirelessly throughout the day yesterday. We did not finish until after 1 a.m. this morning, then started early and have been working all day. The current plan is to work throughout the night in hopes of getting as far as possible as quickly as possible. Please have faith in your Bargaining Team just as we have faith in all of you!
Bargaining Report #67 (09:00 pm)
The Bargaining Team had a long day yesterday with negotiations not ending until 1 a.m., then beginning again this morning after a short break. We began to see movement in a positive direction today, and that makes us hopeful. The more important thing to know is that the reason we are seeing any positive movement at all is because of the grit and determination of the members holding the line. You may not feel like you are making a difference, but you are making ALL the difference! We are receiving reports of loads growing larger in some areas than they have ever been. The Company is currently missing its greatest assets, all of you! While we know that everyone wants all the information they can get, and some want every detail of every proposal, unfortunately we can't report on every change daily. Please know and understand that we are fighting as hard as possible and putting in the work for you here at the table.
Bargaining Report #66 (08:30 pm)
We know that everyone has had a long few weeks, but there is no doubt that the last few weeks have been longer for the Company. We have one another to lean on, to build strength from and to encourage one another. The Company has nothing and no one to lean on currently but an untrained workforce that does not seem to know their head from a hole in the ground. The strike of 1983 lasted 22 days, and while we were by no means looking to set a record, no one can deny that OUR Union family has shown that we are stronger than ever as we pass that timeline from 40 years ago. We have proven that we are not here to back down. There is no doubt that we are standing on the right side of history, and we will look back with pride knowing that we took a stand for what is right and good against corporate greed. Keep doing what you are doing, stay strong, and keep holding the line!
Discussions between CWA and the Company have been ongoing throughout the day, and we are prepared for a long and late night of negotiations. The Bargaining Team sends the sincerest thank you to each and every person who has sent texts, pictures, and gifts of encouragement. It means more than you know for us to see that we have the membership standing with us and having our backs.
Bargaining Report #65 (08:56 pm)
Negotiations are continuing throughout the weekend. Our bargaining team is working hard to reach an agreement. We have been working around the clock, trying to push the company. Below, we have listed a few of the proposals for core employees that are on the table as of today:
➔ Vacation Carryover - This proposal improves contract language for core employees that would allow for up to 10 days of vacation to be carried over from one year to the next. Additionally, this proposal removes the existing contract language that disqualifies the employees from carrying over vacation, in the event that an employee is away from work on sick time and does not return to work by December 31.
➔ Exchange Time - This proposal would institute a new program for core employees who work in call center environments. The new program would allow for greater flexibility with work schedules. In essence, employees would have the ability to leave work early, or come to work late, due to life situations, and be able to “exchange” or make up the time at another point during the work week.
➔ Service Observing - This proposal amends the existing contract language for core employees who work in call center environments. The proposal calls for changes to the current service observing language, by reducing the number of calls observed by management from 25 remote observations down to 12 Additionally, the proposal would require the company to allow employees to select 6 of the 12 calls that would be observed.
➔ Forced Overtime Cap - This proposal improves contract language for core employees, reducing the amount of overtime hours the company can force employees to work. The proposal reduces the number of months that employees can be forced to work up to 12 hours of overtime in a week, from the existing 8months down to 6 months.
➔ Supplemental Income Protection Plan (SIPP) - This proposal calls for large increases to the SIPP payments in place today for core employees. Additionally, the proposal switches the fixed dollar amounts contained in the SIPP payment table today, and converts them to weekly pay amounts, which would increase over time, along with the negotiated general wage increase (GWI).
➔ CWA / AT&T Partnership Program - This proposal increases the funding formula for the Partnership Program, which is available to both core employees and Wire Techs. This program is utilized for, continuing education, customized courses,
career counseling, job training for employees in the Partnership Job Bank, and various other forms of educational assistance.
➔ Core Employee Protections – This proposal amends the existing contract language outlining the protections in place for core employees who as a result of surplus, claim an open Wire Tech vacancy. The proposal improves the protections that are in place today. Additionally, under the terms of our 2019 contract, surplussed employees who elected to enter the Partnership Job Bank could apply for an open Wire Tech vacancy, but because they were in the job bank, the existing pay protection language did not apply. This proposal would grant the ability for employees in the Partnership Job Bank to apply for open Wire Tech vacancies and be pay protected.
➔ 401K Savings Plans – This proposal calls for increases to both of the 401K plans available to core employees and Wire Techs. The proposal calls for an additional step to be added to the top of the contribution scale, increasing matching contributions from the $67 per week in place today, up to $75 per week, for employees hired prior to 2009, who participate in the BellSouth Savings and Security Plan 401K. Additionally, the proposal calls for an increase in matching contributions from the 80% match in place today, up to 90%, for employees hired in 2009 or thereafter, who participate in the AT&T Retirement Savings Plan 401K.
➔ Pensions – This proposal calls for increases to both of the pension plans available to core employees and Wire Techs. The proposal calls for annual increases of 1.75% to all pension bands for employees hired prior to 2009 (Southeast Program of the AT&T Pension Benefit Plan). Additionally, the proposal calls for an increase in pension contributions for employees hired in 2009 or thereafter, by increasing contributions in each of the age credit factors by 2%, 2%, 2%, 2%, & 1% (Bargained Cash Balance Program #2).
Earlier this week the Company distributed propaganda related to their so called “final offer” which is not really a final offer, but as we continue to bargain, we want to ensure that our members know the truth concerning the disparity that exists between CWA’s wage proposal and what’s contained in AT&T’s so called “final offer”. Our current wage proposal calls for a 21% compounded general wage increase over the life of the agreement, as well as an immediate 10% increase in pay for Machine Operators, upgrading Office Assistants from Wage Scale 10 to Wage Scale 14, upgrading all Wage Scale 31 job titles to Wage Scale 32, and upgrading Wire Technicians from Wage Scale 6 to Wage Scale 14. Our wage proposal also calls for all employees in Wage Zones B & C to be upgraded to Wage Zone A. We have included charts below to demonstrate the difference between our bargaining team’s current wage proposal and AT&T’s so called “final offer” for some of the job titles
Bargaining Report #64 (09:20 pm)
Today has been a long day of meetings for the Bargaining Team and District 3 Leadership. We met with the Company and gave them another comprehensive package that included all economic items such as Wages, Benefits, Pensions and Wage Zones and Areas. Now we are eagerly awaiting the Company's response. We are here with one goal in mind, getting a fair contract for all our members. We want you all to know that we are here to represent all members in all titles, and that means standing and fighting for each and every one of us. Make no mistake about it, we all see what the Company attempted to do yesterday with their sneaky attack on our members by distributing their propaganda and slipping documents to people at certain picket lines. What they attempted to do was cause division among a family. Why would they try that? Because they are grasping for ways to get workloads under control. Their contingency plan of managers and contractors performing our crucial tasks isn't working and now they are feeling the pressure. Stay strong brothers and sisters, stay united, remember who we are fighting against and why we are here. Thanks for all that you are doing, you are the ones making the difference in this historic battle that we are in.
Note: District 9 voted down their tentative agreement.
Bargaining Report #63 (08:06 pm)
Today, our bargaining team hosted a zoom meeting with the CWA District 3 Local Presidents to update them on the status of bargaining. After that meeting, our team returned to the bargaining table to meet with AT&T's representatives. Much of the afternoon has been devoted to preparing proposals, analyzing different wage and healthcare scenarios, and determining what the overall economic package will need to look like in order to meet the needs of our members in all the different job titles. We were disappointed in AT&T to say the least, when we saw the propaganda the company distributed this morning concerning their so-called final offer, that's not really a final offer. It really is a sad thing to witness a company that was once a defining American institution, stoop to the level of distributing propaganda littered with half-truths in order to mislead their own employees. Thankfully, we know that CWA members throughout District 3 are too smart to fall for their tricks. We have attached a document that exposes the truth concerning the company's final offer compared to the healthcare proposal that CWA has on the bargaining table as of today. We have also included a link here: http://cwa.org/proposal. Our bargaining team looks forward to speaking with all of you later tonight on the CWA / AT&T Southeast Bargaining town hall conference call.
September 5, 2024
There will be a town hall call tonight at 8PM ET/7PM CT on AT&T Southeast Bargaining. Members who received a call for last week's town hall will receive a call tonight to participate. If you did not register for last week's call, you may connect once the call has begun by dialing 855-808-5159.
September 5, 2024
A Statement from CWA President Claude Cummings Jr.
AT&T’s negotiators presented our bargaining committee with their 145 page so-called “final” offer yesterday at 6 pm. Prior to that, they had not formally presented a complete economic package, and we had seen nothing on health care. When they presented the proposal at the bargaining table, they stated that they were willing to continue bargaining, and we provided a counter proposal at 11 pm.
The misleading message AT&T sent to CWA members this morning about their proposal and the status of bargaining amounts to direct dealing and is more evidence of the company’s continued bad faith. This type of conduct is what led to these workers going out on strike and it does nothing more than aggravate the situation.
The devil, as they say, is in the details.
Health care is a critical issue for our members. For weeks, the company refused to provide us with information that is necessary for us to be able to assess costs and develop our own proposals. Their failure to provide that information was part of the unfair labor practice charges that we filed last month that led to the current strike. They also reneged on an agreement to use regional instead of national costs when determining premiums, which is also one of our ULP charges.
What the company is not telling our members and the public is that their health care proposal raises the upfront cost for our members, especially those with family coverage. We have made it clear to the company from the start that raising our members’ cost share percentage is unacceptable, and the fact that they put this proposal forward shows that they have no interest in reaching an agreement. Their plan also shifts enormous prescription drug costs to employees.
Health care is not the only area in which AT&T is misleading our members and the public. Their claim about wage increases does not correspond to the facts of their proposal. For instance, under their proposal, wage increases for someone in the Wire Tech title would net out to just $4,766 over the life of a five-year contract after you consider the health care cost increases for a family plan. Wire Technicians are the face of AT&T, serving customers every day to install internet service at homes and businesses and make repairs in the event of outages.
I have personally spoken to AT&T CEO John Stankey multiple times since the strike began. AT&T finally provided a complete proposal after I demanded that he put it on the table. I am extremely disappointed that this proposal does not meet my, or our members’, expectations. However, after weeks of waiting and the sacrifice of our members who have been on strike, holding the line for 20 days, we finally have an economic package that our bargaining committee can respond to.
CWA members have seen and personally experienced the effects of prolonged outages and wait times for service and repairs. This strike is a hardship for our members and the communities we serve. It’s time for AT&T to engage in productive bargaining where it belongs - at the bargaining table - so we can get back to work serving our customers.
Bargaining Report #62 (11:01 am)
Brothers and sisters, your District 3 bargaining team wants to make sure you have the facts and know the truth about what is happening between us and the company at the bargaining table. The company's "Latest News" is such a serious misrepresentation of their so-called "final offer" that it's almost funny. Of course, it's not funny, it's serious and just another example of the company's sad attempt to fool our members into believing that it cares about its workers. Brothers and sisters, if you take away anything from the company's propaganda, it's this: the company only cares about its shareholders and its bottom line. It doesn't care about its customers, it doesn't care about its service, and it damn sure doesn't care about its employees.
Here are some important facts about the bargaining process, the company's so-called "final offer", and what the company really is trying to shove down your throat:
- It's clear that the company would rather send misinformation to our members in the field than to bargain with us at the table. We were scheduled to meet with the company in the morning on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Instead of meeting with our bargaining team, AT&T kept us waiting until 6:00 pm, in order to give us what they are calling their "final offer".
- The fact is, the so-called "final offer" isn't even a final offer: when the company presented it to us last night, they said they understood they had to continue bargaining with us. True to our word that we would be ready to meet at any time, we met with the company to give them a counteroffer at 11:00 pm last night.
- The company wants you to believe that CWA "fired the mediator." What we did is tell the company and the mediator that AT&T was taking advantage of the mediator and abusing the mediation process as a stall tactic. The company used mediation to stop bargaining with us, wasting our time and the mediator's. We withdrew from mediation to get bargaining going again, the way it has to be done: across the table with the company.
Perhaps most important, brothers and sisters, is that you can't be fooled by the company's propaganda about what they are proposing at the table. They are giving you half-truths about what they have put on the table and trying to fool you into believing how generous they are. Here are some facts about that the so-called "final offer" from AT&T includes:
- It is CWA that proposed upgrading the wage zones for Wire Techs and all other employees. The company refused to even consider our proposal to upgrade wage zones for Wire Techs until we had been on strike for more than two weeks. The company continues to refuse giving Wire Techs in Zone A any sort of wage increase outside of the general wage increase.
- The company wants to begin forcing Wire Techs to work overtime and then cancel their regular shifts. For example, if you work 4 hours late on Monday and Tuesday, the company will cancel your 8 hour shift on Wednesday. The end result - the overtime you worked is stolen from you!
- The average $40,000 of additional cumulative wages advertised in the company's report is misleading. Under the company's "final offer", a Wire Tech in Zone A, by 2029, will receive a wage increase of only $3.66 per hour.
- The company's proposed new prescription plan, eliminates prescription copayments with fixed prices, thereby shifting enormous prescription costs to employees.
- The company's proposed Option 1 Family health insurance premiums increase by $1,368 per year. Option 2 Family plan in-network Annual Deductibles are doubled, increased from $3,300 to $6,600. Option 2 Family plan in-network Max Out of Pocket increase by $2,500 per year, up to $16,000 annually.
- CWA proposed pension increases for employees hired after 2009. AT&T's final offer includes no pension increases for any employee hired after 2009.
- The company's final offer cuts termination pay by more than 1/2 from 90 weeks to 40 weeks.
Here's a perfect example of the real math in the company's "final offer", not AT&T fuzzy math, using a Wire Tech's in Zone A, who make $59,072 today:
Based on the company's so-called "final offer" (which they acknowledge is not a final offer), that Wire Tech would make $69,638 in 2029, a difference of $10,566 (not $40,000). But the company's proposed increase to the Option 2 Family Health Insurance Annual Deductible would cost that Wire Tech an additional $3,300 in 2029, and the company's proposed increase to the Option 2 Family Health Insurance Annual Max Out of Pocket would cost that Wire Tech an additional $2,500 in 2029. After factoring in those health care increases, that Wire Tech actually nets a total increase of only $4,766. That brothers and sisters, is a lot less than the $40,000 advertised by AT&T.
Bargaining Report #61 (10:33 pm)
Today was full of discussions and meetings between top CWA officials and Company leadership, as well as negotiations continuing throughout the evening with the Bargaining Teams. Some days there are more items to report than others. Today has been one of those quieter ones, but it is not due to a lack of hours worked and efforts made by your bargaining team. We are planning to go back to the table again, even after this report is being sent for distribution. Please keep showing the Company that you mean business as you walk the line with pride. We are a family of Union brothers and sisters that are here to stand for what is right. We stand together during a time where if there were no Union, the Company would undoubtedly attempt to stomp our rights into the ground. Let’s Fight for More in 24!
Bargaining Report #60 (07:04 pm)
We spent all day today reviewing data and crunching benefits numbers to help achieve our goal to provide the best outcome for our members. The goal is to get our members in the best economic position possible to carry forward throughout the next contract cycle. We hope that everyone understands that while we cannot disclose all the inner workings of bargaining that happen all day every day, we are working as hard as ever to get things done and get a tentative agreement. On another note, we are aware of the Company's propaganda report that they have distributed. We have no doubt the Company is feeling the pressure and making a last-ditch attempt to make themselves look better than they have in recent weeks. Stay strong and true team, we are here to show the Company what we are made of! Let’s Fight for More in 24!
Bargaining Report #59 (08:48 pm)
Upon meeting with the Company today, they provided a common interest package that did not meet the economic wage demands of our members, nor did it provide for our benefits and insurance needs. We have since been working on counter measures and proposals to take back to the table.
We hope that everyone had a safe and great Labor Day today. We know that many members spent the day today on the picket lines fighting for what is right and supporting us. We, your Bargaining Team, also spent the day fighting for what’s right for all our members. We believe it is fitting to note the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated with a march of thousands in the labor movement on September 5, 1882. It also strikes us as ironic that the only reason so many members of our Union family, including those that the Company were so quick to call "second-class employees", were able to spend Labor Day away from AT&T and with their family due to the fact we are on a ULP strike. Thanks for the sacrifice that everyone is making to stand up and show the Company that we believe in being fair. An injury to one is an injury to all. Keep holding the line, stay strong and show your Union colors!
Bargaining Report #58 (10:49 pm)
Yesterday CWA informed the company, the mediator and FMCS headquarters in Washington that we are no longer interested in the mediation process. When the company suggested meditation, we were hopeful that it might help us get a deal. Our thinking was that, with a mediator present, the company would have to abandon its bad tactics and bargain in good faith. Unfortunately, over the last few days it became clear to us that the company was using the mediation process as a delaying tactic rather than to help us get a contract. We appreciate the mediator's efforts; he's not the one to blame. In essence, the company was hiding behind the mediator and using the process as a way to avoid bargaining seriously. That is why we informed the company and the mediator that CWA does not intend to continue with mediation.
Many of you have seen a letter that the company sent out on Friday with its version of what has transpired in bargaining. To nobody's surprise, they deny that they are bargaining in bad faith. What is surprising is the deliberate misinformation they put in their letter. They talk about how much they value their employees, while at the bargaining table they call Wire Technicians "'second class employees." They claim that they have sent senior leadership to the bargaining table. They must have The Invisible Man working for AT&T, because no one on the CWA bargaining team has seen this "senior leadership" in the room with us.
The company's bad faith tactics have made the bargaining process extremely difficult. But now that we have closed the book on mediation, we believe that the company no longer has any excuses. They must deal with us, your bargaining team, across the table. Thanks to our members who are holding the line against the company's bad faith bargaining tactics, we know we have their attention. As soon as they start fulfilling their obligation to bargain in good faith, we believe we can get the deal done.
Throughout the day, we have been meeting with the Company going over the proposals at hand and reiterating the need to get a contract. While there may not be anything major to report on from today's events, please know that with the ceasing of the mediator's presence, our Union leadership is in the process of taking the appropriate next steps that will hopefully encourage the Company to do what is right in order to get the proper decision makers to the table. Stay strong and true family, we must show the Company that we are standing for what we believe in, and that is a fair and just contract! Happy Labor Day!
Bargaining Report #57 (7:41 pm)
Negotiations continued throughout the day today. We dealt with proposals and met with the Company to discuss the items where there seems to be a log jam when it comes to the Company understanding the basic foundations of certain previously agreed upon language. We plan to keep bargaining through the weekend as well. While the results from today may not have been as positive as we were hoping for, we were able to build momentum from today's events that we believe will benefit us all over the coming days. We have our members’ voices that must be heard, and along with everyone holding the lines, we will make sure that is what happens. We know what is important to our members and we can tell you that the proposals the Company keeps sending our way are not what is important. Keep taking care of your business CWA family, we all have a job to do. Looking at the pictures from the picket lines that we’ve seen, everyone is doing a great job. We are as proud as we can be of our Union, let's keep showing the Company that we are here to Fight for More in 24!
Bargaining Report #56 (4:15 pm)
CWA is on strike in District 3 because of the company's unfair labor practices. We're protesting against the Company's bad faith bargaining, part of which involves issues around healthcare bargaining. CWA leaders discussed healthcare bargaining with labor relations representatives of the Company, and in those discussions the company's representatives agreed to a framework for healthcare bargaining in District 3. The Company agreed that healthcare bargaining would proceed based on regional costs for healthcare here in the southeast instead of national costs. Shortly after those discussions, however, the Company reneged on the agreement, informing CWA that they had changed their mind. We want members to understand how the Company's backing out of its agreement has impacted bargaining, and why it is important that CWA shine a light on the Company's bad faith tactics.
Healthcare is currently a major issue in negotiations. Our membership has told us that the continuing rise in healthcare costs needs to change. The following information is intended to help explain the Company’s position on how we bargain healthcare and the position we are currently taking.
AT&T calculates the national average cost per wireline represented employee. The Company calculates this by adding the gross covered claims and the administrative expense they incur divided by the number of participating employees. When we are bargaining for a new contract, the Company uses this average cost per employee for the most recent year with full year data available and then projects the cost will increase 5% each year. We then negotiate the monthly contributions and employee out of pocket payments that would generate a target cost share. This cost share is the percentage of the cost per employee our members pay. Our current benefits were negotiated in 2019 at a 29% cost share for employees hired prior to that agreement and a 32% cost share for employees hired during the agreement.
Each bargaining cycle, CWA requests an extensive amount of data related to medical costs over the last contract period. In reviewing the data for the Southeast, the team was able to compare that data to the data we received in the last two rounds of bargaining and found the actual cost trends were much lower than the Company’s projected 5% increase each year. We were already aware that historically the Southeast costs have been lower than the national average.
In discussion with CWA leadership, the decision was made that we would take the position that going forward we would not agree to bargain our medical costs in the Southeast off a national average but off the Southeast costs; in other words, only considering the costs for employees represented under this agreement.
The Company continues to insist that we bargain off the national average costs and continues to present proposals based on that model, with the same 5% annual trend. This has created a big issue in our negotiations. We know this model causes our members to pay more than the 29% target cost share for their actual costs.
Additionally, the Company continues to push a new healthcare option. The Company argues the new option is designed to lower the overall costs and would lower the amount our members pay. The biggest issue with this new option is related to prescription drug costs. Our current Option 1 plan has fixed copays with no deductible for prescription drug coverage. The new option integrates the prescription drug costs with the medical deductibles. That means employees in either medical plan would have to meet their medical deductible before moving to a coinsurance for prescriptions. This adds more out of pocket costs to members than they currently have.
The charts below compare the current Option 1 and Option 2 medical costs with the Company’s most recent proposal on benefits.
Hopefully, this helps explain why we continue to push back on the Company’s proposed medical plan and “Fight For More in ’24.”
Bargaining Report #55 (740pm)
Today the CWA Bargaining Teams met with the Company and dealt with a number of items through package proposals. Existing proposals that CWA has on the table concerning work rules include improving the Forced Overtime Cap, Service Observing improvements, increasing Partnership Funding, increasing SIPP pay, implementing Exchange Time, changing Vacation Carryover language, Memorandum Of Agreement cleanup and Core-to-Wire Tech language changes. The benefits package that the Company presented today was undesirable, to say the least. They are still unwilling to break away from the national cost model (that we have been able to prove results in our members being overcharged for healthcare) and are still insisting that the national model works best for them. On a brighter note, we are seeing more pictures of members being unified, keeping one another encouraged and staying mobilized. Let’s keep lifting each other up as we continue into uncharted territory. Lean on one another through these trying times and take pride in doing what we must do to ensure better things not only for ourselves, but for future members to come.
Bargaining Report #54 (6:38pm)
Today, we reverted to negotiations on the record with the original Company bargaining team. The mediator is still involved and is still acting as a facilitator, with no authority to require either party to agree or disagree to any proposals. The Company provided a package that would require our core employees to take a drastic cut in paid illness days, make changes to Article 14 that would allow employees from other CWA Districts to be loaned to D3 indefinitely and admittedly made “incremental changes” for Wire Technicians. One of those incremental changes proposed increasing meal reimbursements from $37 to $40. Negotiations continue over their substandard wage and benefits proposals. We are appreciative of all the pictures, the support and unity that we are seeing across the District. Let’s stay in unison as a team and keep the momentum going. Lean on one another and encourage one another in these times. Let’s all be stronger than ever and show the Company that we are here to handle our business!
Bargaining Report #53 (8:04pm)
The dynamics of contract negotiations lead to strategy modifications as talks progress. Although we want to disclose as much information as possible, due to the fact we are currently bargaining with a mediator’s involvement, many conversations are being held off the record. This limits the amount of information that we can distribute in bargaining reports. CWA leadership has informed the company that we will be conducting bargaining meetings at a neutral site going forward. We can say for certain that the company has yet to resolve the issues that required us to file the ULP charges and that they are feeling the pressure from our members staying strong on the picket lines. We have heard reports of managers scrambling to pick up jobs, performing work at less than satisfactory safety levels and working a lot of mandatory overtime, causing them to be away from their families. Hopefully, when the dust settles, they will have a new respect for our members who live and breathe this work daily to generate the earnings the Company so often brags about. Stay strong fellow Union family, stay as one, we need to rally now more than ever.
Bargaining Report #52 (11:33pm)
Our bargaining team met with AT&T's representatives throughout the weekend, attempting to bring contract negotiations to an end and reach an agreement. Last week, AT&T requested that the parties enter into federal mediation. CWA agreed to mediation and we hoped that it would be of some assistance in our efforts to gain a fair and just contract for the members of District 3. Unfortunately, AT&T's representatives came to mediation with the same lack of authority to make decisions or reach agreements that they had previously displayed at the bargain table. In other words, the same old games AT&T has played throughout the bargaining process, simply carried over into mediation.
As of today, the company has moved only a few inches in nearly a week of mediation. The wage increases the company is offering is not acceptable and our members deserve more. The biggest issue continues to be healthcare and the company's new prescription plan that would force many of our members to pay enormous prices for their medication. We remain far apart on the key issues. Our bargaining team is ready to head back to the bargaining table tomorrow morning to fight for the contract our members deserve.
Bargaining Report #51
The parties continue to engage in mediation with a federal mediator, which we agreed to at the company's request. What we have made clear to the mediator through this process is that the CWA bargaining team knows what good faith bargaining with real company decision-makers look like. While we are now meeting with company labor relations representatives, AT&T has yet to demonstrate that we are dealing with the real decision makers or that they are interested in real bargaining with the intent of reaching an agreement. It is a slow process to begin with, made slower by the company's tactics.
When they are "bargaining" (if you want to call it that), the positions taken by the company on important issues to our members are shocking. One example is the company's refusal to make realistic proposals on wages that reflect the economic reality for our members who work hard for a living or the reality of the company's huge profits. Another is the company's refusal to budge on improving working conditions for Wire Techs, who we now know they think of only as "second-class employees." Yet another is that the company has come to the bargaining table demanding that our members switch to a new healthcare plan. AT&T’s new healthcare plan will jeopardize the livelihood of our members, as it eliminates the prescription co-payments we have today, and in place of those co-payments, our members would be forced to pay the full price of prescriptions, until they meet an annual deductible of $6,600 for families.
So not only are the company's bargaining tactics shameful, what they are proposing when they are "bargaining" is shameful. Remember that what the company is doing at the bargaining table is happening while CEO John Stankey talks about the company's plans to "grow subscribers and revenues, while deepening customer relationships." Apparently, Stankey has forgotten that CWA members - union members - are the people who are responsible for AT&T's growth in subscribers and revenues, and who are the front line in dealing with its customers. If only Stankey could find labor relations professionals who understand the meaning of the duty to bargain in good faith, all of us -- workers, customers, and company -- would be better off.
Our bargaining team is working around the clock trying to reach an agreement. We met into the evening yesterday, and met with the company again today. We have told the mediator and the company that we are ready to meet at any time. What we hope is that the company will wake up to the reality that it can't continue to bargain in bad faith and expect to get a contract. What we know is that we can count on our members to continue protesting AT&T’s bad-faith tactics until they change. Like all CWA members across the country, we are inspired by the unity that exists within the membership across District 3. District 3 members are united on picket lines across the southeast and are making a difference. We will continue fighting for more in 24!
Bargaining Report #50
Today, our bargaining team continued to meet with the federal mediator and AT&T’s representatives in an effort to move towards reaching an agreement. The company requested mediation earlier this week, and our bargaining team thought that mediation might help us reach an agreement, considering the company’s bad faith tactics at the bargaining table. While mediation has proven to be helpful, it got off to a slow start, as we had to spend some time bringing the mediator up to speed on the issues that we have been bargaining over for the last two months. Additionally, when we started mediation, the company wanted to utilize an attorney as their chief negotiator. This delayed progress at the bargaining table as our bargaining team doesn’t need an attorney to speak for them and the company’s team shouldn’t either. We informed the mediator that we didn't feel that bargaining with an attorney was going to be productive, as we need to have discussions with someone who has a working knowledge of the issues our members face on a daily basis in the workplace. Our bargaining team explained to the federal mediator that mediation could be helpful, but only if the company brought the appropriate representatives to the table. At our request, the company agreed to remove the attorney from the position as their chief negotiator. As of today, we are still not satisfied that AT&T has a real decision maker at the table. We can say that we have made some very minor movement in the right direction. Today, marks the third day of mediation, and we have had some constructive dialogue on the issues. Unfortunately, AT&T has continued their refusal to honor the previous agreement reached with CWA concerning bargaining over the southeast healthcare costs, which are much lower than the company’s national average. Our bargaining team has been working around the clock trying to reach an agreement. Progress has been slow, and it is clear to us that we will have to continue fighting in order to get the contract our members deserve. Our bargaining team will continue negotiations late into the evening tonight. We continue to be inspired by the unity that exists within the membership across District 3. Your actions on the picket line are making a difference and giving our bargaining team the strength we need. We need everyone to continue fighting with us. Together, we are showing AT&T that CWA doesn’t play. Remember.......they're not like us!
Bargaining Report #49
Today has been a long day of meetings, some with the CWA Bargaining Team and mediator, some with leadership. We want everyone to stay focused in the field on the picket lines and know that we are doing the same here on our end. We have an end goal, and that goal is a fair and just contract. While the Company may have called some of our members 2nd class employees and only wanted to feed them the leftovers, it’s time that we fight to show this greedy Company that we are tired of the crumbs and are ready for what's owed to our members. Stay ready, stay mobilized, thanks for all that you are doing and keep the pictures coming. Fight for more in 24!
Bargaining Report #48
The CWA Bargaining Team and the Company both met with the mediator throughout the day today. All day was spent allowing the mediator to meet both teams, get acquainted with the last 2 months’ worth of progress, the issues that have put us in the position that we are currently in, going over the key items that we have at the table and getting educated on the proposals and their importance. We remain optimistic that the mediator will help us gain ground on securing a contract that is acceptable to our members. While we know that everyone has questions and concerns about what is going on, please know that we are working diligently to get the current issues resolved and to get everyone back to work. Please stay strong and keep showing the Company that with the unified members we have, we are here to fight for more!
Bargaining Report #47
Today, our bargaining team met with AT&T’s representatives at both the Common Interest Table, where we bargain for wages, benefits pensions, etc. and the BST Table, where we bargain for work rules, or contract provisions. Our bargaining team continues to demand that our members receive annual wage increases that actually put us ahead in today’s economic climate. The company’s wage proposals continue to fall short of what our members deserve. The biggest obstacle at the bargaining table is the benefits or healthcare plan. The company continues to make benefits proposals based on AT&T’s national average for healthcare cost. The problem with this, is that our healthcare costs in District 3 are much lower than AT&T’s national average. This is the biggest obstacle to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table. AT&T wants us to pay more for our healthcare than it actually costs. We have made AT&T well aware that we don't want to be over charged for our healthcare, but AT&T’s response is “this cost structure works well for the company.” Yesterday, our bargaining team received notice from AT&T’s representatives, that the company wants to enter into federal mediation. Considering AT&T’s bad faith tactics during these negotiations, our bargaining team is hopeful that mediation might lead us to the agreement our members deserve. Currently, we are scheduled to meet with the federal mediator tomorrow morning. Until then, we will continue to bargain, and have plans to return to the bargaining table later this afternoon. We know that you are fighting for us! We want you to know that we are fighting for you! And that we don’t have any plans to stop!
Bargaining Report #46
Today the Bargaining Team met with the Company to deliver yet another comprehensive package. The package included all the common interest items that our members have expressed they want including wage increases, improvements to the health care plan with lower costs, pension increases, 401k improvements and a no layoff guarantee. The Company simply replied that they understood our proposal. Our Bargaining Team remains optimistic that the Company will start to move our way. We will see over the next few days if they truly do understand our proposal and if they really want to reach an agreement. Thanks to each and every one of you out there holding the lines and carrying picket signs, we appreciate everything that each of you are doing. Stay mobilized and stay ready!
Bargaining Report #45
While CWA members in District 3 are on strike against AT&T to protest unfair labor practices committed by the company during negotiations for a new contract, our bargaining team has continued to bargain with AT&T’s representatives, trying to reach an agreement. AT&T’s representatives at the bargaining table seem to have little authority to make decisions or enter into agreements, and on occasion have even been unable to explain their own proposals.
AT&T came to the bargaining table yesterday and read from a script that appears could have been written by their attorney, accusing CWA of bargaining in bad faith. When the Union asked for the Company’s definition and specific examples of bad faith bargaining, AT&T’s representatives were not able to explain their accusations. At times, they have been unable to have discussions with us about the issues at the bargaining table, including one of their own proposals yesterday.
Thousands of CWA members are on strike across nine (9) different states in the Southeast. Many of those members have asked for more information about what has been proposed at the bargaining table. Below, we have listed some of the details of CWA’s bargaining proposals concerning the larger issues of pay & benefits that affect all. Keep in mind that these are our current proposals for what we hope to achieve in a new contract. The bargaining process is fluid, meaning that proposals change over time and commonly look different from one day to the next. As of today, Union proposals and Company proposals include the following:
Wages
CWA: General Wage Increase: Significant increase over the life of the contract, plus an annual cost-of-living adjustment. Upgrade several Wage Scales. Equalizing all Wage Zones.
AT&T: General Wage Increase: 2%, 2%, 3%, 3%, & 2%
Healthcare Benefits
CWA: Monthly premiums that are lower than today for all three bargaining units. Utilizing only the Southeast healthcare costs to calculate company/employee cost share, instead of AT&T’s national average.
AT&T: Large increases in monthly premiums, up to $595 per month for a family. Large increases in the annual deductible, up to $6,600 for a family In Network, and $19,800 Out of Network. Large Increases in the annual maximum out of pocket, up to $16,000 for a family In Network, and $48,000 Out of Network.
Health Savings Account
CWA: HSA with matching company contributions.
AT&T: No matching contributions to an HSA
Pensions
CWA: Significant AT&T SE Pension Increases
CWA: Significant BCBP2 Pension Increases: Increase for all age credit factors.
AT&T: AT&T SE Pension Increases - 0.5%, 0%, 0,5%, 0%, & 0.5%
AT&T: BCBP2 Pension Increases - No increase
401K - Savings Plans
CWA: BellSouth Savings and Security Plan - Employees can contribute 6% of their basic wages with a company match equal to 80% of the employee contribution.
CWA: AT&T Retirement Savings Plan - Employees can contribute 6% of basic wages with a company match equal to 90% of the employee contribution.
AT&T: BellSouth Savings and Security Plan - No increase or improvement
AT&T: AT&T Retirement Savings Plan - No increase or improvement
While AT&T continues to remain far apart from our position on the issues, our bargaining team will continue to return to the table to bargain in good faith towards reaching an agreement that our members deserve. As you stand strong on the picket line, we will stand strong at the bargaining table. We are all in this fight together, the Fight for More in 24!
Bargaining Report #44
Yesterday, 17,000 CWA members across the southeast went on an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike against AT&T. At the same time our members were heading to the picket line, CWA leadership met with AT&T's bargaining representatives to discuss the current status of contract negotiations and the bad faith bargaining tactics that AT&T has been engaged in at the bargaining table. While we hoped this meeting might be constructive, it was unfortunately just more of the same from AT&T. The company's rhetoric during this meeting made it clear to us that AT&T has no interest in bargaining in good faith with CWA or trying to reach an agreement.
Following that meeting, our bargaining team went to the table to meet with AT&T's representatives. The company came to the bargaining table claiming that they wanted to know why CWA was asking for so many improvements for Wire Technicians. Our bargaining team spent more than an hour answering the company's questions and educating AT&T's representatives on the working conditions that our members have to deal with on a daily basis. During this discussion, the company's bargaining representatives stated that there are two different classes of employees at AT&T, and Wire Technicians are second-class employees. Our bargaining team made sure that AT&T's representatives clearly understood the absurdity of their statement.
Our bargaining team will be returning to the bargaining table this morning with our eleventh comprehensive package proposal, trying to reach an agreement. This comprehensive package proposal includes improvements for all CWA members in District 3, in every job title. We know that the members of District 3 are standing strong against AT&T’s bad-faith tactics, and you can rest assured, knowing that your bargaining team is standing strong alongside you.
Bargaining Report #43
Today, our bargaining team met with the company and passed another comprehensive package proposal, outlining what it will take to reach an agreement. Our comprehensive package included several major improvements for members in many different job titles: members who work in call center environments and office settings, along with Core Technicians and Wire Technicians. The company responded to our proposal by expressing their frustrations, claiming that the Union is asking for too many improvements for Wire Technicians. Obviously, none of the company’s bargaining representatives have ever worked as a Wire Technician, otherwise they would understand the drastic need for vast contract improvements for Wire Technicians. It’s evident that there is a major disconnect between what the company’s bargaining representatives know and the reality that our members face everyday on the job working for AT&T.
We continue to bargain with the company on the important issues of wages, benefits, and pensions. Our bargaining team has continuously stressed to the company that AT&T’s CEO recently touted the company’s large increase in profits and “strong financial performance”. Taking this into account, our members deserve a substantial wage increase.
As expressed in previous bargaining reports, due to the company’s bad faith bargaining tactics, CWA was left with no choice but to file an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against AT&T. This ULP charge involves several issues, all of which clearly establish that AT&T is not bargaining in good faith with our bargaining team. AT&T agreed to bargain with us over healthcare on a regional basis to lower costs for our members in District 3. The very same day this agreement was made, the company went back on their word, and continues to make proposals asking our members to pay more for their healthcare than it actually costs. The company is engaged in "surface bargaining", going through the motions but apparently with no real intention of reaching an agreement. At times, the company has been unable to explain their own bargaining problems or answer any questions about their own proposals. On two separate occasions, our team has requested to return to the bargaining table to pass proposals, only to have AT&T’s bargaining representatives brush them off, refuse to meet, and push us off until the next day. To make things worse, the company outright refuses to discuss a mandatory subject of bargaining.
The bargaining team continues to work hard, searching for an answer to how we make AT&T bargain with us in good faith so we can reach an agreement. Our bargaining team knows that whatever it will take, CWA members in District 3 are up for the fight.
Bargaining Report #42
While we have been adamant that working on the big picture and focusing on important things such as major work rules, wages and benefits should be a priority for everyone at the bargaining table, the Company has focused on negligible items. We were able to come to an agreement today on clearing the table of some of those items. We did this so that the Company can't use them as a diversion to the end goal. We are as focused as ever on getting a fair contract for our members, and we hope that all of you remain sharply focused on the goal too. Stay patient but stay ready, and let’s continue to Fight for More in 24!
Bargaining Report #41
August 13, 2024
We met with the Company today to discuss a healthcare plan that they are proposing. Based on the information provided to us so far, we don't have much of an appetite for their proposal. Our Bargaining Team knows what our members want, and we remain diligent and ready to bargain. If the Company would just follow our lead, we would be able to make progress toward getting a good contract. Thanks for all you are doing to support your Bargaining Team. Please keep up the great mobilization work while we continue to work hard to secure an agreement that is beneficial to every one of our members.
Bargaining Report #40
August 12, 2024
Our bargaining team met with the company over the weekend and continued to push AT&T to bargain with us in good faith towards reaching an agreement. Unfortunately, AT&T continued their same old tactics and despite our best efforts at the bargaining table, we are no closer to reaching an agreement. Previously, AT&T's representatives expressed a desire to clear some of the smaller issues off the bargaining table, so they could bargain with us over the larger issues at a later time. With that in mind, our bargaining team went to the table and tried to reach an agreement with the company on the smallest of issues - a modest increase in funding for the CWA/AT&T Southeast PARTNERSHIP Program. Once again, the company was either unable or unwilling to make an agreement on even the smallest of issues.
While there is no progress to report at the bargaining table, there is major progress in the mobilization efforts taking place across District 3. It is clear to our bargaining team that CWA members in District 3 are willing to do whatever it takes to force AT&T to bargain with us in good faith towards reaching an agreement. While the tension continues to build at both the workplace and at the bargaining table, we want to assure you that you have a bargaining team who has your back, and they’re working hard for you. With this in mind, we would like to share a phrase with you, so often repeated by a Union supporter who served as the head coach for a respected college football program in the Southeast. In what became a mantra for Alabama fans, Nick Saban often echoed the words "Trust the Process"
Bargaining Report #39
August 11, 2024
Many CWA members who work at AT&T were already frustrated with the company before our contract negotiations even began. Many of us have been continuously forced to work overtime day in and day out, pushed to the max in order to obtain some random performance metric that's been put in place by someone who has no idea how to actually perform our job, and disrespected on a daily basis by overbearing management. AT&T will send us an email saying "Your Family Matters", and on the same day our supervisor will tell us we can't go home to our families at the end of our shifts; instead, we have to keep picking up jobs until there are none left, and only then can we ask them for permission to go home to our families. This is the environment that AT&T has created.
The company has come to the bargaining table and created the same environment that exists in their workplace. We are now one week past the expiration of our contract and the company has not offered one single contract improvement for any of our members who work in call center environments, not one single contract improvement for Wire Techs or Utility Operations. There is a growing frustration amongst our membership. Our members want a contract, and our bargaining team will continue to fight for the contract you deserve. Now we are also fighting on another front. Because of the company's bad faith bargaining tactics, we have been forced to file an unfair labor practice charge against the company. We've told the company we would rather spend time and resources bargaining than litigating, but we feel we have no choice but to fight on that battleground as well. It is not a battle of our choosing, but we know we can count on our members to support us in that battle just as they have supported us at the table.
Bargaining Report #38
August 9, 2024
We met with the Company several times throughout the day today. While we can't say that there was much movement at the table, we can say that we delivered a comprehensive package that included significant wage increases, a reduction in benefit costs, moving all wage zones to "A", free parking for employees and more. We are still light years apart on items that many would consider to be the major items, but we are not even close on many others either. We need everyone of our members to stand strong, mobilize and let them know that we aren't going to bow down to them and their retroactive demands. We are here to move forward!
Bargaining Report #37
August 09, 2024
Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of reporting to do today as far as proposals go. What we can report on is that it seems more obvious than ever that the Company is more concerned with saving face and vaunting about their earnings than they are with settling the Contract negotiations or taking care of their employees. While we are here to fight for our members and stand for your rights, we have confidence that these efforts are one-sided. Stay tuned and stay mobilized, there is more to come. Let’s Fight for More in 24!
Bargaining Report #36
Today proved to be another lackluster day at the bargaining table. Yesterday afternoon, our bargaining team provided the company with two comprehensive proposals that would enable us to reach an agreement. These comprehensive proposals included a significant wage increase, with a cost-of-living adjustment, moving all wage zones to zone A, wage scale upgrades for several job titles, improvements to our existing healthcare plan with lower costs, company funded health savings accounts, pension increases, and many different improvements to contract language or work rule issues. The company was either unable or unwilling to respond to our comprehensive proposals. When our bargaining team met with the company today, they stated that they would rather deal with some of the smaller issues at the bargaining table. To that extent, the company provided our bargaining team with two small proposals, and neither of them dealt with the issues that are important to our members.
The largest issues at the bargaining table right now are wages and healthcare. Currently, the company’s wage proposal calls for minor increases that fall below anticipated inflation rates. The company’s healthcare proposal calls for large increases in premiums, deductibles, and out of pocket expenses. Our bargaining team continues to tell the company that they are at the table to improve the lives of our members, not to help the company fill the pockets of their millionaire executives. If you haven’t already taken a look at AT&T’s quarterly earnings statement, we recommend that you read through it. You will find that this is an extremely profitable company, and they have more than enough “free cash flow” to provide us with the wages and benefits we deserve. If you have some spare time on your hands, please join your brothers and sisters at the informational pickets taking place across District 3. The strength of our Union rests in the hands of our membership. Our bargaining team can only wield the strength you give them!
Bargaining Report #35
August 06, 2024
Unfortunately, there has been no real progress at the bargaining table. Our bargaining team met with the company this morning. Based on the proposals passed by the company at the bargaining table today, it's becoming increasingly clear that AT&T is not serious about reaching an agreement. We have now reached a critical stage in negotiations.
Our bargaining team has gone to the table time and time again, expressing to the company that our members want a contract and that our team is ready to reach an agreement. The company continues to make absurd proposals that stand in the way of an agreement. These proposals include: Wage increases that are far from being acceptable, large increases in healthcare premiums, deductibles, and max out of pocket costs, changes to Article 14, no contract improvements whatsoever for Wire Technicians, dramatically expanding the scope of work for Wire Technicians with no increase in pay, reducing termination pay, reductions to sick time, cuts to night differential, etc.
Our bargaining team continues to push back against the company's ridiculous proposals and fight for what our members want and deserve. CWA has made numerous proposals at the bargaining table that would increase the standard of living for our members and improve their work/life balance. These proposals include: Wage increases that reflect today's economic conditions, lowering the healthcare premiums, deductibles, and max out of pockets costs to reflect lower healthcare expenses for CWA members in the Southeast, no layoffs, forced overtime improvements, service observing improvements for call center workers, protecting Article 14, Increasing SIPP, and numerous improvements for Wire Technicians. CWA's proposals for Wire Technicians include wage scale upgrades, improved scheduling and time off, reductions to forced overtime, double time payments, surplus protections, and proposals on many other important issues.
Our bargaining team will be meeting with the company's team again this afternoon. We will once again send a strong message to the company that our members want a contract, and they wanted it three days ago. AT&T needs to understand that the expiration date on our contract means something. While our bargaining team goes to the bargaining table to fight for you, please make sure you are doing what it takes to let the company know that all of District 3 is ready to fight for the contract we deserve. We deserve more in 24!
Bargaining Report #34
Unfortunately, there is not a lot to report today other than some high-level communications both internally at CWA and between CWA and the Company. While the latest Company wage proposals are laughably inadequate, we are also dealing with a huge gap between our vision and theirs of how the benefits package needs to be structured to reach an agreement. The Company believes we should contribute a higher percentage of the cost than we are willing to accept. D3 leadership has put the Company on notice that we are here to bargain a fair contract for our members, including higher wages and better benefits, and the Company’s math isn’t working for us or our members. It remains as important as ever to stay mobilized, continue wearing your colors and keep up the informational pickets! Techs should put CWA or red shirts on their truck seats and members in the Consumer/Small Business organizations should put a CWA or red shirt over their desk chairs. Let’s show the Company that we are ready for whatever may come and are willing to Fight for More in 24!
Bargaining Report #33
Today we met with the Company and gave them a couple of package proposals, one on common interests for our members and one on work rules. The Company will be reviewing those proposals and we should hear back from them tomorrow. Some of what the Company has laid on the table over the past couple of weeks has been woefully disgraceful to say the least. We are hopeful that tomorrow they show better decision-making skills. While we are appreciative of everyone’s mobilization efforts that have been shared through texts and social media over the last several weeks, please understand that NOW, more than ever, it is important for everyone to mobilize like never before. Please be wearing the appropriate color shirts if possible (Blue - Mon, White - Wed, Red - Thur and Black - Fri), wear CWA swag, place a red shirt on the passenger seat of your Company vehicle and perform informational picketing when and where possible. The Company needs to know that we are ready for WHATEVER may come next. Remember, we are ready to fight for more in 24!
Bargaining Report #32
August 05, 2024
Between meeting with the Company numerous times, having Union caucuses and crunching numbers, saying that we have been busy today would be an understatement. With the contract expiration quickly closing in on us, we want to give all of you a more detailed report of where we stand as of today. While we cannot provide every detail due to the number of issues that are still subject to change, we want to provide as much information as possible to update you on some items. For Consumer and Small Business, we have proposals that deal with Exchange Time and Service Observing language still on the table. For Core, we have proposals regarding the Overtime Cap and language for bumping into Wire Technician positions still open. For Wire Technicians, we have proposals addressing Schedules, Overtime Caps, Overtime Notifications, Pensions and more. We also have proposals open that affect multiple groups and departments such as increasing the PARTNERSHIP funding and the Uniform Program. While we have rejected proposals that the Company has given us that were of no benefit whatsoever to our members, we think that it is important to note the Company has rejected proposals that our members want, including moving the Wire Technicians to Core, Wage proposals, Benefits proposals and working from home options. At times over the last couple of weeks there have been some tense moments at the Bargaining Table, but none as tense as the last couple of days. Please keep in mind that we are currently miles apart on the items that are important to our members. At this time District 3 Leadership has decided that we will work without a Contract. Everyone be ready for whatever may come. Remember, there is strength in numbers, and we are as strong as ever when we are mobilized as ONE!
Bargaining Report #31
August 02, 2024
The Bargaining Team spent most of the morning preparing proposals and getting ready for our next meeting with the Company. It was the Company’s turn to respond to our package proposal we submitted late last night, and we did not have lofty expectations for what they would bring back to the table. Unfortunately, they met those expectations by handing us an unacceptable package when we met this afternoon. This is a recurring pattern. We are currently reviewing their proposal to formulate a response and will be scheduling another meeting with them later tonight. Make sure that you stay mobilized and ready, just as you have been doing. Thanks to Locals 3514 & 3517 for dinner tonight, we are appreciative of all the support that we have received from everyone!
Bargaining Report #30
August 02, 2024
The Bargaining Team worked on research most of the morning yesterday while waiting for the Company to respond to our latest proposals. When we met yesterday afternoon, they rejected our package proposal and submitted a new package to us that we took back, reviewed and found totally inadequate. After working for hours to formulate a response, we met again with the Company last night and submitted a new package that included improvements for everyone in our bargaining unit. After walking them through our comprehensive proposal step by step, they asked for time to caucus and review what we had presented and asked us to stay onsite while they did so. After a lengthy wait, they did not even have the courtesy to come back to the table to say they needed more time, much less to counter our offer or even reject it. Instead, they sent the text message below telling us “You may leave.” We obviously struck a nerve by demanding the Company to give our members what you have worked so hard for and rightfully deserve, and they responded by behaving disrespectfully. Keep up the excellent work you are doing with your mobilization efforts and know that we are on a mission and will not let their unprofessional behavior deter us. Thanks to Local 3603 for providing lunch yesterday, it hit the spot.
Bargaining Report #29
Last night after the bargaining report was submitted for distribution, the Bargaining Team met again with the Company. We provided a revised package proposal that would benefit our members and we are still waiting for the Company’s response. Most of today was spent poring over data and reviewing open proposals in preparation for our next meeting. A special thanks goes out to the D3 Mobilization Team for providing a great lunch today.
Bargaining Report #28
Most of the day today was spent going through proposals, breaking down issues one by one and evaluating plans and next steps. We did meet with the Company this afternoon and received a package proposal from them that we are less than enthusiastic to speak on. We are very appreciative of the encouraging post cards that we received from Local 3808 and for the awesome pizza that Local 3511 provided for lunch. We couldn’t do this without all of you and the encouragement that we receive from you on a regular basis. Thanks again and let;s continue fighting for more in 24!
Bargaining Report #27
This morning the Bargaining Team met with the Company, and they made two counter proposals. One was regarding the Success Sharing Plan and the other was a Wage proposal that we can only describe as ridiculous. We regrouped and drafted another proposal showing the Company a more realistic plan for what our members have in mind. Keep on fighting the good fight wherever you are, and we will keep doing the same here! Thanks to the Florida Locals for providing lunch, it was greatly appreciated.
Bargaining Report #26
Today we met with the Company and rejected a package proposal that they had sent our way yesterday that we didn't see as being beneficial for our members. Once again, we countered with a package proposal that is aligned with our members’ needs. We also gave the Company a package proposal regarding wage increases. We spent the rest of the day today going over data and studying for the rest of this week's moves. Thanks for all the pictures that we have seen of everyone at the rally yesterday and the people performing the informational pickets. Keep on keeping on, fighting for more in 24!
Bargaining Report #25
After the bargaining report was sent for distribution yesterday, the Bargaining Team and the Company met again last night. In that meeting, the CWA Chair informed the Company that we have major concerns over the package they proposed. Some of their proposed language was an absolute insult to the employees who generate big revenue and profits for the Company. We then submitted another comprehensive Union package proposal that sums up a lot of what our members have expressed and is important to them. Today we met with the Company, and they let us know that they are currently taking a hard stance on wage increases. We will be meeting amongst ourselves throughout the night caucusing, studying proposals and planning our next steps. We want to thank all of those who sent cookies to the Bargaining Team today, the Georgia Locals for cooking the great barbecue today, and to all of our CWA family for showing up and showing out at the rally. Thanks also to CWA President Claude Cummings for taking time to attend the rally and show his support for all District 3 members. It was great spending time with our brothers and sisters letting the Company know that we mean business!
Bargaining Report #24
July 27, 2024
Late yesterday afternoon we went back to meet with the Company and gave them another comprehensive package that dealt with a lot of concerns that our members have . Today the Company has spent the day formulating a response to that package and we are scheduled to return later to discuss it. We want to thank the Louisiana Locals for the awesome lunch that was provided today as well as the dinner that is planned. We look forward to seeing all of our CWA family tomorrow at the rally. Stay mobilized and stay ready, fight for more in 24!
Bargaining Report #23
At today's bargaining session we provided the Company with a large package proposal that included a long list of items. Some of those items included Exchange Time, the Uniform Program, the Wire Technician Addendum, making upgrades to the Wage Scales, Wage Zones and Areas and increasing Partnership funding. Unfortunately, it seems the Company didn't event take the time to consider our members’ needs and voices before rejecting the proposal. All Bargaining Team members want to give a big thanks to Local 3704 for lunch today, it was needed after the meeting we had! As always, thanks for the mobilization pictures, it's encouraging to us to see so many of you Union strong!
Bargaining Report #22
Today the Bargaining Team met with the Company to deal with proposals concerning the Panel process and the length of time disciplinary entries remain in employees’ records. We presented a proposal to the Company which would decrease the cost of benefits and improve pensions, and the Company handed us a wage proposal that was woefully dreadful, to say the least. We need everyone standing strong and united during this time. Let the Company know that we are fighting for more in 24. Thanks to Local 3803 for the great lunch today.
Bargaining Report #21
Today the Bargaining Team and the Company met to deal with proposals regarding Wage Scales, the UFO Wire Technician Addendum, Wages, and MOAs. The CWA chair informed the Company that if they want to reach an agreement then they need to start considering making substantial changes to the UFO Wire Technician Addendum. A special thanks goes out to the Georgia Locals for the dinner that was provided for the Bargaining Teams yesterday evening and thanks to Local 3201 for the gift box that was sent. We are also loving the pictures of everyone mobilizing, stay after it!
Bargaining Report #20
July 22, 2024
Today the Bargaining Team met to go over additional proposals, study information and documents that have been provided and prepare for more meetings that will be had throughout the upcoming week. Thanks to everyone who has reached out and sent in the pictures of your mobilization efforts. It's encouraging to see everyone united together!
Bargaining Report #19
The CWA Bargaining Team and Company met today for a bargaining session where the Company rejected yet another Union proposal for the Wire Technicians. The Company then submitted new proposals regarding Relocation, Strikes and Lockout, Wire Technicians “working up” and Night Differential. Thanks to Local 3406 for the gift basket that was sent, we really appreciate it. Stay strong everyone, we need your support and need to see you mobilized. Keep posting the pictures and know that we are here for you just as you all are there for us. Thanks for all that you are doing!
Bargaining Report #18
Today CWA and the Company met at the Bargaining Table with several proposals being made and several being rejected. Today's biggest takeaway is that we are still miles apart on some of the issues including Wire Technician work-life balance, upgrading Wage Scales, Wage Zones, Exchange Time, Service Observing, call and chat volume, Work from Home, and more.
Bargaining Report #17
The Bargaining Team met today with the Company and CWA made proposals relating to Holidays, Wage Scale language, and the Uniform Program, and rejected several Company proposals. The Company rejected several Union proposals and made several of their own regarding Termination Pay, Illness days, Wire Technician scope of work, and Pay and Basis of Compensation. Thanks to everyone for all that you’re doing on the informational pickets, it makes a difference seeing everyone mobilized!
Bargaining Report #16
Effective July 15, all Consumer Subcommittee items have been moved to the main AT&T Southeast table due to a lack of movement on the Company’s part. The CWA Subcommittee worked hard to stress the importance of several issues including working from home, flexible time off, service observing language improvements, and other Union demands. The Company repeatedly expressed they have no interest in making changes to much of the language we have proposed because they claim it doesn’t fit their needs for the wireline business. The Consumer Subcommittee put the Company on notice that the Bargaining Team has stated they aren’t leaving here without some of those items. The Wire Technician Subcommittee met with the Company today for several hours discussing proposals and ongoing issues. The rest of the Bargaining Team worked on proposals throughout the day. Thanks to Local 3310 for lunch and to Local 3607 for the gift basket, both items were very encouraging to the team!
Bargaining Report #15
July 15, 2024
Today most of the Subcommittees met with the Company and had lengthy discussions surrounding several open proposals. We also spent time caucusing and preparing for this week’s upcoming meetings. Last week the Bargaining Team made several proposals letting the Company know that we want language that results in better overall working conditions for the Wire Technicians. The Company in return let us know that they were currently uninterested in entertaining any of those proposals, so we are letting them know that is unacceptable! We are here to take a stand for our members. So stay ready and let’s see those mobilization pictures!
Bargaining Report #14
July 14, 2024
Today the Bargaining Team has been working on proposals and caucusing most of the day. We will be meeting with the Company for an afternoon bargaining session later today and will be ready to get back after it again in the morning. Thanks to everyone who has been sending in the great mobilization pictures! STAY MOBILIZED! FIGHT FOR MORE IN 24!
Bargaining Report #13
July 13, 2024
Yesterday the Bargaining Team met with the Company after the report was sent out. During that Bargaining session, the Company rejected several of our proposals and we made a couple more. The Wire Tech Subcommittee has been meeting with the Company tirelessly throughout the week as well as today and has been getting the sense that the Company doesn’t have a desire to move much in our direction at the moment. Several other Subcommittees met with the Company yesterday as well and we have all had the same report as we come out of the meetings, which is that the Company doesn’t seem to have a desire to lean our way on a voluntary basis. Today the Bargaining Team met with the Company and was able to reach an agreement on a couple of our proposals concerning the AT&T SE Billing Unit. A lot of time has also been spent today in caucus studying and preparing more proposals.
Bargaining Report #12
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