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CWA reported earlier in a press release that overall 88 percent of AT&T members voted in favor of strike authorization in balloting conducted by CWA locals whose members number nearly 125,000 in six separate contracts. You can read the full press release at here. It's a good thing that we sent that overwhelming message to AT&T.
We have just received the bargaining report from the Midwest table, it is as follows:
Negotiations continue at the Midwest Regional Table with no significant progress to report. Our Bargaining committee rejected a series of retrogressive management proposals. The details of some of these proposals will give members a sense of AT&T's attitude at the table.
The company's healthcare proposal included huge monthly premiums for family coverage and out of pocket expenses of thousands of dollars a year for both active members and future retirees.
They proposed the following changes to the pension plan: Effective January 1, 2010, Lump Sum Pension accrual would cease and any Pension Benefits accrued after January 1, 2010, could be taken only in a monthly annuity. Lump Sum Pensions taken after January 1, 2010, and accrued prior to January 1, 2010, would be calculated using the Pension Protection Act which would reduce Lump Sum Pension amounts.
They proposed leveraged titles for Service Reps that put nearly half of their wages at risk -- over 40% in some cases!
They have proposed changes to Article 26, which would virtually eliminate all Employment Security.
They have refused to make any improvements to Prem Techs, Dispatchers, and others in Appendix F. In fact, they proposed making conditions worse!
The company refuses to merge DataCom and COS into the core contract. They insist on separate bargaining.
They refuse to discuss retirees, assuring the benefits of existing retirees are protected.
Remember AT&T posted profits of $12.9 billion last year- there is no reason to hurt employees or retirees. United We Stand.
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