There is no surplus for the third quarter at AT&T Southeast. Those hoping for a SIPP offer may still want to put in a request. Due to other provisions of the contract, there is a slight chance that an individual offer could be made.

June 3, 2009

CWA bargainers, under the direction of Chair Bill Bates, have reached agreement with Avaya.

Avaya representatives came to the table speaking from one side of their mouths requesting unprecedented concessionary demands, and speaking from the other side wanting to bargain a fair contract.

As Bargaining progressed, it became increasingly clear to the team that hard decisions would be necessary to bring home an agreement that would meet submitted demands from the membership and, at the same time, protect health care benefits for present and former CWA represented employees.

Ongoing mobilization from the Call Centers provided the backing needed to the bargaining team and sent a message to Avaya of that support.  Thank you, Call Centers, from the entire bargaining team.

Highlights of the Agreement:

• Continuation of Alliance Funding

• Certification program reduction to offset health care costs (6 months payment suspension)

• 401K (1 year suspension of match to offset health care costs)

• Job security for all titles – no layoffs for 9 months

• Active medical health care benefits – no premiums, no deductible.

• Retiree medical health care benefits ($15M added to VEBA to offset subsequent years' costs) same as active

• Improved safety language (paid rest time after unusually long work periods)

• Improved funeral leave

• Improved travel allowances Article 16

• GPS language letter

• Voluntary unpaid excused work week (VUEWW)

• Wage increase:  First year lump sum of $1250; second year 2.75%; third year 2.75%

• Title upgrade – CSAC to CCR

• Pension increase for active:  first year 4%; also reduction of age calculator to age 63 for lump sum.

• Continuation of Avaya Award

• Term pay retention

• Coordinator retention

Further detailed information will be posted on the CWA web site in the near future.

In Unity,
Bill Bates, CWA, Chair
Art Frindt, CWA 4340
Kevin Kimber, CWA 6016
Richie Meringolo, CWA 1101
Phil Pennington, CWA 4320

AT&T presented its last, best, and final offer to the CWA in District 6(SBC). The "final offer" is disgusting and so is AT&T's crude attempt to put a positve spin on it. You can get the truth by clicking on the All Districts bargaining link on this page and go to District 6 bargaining.

Stay tuned and stay ready. This is an attack on those of us in District 3 as much as it is on District 6. 

President Rhonda Taylor will be updating this site as information becomes available.

                        RUMOR, RUMOR, RUMOR

RUMOR HAS IT THAT AT&T TOOK 418 PEOPLE TO HONOLULU, HAWAII TO A CONFERENCE AT THE HILTON HAWAII VILLAGE AT WAIKIKI BEACH, WHERE IT IS SAID THAT SHERYL CROW WAS THE TOP PERFORMER. 

NOW YOU KNOW WHY THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR OUR HEALTHCARE!!!!!

Bargaining updates can be found by clicking the links on the upper left side of the page.  Should you have any questions, please contact the local.

We received word from the CWA district office that a co-worker was robbed at gun point yesterday here in Alabama. After he opened a cross box and stooped to work the person seemingly came out of nowhere.

Please take the extra time to check your surroundings. If you aren't sure its safe, contact your supervisor or the police and get help.
Be safe, always.

AT&T has released its first quarter profit numbers. The number to remember is 3.1 billion dollars. Not bad for the first quarter, and up 700 million dollars from the 2.4 billion reported in the fourth quarter.

It is time for AT&T to stop the foolishness and come to the table with real proposals. AT&T makes way too much money to be asking for concessions. We will update as information becomes available.

Rhonda Taylor
President

Colleen Downing & Local 6450 made a great video drawing attention to our struggle at AT&T and what it would mean to lose health care.  They want to get the public involved in what is going on with the fight against AT&T.  Please take the time to sign the www.standupforworkers.com e-petition and share it with others.

Bargaining continues in the other districts with little or no progress. We continue to mobilize and prepare for whatever it takes.

AT&T made a profit of 12.9 billion dollars in 2008. CEO Randy Stephenson says the company is on track for solid growth in 2009. AT&T is a very successful company, thanks to us.

Share these well documented facts with your family, your neighbors, your preacher, and with your legislator. Share them with all who will listen.  And please continue to check the bargaining updates from the other districts.

Rhonda Taylor
President

Legacy T hasn't reached an agreement and employees are currently working under the old agreement. Be ready at anytime, as there could be a work stoppage. Report #24 recaps several important topics and more details than we've seen before. Please continue to check the updates as they will be important for our fellow members as well as our own district.

Below you can find Legacy T Updates. Click here for all other districts.

Core AT&T Reports (Legacy T)
Core AT&T Bargaining Report #21
Core AT&T Bargaining Report #22
Core AT&T Bargaining Report #23
Core AT&T Bargaining Report #24