Bargaining Update

AT&T Mobility

CWA's Mobility National Benefits Bargaining Committee reached a new tentative agreement with AT&T Mobility covering health care and other benefits for 42,000 workers.

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor said CWA "accomplished our main goal, which was to put health care benefits bargaining back in the regional bargaining agreement process and to make health care affordable for all Mobility workers."

An earlier agreement was voted down last month, and continued negotiations resulted in the tentative proposal that is being provided to the membership for a ratification vote.

Among the highlights of the new proposed agreement:

• Reduced premium costs for 20,000 employees hired after 2014.
• Employees with dependent children and no covered spouse will pay lower rates under a new 4-tier contribution structure.
• Employees in Puerto Rico will be able to take advantage of popular HMO plans with much lower contribution rates.
• A new "Option 2" plan will be introduced with lower premium costs.

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Verizon

An NLRB administrative law judge has ordered Verizon to reinstate Wireless leader Bianca Cunningham, declaring that she was fired for engaging in union activity.

Judge John T. Giannopoulos confirmed what CWAers have known all along: Verizon fired Cunningham because she was a leader and headed organizing among wireless workers at six Brooklyn stores. Those workers joined CWA Local 1109. Cunningham was fired in September 2015.

CWA called on Verizon to end its attacks on workers' rights to organize and respect the rights of Wireless workers who want to join the union.

Bianca Cunningham and CWA District 1 VP Dennis Trainor at a CWA rally outside a Times Square Verizon Wireless store in October, 2015.

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Mercy Hospital

CWA Local 1133, representing Mercy Hospital workers in Buffalo, NY, held an informational picket and rally on Tuesday to call on Catholic Health to deliver a fair contract.

The Mercy Hospital contract expired on June 4, 2016. Members are fighting against inadequate staffing levels, deplorable working conditions, and disrespectful management. They are putting the pressure on Catholic Health to prioritize patient and worker safety over executive bonuses and to stop breaking the laws that protect union members.

In July, Local 1133 members working at Mercy Hospital overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike.

"There is an agreement here to be reached, and we are committed to doing that, but our members have absolutely spoken and if we have resistance in getting that agreement, then they are willing to walk the line," said CWA Upstate NY Area Director Debora Hayes.

CWA Local 1133, representing Mercy Hospital workers in Buffalo, NY, held an informational picket and rally on Tuesday to call on Catholic Health to deliver a fair contract.