News

CWA bargainers in Verizon Southwest and Supply Chain negotiations are fighting back against the company's demands on contracting out and excessive mandatory overtime, and are seeking improvements in health care, employment security and wages, reported District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn.

In one of the mostly profoundly cynical, yet revealing, comments by a corporate robber baron, railroad tycoon Jay Gould, looking to break a strike in 1896, proclaimed: "I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half."

Supported by nationwide mobilization, Local 6171 kicked off bargaining with CenturyTel in quest of improvements in wages, health care, pensions and job security.

Whether volunteering as drivers at campaign stops, helping shape the Democratic platform or serving as delegates, alternates or committee members at next week's convention in Boston, CWAers are an indispensable part of the Kerry-Edwards campaign for the White House.

With August expiration dates approaching, members and their bargaining teams are focused on mobilization and negotiation in their efforts to acquire contracts at BellSouth and Verizon Southwest.