CWA District 3 Reaches Tentative Agreement at AT&T Mobility

CWA's District 3 bargaining team reached a tentative four-year agreement at AT&T Mobility that provides wage increases of 10 percent, upgrades job titles and includes other improvements.

The tentative agreement, reached just before the April 16 contract expiration, covers more than 11,200 workers. The bargaining committee unanimously recommended ratification; members will be voting on the proposed agreement.

A full bargaining report is posted here.

"Given the still tough economic times, our bargaining team achieved a good economic package, plus job upgrades and other improvements important to Mobility members," said CWA District 3 Vice President Judy Dennis.

The settlement provides for a 2.75 percent wage increase in the first contract year, retroactive to March 26, and increases of 2.25 percent in 2011 and 2.5 percent in both 2012 and 2013, along with a $500 ratification bonus.

Three new job titles in call centers mean upgrades for more than 800 workers, and the wireless technician I title was upgraded to wireless technician II. AT&T has agreed to meet to discuss other job title upgrades.

In other gains, on-call pay was increased from $20 to $34 per day, and retail store workers assigned to perform managerial closing or opening duties will be paid a 10 percent differential.

Workers would gain some flexibility in taking time off; new language provides that excused days with pay can be taken in one-hour rather than two-hour increments.

Severance pay was increased to $16,000, and AT&T Mobility will provide CWA with a 60-day notice before announcing force adjustments that affect units of 50 or more employees.

The company also agreed to revise call quality observation language, basing it more on coaching and development.