Arbitrator Delays Decision on AT&T Mobility Health Care Until December

An arbitration ruling on health care benefits for 40,000 CWA members at AT&T Mobility has been postponed until Dec. 12.

The decision was originally expected to be handed down by Nov. 21, but the arbitrator requested more time, CWA National Telecom Director Bill Bates said.

The case involves the company's attempt to make workers pick up a significantly larger share of their health care costs. In a three-day arbitration hearing in September, CWA leaders said AT&T's position was unacceptable and unreasonable, given the company's financial health.

CWA's agreement with AT&T Mobility provides for binding arbitration to resolve disputes in the health care plan. Four separate contracts cover CWA members at Mobility but all share the same benefit plans.