As Bargaining Opens at Avaya, CWA Mobilization is Underway

CWA members at Avaya got ready for bargaining with informational picketing in Oklahoma City, (pictured above), Denver, Florida sites and other locations.

Bargaining for a new contract at Avaya covering about 2,000 CWA members began this week, but CWAers have been mobilizing for more than a month to show management they are united for a fair agreement.

Top issues are preserving health care benefits and reducing or stopping the offshoring of jobs to India and Central America, and the transfer of union jobs to Avaya business partners.

"Management will have little doubt where workers stand," said Ralph Maly, CWA Vice President, Communications and Technologies. "Workers built the company and keep it running, but they will do whatever it takes to get the fair contract that they deserve."
The contract expires at midnight May 23.

At worksites every day, workers stand together in unison at 10 a.m. At call centers CWAers have hung unity chains and union slogans throughout their workplaces. Mobilizing is being ramped up at all locations following the opening of negotiations, but Avaya workers started informational picketing several weeks ago. Outside the Oklahoma City call center, Avaya members braved 40-mile an hour winds at an informational picket line in early April, and their signs said it all: "Don't Touch Our Health Care," "Avaya Do the Right Thing," and "Treat us Wrong and We Will Be Gone."

Avaya is trying to use the economic crisis to cut workers' health care and benefits, said CWA's bargaining team, above. From left: Art Frindt, Local 4340; Richie Meringolo, Local 1101; Phil Pennington, Local 4340; CWA National Telecom Director Bill Bates, chair; and Kevin Kimber, Local 6016. Not pictured is CWA Staff Representative Ruth Marriott.

Avaya, like AT&T and other corporations, is trying to use the nation's economic crisis to press workers for cutbacks, especially in health care, even though the company is financially solid.