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AT&T Executives Hear from Workers, Retirees
In negotiations this week with AT&T, CWA bargainers stressed that AT&T must address members' concerns about jobs and job security. "AT&T has contracted out our work, moved it to management, and misused the Voluntary Termination Pay program," the bargaining committee told the company. "Now, the new AT&T must step up to the plate and commit to the future for all our members. We don't want to continue down the same path" of lost jobs.
The agreement covering 11,000 workers expires Dec. 10.
Meanwhile, CWA active and retired members are continuing their letter-writing campaign, sending letters to top AT&T executives - and copying elected officials - about the serious impact that the company's demands would have on working and retired families.
Here are some excerpts from a letter that Mary Lou Algiere, president of CWA Local 1153, sent to AT&T's Chief Executive Officer David Dorman regarding demands for retiree health care concessions:
"I am writing this letter because as a retiree, I too received the letter telling me I will be losing my benefits. As president of CWA Local 1153, I received several calls from other retirees... We retirees are quite upset. Let me explain why....
"This company was built on the backs of the retirees. It is because of our dedication to this company that CEOs like you could get paid $9 million as a salary and receive $6 million as a bonus...You will now be leaving with $32 million and benefits for life, while we will have to sweat out where we will get the money to pay for our benefits. We, the people who built this company now have to worry about where the money will come from to pay our benefits, while you, with all your millions, will have your benefits for life.
"What really makes things worse is that someone like me, who is 67 years old and sick with cancer, will not be able to get even a part time job to cover the expense. When people retire, nothing should change for them as it is most difficult for them to find other ways to compensate for the financial losses."
The agreement covering 11,000 workers expires Dec. 10.
Meanwhile, CWA active and retired members are continuing their letter-writing campaign, sending letters to top AT&T executives - and copying elected officials - about the serious impact that the company's demands would have on working and retired families.
Here are some excerpts from a letter that Mary Lou Algiere, president of CWA Local 1153, sent to AT&T's Chief Executive Officer David Dorman regarding demands for retiree health care concessions:
"I am writing this letter because as a retiree, I too received the letter telling me I will be losing my benefits. As president of CWA Local 1153, I received several calls from other retirees... We retirees are quite upset. Let me explain why....
"This company was built on the backs of the retirees. It is because of our dedication to this company that CEOs like you could get paid $9 million as a salary and receive $6 million as a bonus...You will now be leaving with $32 million and benefits for life, while we will have to sweat out where we will get the money to pay for our benefits. We, the people who built this company now have to worry about where the money will come from to pay our benefits, while you, with all your millions, will have your benefits for life.
"What really makes things worse is that someone like me, who is 67 years old and sick with cancer, will not be able to get even a part time job to cover the expense. When people retire, nothing should change for them as it is most difficult for them to find other ways to compensate for the financial losses."