AT&T "Legacy T" Bargaining Report #10

Today was Health Care Action Day, and activities took place all over the country.  Even at the Bargaining Table, the bargainers wore surgical masks and bandages, displayed their medications, and filled the room with a clear message that AT&T should NOT be shifting health care costs to our members.

Every day there are articles in the financial press about how financially healthy AT&T is; how analysts recommend investors buy AT&T stock because of its high dividend; how it will benefit from the stimulus package money for broadband infrastructure.  Just this week this was reported:

"The company continues to make large investments – which should amount to around $17 billion to $18 billion this year – expecting to weather the current economic downturn relatively well, Stephenson said.

"AT&T's traffic has increased 50 percent year over year, largely in video and data.  As an additional sign of its economic health, Stephenson pointed out the company has increased its dividends in all 25 years of its history, including during the 2001-2002 downturn."

There is NO REASON AT ALL THAT AT&T SHOULD BE COMING TO THE TABLE EVERY DAY ASKING FOR GIVEBACKS.  You should make that point clear every day in your mobilization activities and when you cast your strike vote.

Today was a short bargaining session.  The Union presented a demand for the Construction Technicians and schedules were set for new subcommittees.