AT&T "Legacy T" Bargaining Report #20

First of all, the Bargaining Team was glad to hear so many Locals represented on last night's conference call.  The reports on Mobilization activities by our C&T Mobilization Coordinator, Shari Wojtowicz, showed that all over the country members are taking steps to demand a fair agreement – in their workplaces, with customers, and by reaching out to other workers.  We all stressed that this must continue and build in strength over the next few days – and probably over the next few weeks (judging by how negotiations are going right now).  Today, the bargaining team all wore shirts from Local 2252.  The Local's President is facing discipline for a rally they held in Oakton last week with Presidents from around the country.  VP Maly made it clear we will not allow the Company to hold our Local leaders hostage for doing what they should do to win a good Contract.

Today was typical of the way the Company is bargaining:

·  They rejected our proposals to shorten the time that terms may be used, since the Company is abusing the way they use term employees.

·  They rejected our proposal that would have given more flexibility in using EW Days.

·  They rejected our proposal to strengthen the Contracting Out language.

·  They rejected our proposal to increase city allowance to make up for the huge increase in commuting expenses (since they previously rejected our proposal for a Commuter Allowance).

·  They rejected our proposal to fix some problems in Article 9 and Article 4.

Here we are, less than three days from expiration, and all they gave us was language to keep the Service Anniversary program.  They also want to increase the amount they can give people as incentive awards without bargaining with the Union.  This from a Company that doesn't want to put a wage increase into our base for the first two years of our Contract!  This is completely insulting to our members.

The Union rejected the Company's proposal to put a time limit on JOG and take it away from some of our current members and all future members.  We also re-introduced shifted tour language for Article 32 and board and lodging payments for our Construction Technicians.  Most of the big issues we have raised have not been responded to by the Company.

We are waiting to meet with the Company again later today; and if we have something to report on that meeting, it will be posted tomorrow.