AT&T "Legacy T" Bargaining Report #38

There have not been any “formal” bargaining sessions so far this week.  The Committee has continued to meet with the Company in subcommittees in an attempt to get some movement on Health Care and a transfer plan that works across all of AT&T.  The sides are still very far apart on both issues.  The Union has made it clear that we will not be willing to move on their issues, while the Company refuses to seriously consider our demands regarding employment security and continues to push so much retrogression.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, May 20, Ralph Maly and the Bargaining Team will be hosting a conference call for all the Legacy T Locals.  Since only one port will be available per Local, contact your Local about how you can hear the call.

Next week is Memorial Day week, and many of our Congressional leaders will be in their home districts.  They need to hear from you, their constituents.  We are asking them to contact Randall Stephenson and express their concern (and distaste) that a VERY profitable company is demanding drastic increases in the amount its employees pay for health care.  If anything, AT&T should be helping to support solutions to this problem instead of just shifting costs.  AT&T needs the support of Congress for many of its long-term plans.  They need to be shown there is a price for attacking their workers and retirees.  Contact your Local about how you can help.  Retirees can be particularly helpful with this activity.

We also want to thank many of the Locals for Mobilization materials you sent to the Bargaining Committee.  Last week Local 7750 sent bags of marbles to present to the Company bargainers with the message, "You must have lost your marbles if you think we will take your give-backs."  We've gotten brooms from 7750 (to sweep up Company garbage demands), desktop picket signs from Local 7250, red health care towels ("Stop the Bleeding") from Local 13550, and more.  Thank you all for your support, and keep up the good work.