Bargaining Update

CWA Wins Settlement for Mobility Retail Store Workers

CWA has won a settlement covering AT&T Mobility retail store workers that includes individual financial payments and allows retail workers to sit down if customers also choose to be seated. Until now, retail store workers were required to stand for their entire shift.

"This is a major victory for our Mobility members who for the first time will be able to enjoy some relief from standing the entire work day," said Bill Bates, CWA vice president for Telecommunications and Technologies. As part of the settlement, AT&T will redesign the stores with learning tables; each table will be equipped with stools that can be utilized by sales associates and the customer during the sales and service interaction. By the end of 2014 about 1,400 stores will have been redesigned, Bates said.

The settlement resolves a grievance and arbitration claim filed by CWA in California. It covers nearly 24,000 retail sales AT&T Mobility workers nationwide. Payments will be made within 60 days after the settlement is finalized.

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SuperShuttle

Faith leaders and union supporters stand with SuperShuttle drivers in Denver.

Below: SuperShuttle drivers demand a fair contract.

SuperShuttle drivers in Denver, members of CWA Local 7777, are spotlighting the company's most recent contract demand that would cut their pay by 30 percent and cut the hours drivers could work each week.

The drivers were joined by faith leaders and union supporters at a news conference outside the Denver City and County Building.

"We're not looking for a handout – we just want to be able to work hard and provide for our families," said Mr. Fekadu Ejigdegsew, who came to America from Ethiopia after his family gained visas through a government lottery in 2001. In Ethiopia, Ejigdegsew was a government official in charge of the country's national parks.

Following the news conference, a caravan of 25 drivers drove through downtown to Denver International Airport.

Negotiations resume this week.

Like them on Facebook.

On Facebook, you can sign the petition that calls on the Colorado legislature and Governor John Hickenlooper (D) to support the drivers' fight for fairness. Or click here.

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Chicago Sun-Times and Gary Post-Tribune

After 15 months of bargaining, Chicago Newspaper Guild bargaining units at the Chicago Sun-Times and Gary Post-Tribune voted to ratify a new contract. The contract eliminates two weeks of furlough days, provides a 2 percent raise in 2016 and improves severance and job security. And in a big victory, it will restore jobs for four of the Sun-Times photojournalists, who were fired last May when the newspaper said it wanted to "restructure" its multimedia.