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Cingular Wireless Bargaining Underway in Atlanta
Bargaining between CWA and Cingular Wireless got underway on Jan. 12 in Atlanta, with the CWA team passing several non-economic proposals concerning working conditions, job security of members in light of the merger with AT&T Wireless, and other issues.
The talks cover 5,300 Cingular workers in CWA Districts 1, 2, 4, 7, 9 and 13 whose contract expires Feb. 5. The contract covering Cingular workers in District 3 expires Mar. 26, 2006, and the agreement covering Cingular workers in District 6 expires Feb. 24, 2008.
On Jan. 13, Cingular workers across the districts held mobilization actions and wore stickers telling management, "We're raising the bar too."
"Job security is a huge issue, and we'll need the strong support of all our members in what will be a tough fight," said bargaining committee chair Teri Pluta of CWA District 4.
In his opening statement in Atlanta, Frank Garon, who chairs the management bargaining team, talked of "industry challenges" but did cite the mutual respect and values that Cingular and CWA have built. Management also offered some initial proposals to the union team.
The CWA team raised questions concerning management language on several issues, including the grievance process, surpluses, safety and health committees and other areas.
Bargainers agreed to establish a subcommittee to take up job titles and job descriptions. Pluta pointed out that when the first contract was negotiated, there were 2,500 titles forced into 14 classifications and "we would like to take the opportunity to clean that up." This discussion is "imperative" to negotiations over wages, she said.
Pointing to the impact of the integration of AT&T Wireless on the bargaining process, the CWA team formally called on Cingular to "cease and desist from any force adjustment or policy and practice changes" and to bring such changes in practices and policies to the bargaining table.
The CWA team continues to review information it has requested from management, prepare responses and counters to proposals, and develop additional proposals based on member surveys.
The talks cover 5,300 Cingular workers in CWA Districts 1, 2, 4, 7, 9 and 13 whose contract expires Feb. 5. The contract covering Cingular workers in District 3 expires Mar. 26, 2006, and the agreement covering Cingular workers in District 6 expires Feb. 24, 2008.
On Jan. 13, Cingular workers across the districts held mobilization actions and wore stickers telling management, "We're raising the bar too."
"Job security is a huge issue, and we'll need the strong support of all our members in what will be a tough fight," said bargaining committee chair Teri Pluta of CWA District 4.
In his opening statement in Atlanta, Frank Garon, who chairs the management bargaining team, talked of "industry challenges" but did cite the mutual respect and values that Cingular and CWA have built. Management also offered some initial proposals to the union team.
The CWA team raised questions concerning management language on several issues, including the grievance process, surpluses, safety and health committees and other areas.
Bargainers agreed to establish a subcommittee to take up job titles and job descriptions. Pluta pointed out that when the first contract was negotiated, there were 2,500 titles forced into 14 classifications and "we would like to take the opportunity to clean that up." This discussion is "imperative" to negotiations over wages, she said.
Pointing to the impact of the integration of AT&T Wireless on the bargaining process, the CWA team formally called on Cingular to "cease and desist from any force adjustment or policy and practice changes" and to bring such changes in practices and policies to the bargaining table.
The CWA team continues to review information it has requested from management, prepare responses and counters to proposals, and develop additional proposals based on member surveys.