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Cingular Wireless Bargaining Underway in Atlanta
Bargaining between CWA and Cingular Wireless is continuing in Atlanta, with the CWA team outlining key issues that include working conditions and job security of members in light of the merger with AT&T Wireless.
The "Orange" contract, covering 5,300 Cingular workers in CWA Districts 1, 2, 4, 7, 9 and 13, expires Feb. 5. The contract covering Cingular workers in District 3 expires March 26, 2006, and the agreement in District 6 expires Feb. 24, 2008.
Cingular workers across the districts are continuing to mobilize and are wearing stickers that tell 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 very tough fight," said bargaining committee Chair Teri Pluta of CWA District 4.
The CWA team outlined goals for substantial improvements in the contract, including wage and incentive increases that reflect growth in the industry and inflation. Job security, monitoring, job stress, and career paths are also key issues.
Management's bargaining team talked of "industry challenges" but cited the mutual respect and values that Cingular and CWA have built.
The CWA team raised questions concerning management language on several issues, including the grievance process, surpluses, safety and health committees and other areas. Bargainers also agreed to establish a subcommittee to take up job titles and job descriptions, a discussion that is "imperative to negotiations over wages," CWA said.
Pointing to the impact of the integration of AT&T Wireless on the bargaining process, the CWA team formally called on Cingular to bring any changes in practices and policies to the bargaining table before seeking to institute them.
As bargaining continues, the CWA team is reviewing information it has requested from management, preparing responses and counters to proposals, and developing additional proposals based on member surveys. More information is available at ga.cwa-union.org/cingular.
The "Orange" contract, covering 5,300 Cingular workers in CWA Districts 1, 2, 4, 7, 9 and 13, expires Feb. 5. The contract covering Cingular workers in District 3 expires March 26, 2006, and the agreement in District 6 expires Feb. 24, 2008.
Cingular workers across the districts are continuing to mobilize and are wearing stickers that tell 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 very tough fight," said bargaining committee Chair Teri Pluta of CWA District 4.
The CWA team outlined goals for substantial improvements in the contract, including wage and incentive increases that reflect growth in the industry and inflation. Job security, monitoring, job stress, and career paths are also key issues.
Management's bargaining team talked of "industry challenges" but cited the mutual respect and values that Cingular and CWA have built.
The CWA team raised questions concerning management language on several issues, including the grievance process, surpluses, safety and health committees and other areas. Bargainers also agreed to establish a subcommittee to take up job titles and job descriptions, a discussion that is "imperative to negotiations over wages," CWA said.
Pointing to the impact of the integration of AT&T Wireless on the bargaining process, the CWA team formally called on Cingular to bring any changes in practices and policies to the bargaining table before seeking to institute them.
As bargaining continues, the CWA team is reviewing information it has requested from management, preparing responses and counters to proposals, and developing additional proposals based on member surveys. More information is available at ga.cwa-union.org/cingular.