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Cingular Workers in Puerto Rico Join CWA
Cingular Wireless retail workers in Puerto Rico were already celebrating a breakthrough in organizing, with American Arbitration Association certification for 325 employees at nine regional stores and 115 kiosks, when on Aug. 16, District 3 Vice President Jimmy Smith announced additional AAA verification of clear majorities among 29 network technicians and 194 representatives at the company’s customer service center in San Juan.
CWA is also working to organize Cingular’s warehouse, legal department and another unit, District 3 Organizing Coordinator Hugh Wolfe said.
“They’re doing a heck of a job down here,” Smith said. “We’ll have about 700 new members when we’re finished.”
Local 3010 President Angelo Andujar welcomed the Cingular workers. “We are very happy to have them join us,” he said. “They will be well-represented, and we hope to have a good relationship with the company for years to come.”
Local 3010 Organizer Jorge Rodriguez said 65 percent of the retail workers, spread out in nine districts across the island, signed CWA representation cards between May 15 and June 3.
Workers who took the lead in organizing included Eddie Hernandez, a repair technician at one of the stores. “He did a great job communicating our message, and he e-mailed workers in other Cingular stores,” Rodriquez said.
Andujar attended several meetings to help form organizing committees and Local 3010 Secretary-Treasurer Edwin Gonzalez led the campaign on the west side of the island, obtaining cards from 85 percent of the retail workers there.
Seniority rights and health benefits were key issues. The workers will be covered by CWA’s existing Cingular contract, with adjustments particular to their location.
Rodriquez said that organizers from UPAGRA (TNG-CWA Local 33225) and Local 3150, which represents AT&T workers, helped with the campaign.
Smith also credited Carrie Biggs-Adams, CWA representative for international affairs, who recently conducted an organizing institute for all three CWA locals.
CWA is also working to organize Cingular’s warehouse, legal department and another unit, District 3 Organizing Coordinator Hugh Wolfe said.
“They’re doing a heck of a job down here,” Smith said. “We’ll have about 700 new members when we’re finished.”
Local 3010 President Angelo Andujar welcomed the Cingular workers. “We are very happy to have them join us,” he said. “They will be well-represented, and we hope to have a good relationship with the company for years to come.”
Local 3010 Organizer Jorge Rodriguez said 65 percent of the retail workers, spread out in nine districts across the island, signed CWA representation cards between May 15 and June 3.
Workers who took the lead in organizing included Eddie Hernandez, a repair technician at one of the stores. “He did a great job communicating our message, and he e-mailed workers in other Cingular stores,” Rodriquez said.
Andujar attended several meetings to help form organizing committees and Local 3010 Secretary-Treasurer Edwin Gonzalez led the campaign on the west side of the island, obtaining cards from 85 percent of the retail workers there.
Seniority rights and health benefits were key issues. The workers will be covered by CWA’s existing Cingular contract, with adjustments particular to their location.
Rodriquez said that organizers from UPAGRA (TNG-CWA Local 33225) and Local 3150, which represents AT&T workers, helped with the campaign.
Smith also credited Carrie Biggs-Adams, CWA representative for international affairs, who recently conducted an organizing institute for all three CWA locals.