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Citizens-Arizona Pact Brings Higher Wages
Local 7019 members ratified a new four-year agreement reached Nov. 11 with Citizens Telephone Co. in Showlow, Ariz. The settlement provides wage increases of nearly 8.5 percent over term, 15 title upgrades and creates a "Common Interest Forum" to foster pilot programs to benefit the company, its customers and the union.
Health care premiums, formerly shared by the company and workers at a ratio of 85 percent to 15 percent, will increase for workers to 16 percent in 2005, 17 percent in 2006, 18 in 2007 and 19 percent in 2008. However, no later than the first quarter of 2005, medical benefit levels will revert to the 2003 plan level, reducing out-of-pocket and co-pay expenses. Retirees will also experience some health care cost shifting.
"Once again our bargainers were stymied by rising health care costs," said Telecommunications Vice President Jimmy Gurganus. "No one committee or one company can deal with this issue alone."
New contract language calls for better union-company relations to help meet competition challenges, a Common Interest Forum to foster pilot programs to review community involvement interests, and new programs to improve the company's competitive position, customer satisfaction and on-going contract concerns.
"Both the company and the union recognize that these are very difficult times in the telephone industry," Gurganus said. "It's imperative that all parties work together for our mutual interests."
Following a recent meeting not directly related to this contract, Gurganus said, "We have agreed with Citizens and the IBEW to sit down and see if we can address the issue of health care in a more comprehensive manner."
The company and the union at the national level are also exploring opportunities to provide better training and retraining to advance employees' technical knowledge and advancement opportunities.
The new pact, affecting about 40 workers, went into effect Nov. 15, with a 2.85 percent across-the-board wage increase. Workers will receive a 2.75 percent increase on Nov. 15, 2005 and 2006, and a 74-cent per hour increase on Nov. 15, 2007.
CWA Representative Joe Gosiger chaired the table, with local team members Robert Gahagan, Matt Abrams, Maxwell Cunningham and Michael Allsop.
The pact is the last to be negotiated with Citizens this year. CWA represents 1,461 workers at Citizens nationwide. Contracts expire in Nebraska on May 15 and in Bluefield, W.Va., on Dec. 15, 2005.
Health care premiums, formerly shared by the company and workers at a ratio of 85 percent to 15 percent, will increase for workers to 16 percent in 2005, 17 percent in 2006, 18 in 2007 and 19 percent in 2008. However, no later than the first quarter of 2005, medical benefit levels will revert to the 2003 plan level, reducing out-of-pocket and co-pay expenses. Retirees will also experience some health care cost shifting.
"Once again our bargainers were stymied by rising health care costs," said Telecommunications Vice President Jimmy Gurganus. "No one committee or one company can deal with this issue alone."
New contract language calls for better union-company relations to help meet competition challenges, a Common Interest Forum to foster pilot programs to review community involvement interests, and new programs to improve the company's competitive position, customer satisfaction and on-going contract concerns.
"Both the company and the union recognize that these are very difficult times in the telephone industry," Gurganus said. "It's imperative that all parties work together for our mutual interests."
Following a recent meeting not directly related to this contract, Gurganus said, "We have agreed with Citizens and the IBEW to sit down and see if we can address the issue of health care in a more comprehensive manner."
The company and the union at the national level are also exploring opportunities to provide better training and retraining to advance employees' technical knowledge and advancement opportunities.
The new pact, affecting about 40 workers, went into effect Nov. 15, with a 2.85 percent across-the-board wage increase. Workers will receive a 2.75 percent increase on Nov. 15, 2005 and 2006, and a 74-cent per hour increase on Nov. 15, 2007.
CWA Representative Joe Gosiger chaired the table, with local team members Robert Gahagan, Matt Abrams, Maxwell Cunningham and Michael Allsop.
The pact is the last to be negotiated with Citizens this year. CWA represents 1,461 workers at Citizens nationwide. Contracts expire in Nebraska on May 15 and in Bluefield, W.Va., on Dec. 15, 2005.