CWA, AT&T Mobility to Open Health Care Talks

Bargaining gets underway June 3 for the national health care plan covering more than 40,000 workers at AT&T Mobility. The settlement negotiated in 2004 expires June 30.

"CWA is determined to reach a fair agreement on health care that reflects the company's profitability in what is the fastest-growing segment of the business," said CWA Executive Vice President Jeff Rechenbach.

If a tentative agreement is not reached by June 30, both parties have agreed to take the dispute to mediation, then arbitration, if necessary, to resolve differences. If a tentative agreement is reached, it will be presented to the membership for ratification and take effect next year.

Members of the CWA bargaining team are Betty Witte, chair, District 3; Paul Klaebel, District 3; Holly Sorey, District 4; Jim Murray, District 6 and Joe Sison, District 9, and John Alphonse, CWA staff representative, District 1.