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CWA Begins Early Lucent Talks
CWA opened early negotiations with Lucent Technologies on Oct. 7, with both sides pledging to work to reach a fair contract by Oct. 31.
If an agreement isn't reached by the end of the month, talks will end, to resume next April. The contract covering about 6,300 workers expires in May 2003.
At the opening session, CWA Vice President Ralph Maly, communications and technologies, stressed that both sides want to demonstrate to Wall Street, investors and employees that Lucent and CWA have parallel goals - the survival of Lucent, maintaining quality jobs for workers and continuing to provide world class service to Lucent customers.
The union will focus on new jobs and job security, training, affordable improvements and issues for retired workers. The early negotiations will help give Lucent some breathing room in what is an extremely difficult economic environment, said Robert G. Richhart, administrative assistant to Maly.
Richhart is chairing the national and installation tables; a combined local unit table is chaired by CWA Representative Mary Jo Sherman. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also is participating in early bargaining.
Lucent has been hit hard by the economic slump because telecom companies have completely cut capital spending for the products and services Lucent supplies.
If an agreement isn't reached by the end of the month, talks will end, to resume next April. The contract covering about 6,300 workers expires in May 2003.
At the opening session, CWA Vice President Ralph Maly, communications and technologies, stressed that both sides want to demonstrate to Wall Street, investors and employees that Lucent and CWA have parallel goals - the survival of Lucent, maintaining quality jobs for workers and continuing to provide world class service to Lucent customers.
The union will focus on new jobs and job security, training, affordable improvements and issues for retired workers. The early negotiations will help give Lucent some breathing room in what is an extremely difficult economic environment, said Robert G. Richhart, administrative assistant to Maly.
Richhart is chairing the national and installation tables; a combined local unit table is chaired by CWA Representative Mary Jo Sherman. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also is participating in early bargaining.
Lucent has been hit hard by the economic slump because telecom companies have completely cut capital spending for the products and services Lucent supplies.