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CWA, Bell Atlantic Open Talks on Contract Extension
CWA and Bell Atlantic opened negotiations in early January — still underway at CWA News press time — aimed at achieving a two-year contract extension.
Separate talks were taking place in New York and Boston with “Bell Atlantic North” (formerly NYNEX) management, and in Washington, D.C. for the units covered by the pre-merger Bell Atlantic agreement.
CWA President Morton Bahr stressed that no final agreement will be reached unless both sets of negotiations are fruitful.
The impetus for the early talks was Bell Atlantic’s desire for adjustments to a “six-and-six” early retirement/pension enhancement plan negotiated with NYNEX in 1994. Under that pact, some 15,000 workers would have to be offered early retirement enhancements by the expiration date of the current contract, August 8, 1998. The company fears a mass exodus of skilled workers that would hinder its ability to provide quality service.
“There will be no contract settlement that does not guarantee every eligible member’s access to a contractual early retirement offer,” said District 1 Vice President Larry Mancino, adding: “However, if we can work with the company on the timing of those offers so that our members’ needs are protected, and also get some of our other issues resolved in the process, we believe these early discussions could be beneficial.”
At press time, President Bahr and Vice Presidents Mancino, Vince Maisano of District 13, and Pete Catucci of District 2 were assessing progress at the various local issues tables and preparing for possible negotiations on wages, pensions and other company-wide issues.
Separate talks were taking place in New York and Boston with “Bell Atlantic North” (formerly NYNEX) management, and in Washington, D.C. for the units covered by the pre-merger Bell Atlantic agreement.
CWA President Morton Bahr stressed that no final agreement will be reached unless both sets of negotiations are fruitful.
The impetus for the early talks was Bell Atlantic’s desire for adjustments to a “six-and-six” early retirement/pension enhancement plan negotiated with NYNEX in 1994. Under that pact, some 15,000 workers would have to be offered early retirement enhancements by the expiration date of the current contract, August 8, 1998. The company fears a mass exodus of skilled workers that would hinder its ability to provide quality service.
“There will be no contract settlement that does not guarantee every eligible member’s access to a contractual early retirement offer,” said District 1 Vice President Larry Mancino, adding: “However, if we can work with the company on the timing of those offers so that our members’ needs are protected, and also get some of our other issues resolved in the process, we believe these early discussions could be beneficial.”
At press time, President Bahr and Vice Presidents Mancino, Vince Maisano of District 13, and Pete Catucci of District 2 were assessing progress at the various local issues tables and preparing for possible negotiations on wages, pensions and other company-wide issues.