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CWA Gains New Contract at Dex Media
CWA reached a tentative agreement covering 1,500 workers at Dex Media Inc., that provides for wage increases, improves job security and maintains fully paid health care premiums, District 7 Vice President John Thompson reported. The bargainers worked several hours beyond the contract expiration to reach the three-year settlement on Oct 16.
Non-commission workers will see annual wage increases of 3 percent, plus annual Team awards ranging from a minimum of 1 percent to as much as 3 percent of earnings. The compensation plan covering sale workers was redesigned and improved, with all workers to benefit from increases in the incremental salary structure.
CWA negotiators also achieved another key goal - maintaining fully paid health care premiums - with health care benefits to be provided through a point-of-service plan with some increases in co-payments for office visits and other services. They also retained the lump sum pension option.
Job security gains include new provisions to restrict all contracting out if any workers are scheduled to lose their jobs through a surplus announcement. There were significant improvements in severance payouts as well. Those who voluntarily leave the company will receive $1,000 per year of service, capped at $15,000, which is $3,000 higher than the previous agreement. Workers who involuntarily leave the payroll receive $2,000 per year of service, with the cap set at the worker's base annual salary.
Other gains include additional flexibility in scheduling personal leave days, the addition of a third day off for serious illness and funeral leave, and a $20,000 death benefit that covers all employees.
The bargaining committee has recommended ratification of the agreement, with ballots to be sent out shortly to members, said Lew Ellingson, CWA representative and chair of the bargaining committee.
CWA represents sales, operations, customer service, graphic artists and other workers at Dex Media. The company was formed by the sale of Qwest Communications' directory services to two investment firms. It publishes 272 white and yellow pages directories in the 14 states of Qwest territory.
Non-commission workers will see annual wage increases of 3 percent, plus annual Team awards ranging from a minimum of 1 percent to as much as 3 percent of earnings. The compensation plan covering sale workers was redesigned and improved, with all workers to benefit from increases in the incremental salary structure.
CWA negotiators also achieved another key goal - maintaining fully paid health care premiums - with health care benefits to be provided through a point-of-service plan with some increases in co-payments for office visits and other services. They also retained the lump sum pension option.
Job security gains include new provisions to restrict all contracting out if any workers are scheduled to lose their jobs through a surplus announcement. There were significant improvements in severance payouts as well. Those who voluntarily leave the company will receive $1,000 per year of service, capped at $15,000, which is $3,000 higher than the previous agreement. Workers who involuntarily leave the payroll receive $2,000 per year of service, with the cap set at the worker's base annual salary.
Other gains include additional flexibility in scheduling personal leave days, the addition of a third day off for serious illness and funeral leave, and a $20,000 death benefit that covers all employees.
The bargaining committee has recommended ratification of the agreement, with ballots to be sent out shortly to members, said Lew Ellingson, CWA representative and chair of the bargaining committee.
CWA represents sales, operations, customer service, graphic artists and other workers at Dex Media. The company was formed by the sale of Qwest Communications' directory services to two investment firms. It publishes 272 white and yellow pages directories in the 14 states of Qwest territory.