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CWA Gives 30-Day Notice to SBC of Possible Strike, Union Members Begin Strike Authorization Process
Washington, D.C. -- CWA President Morton Bahr announced that CWA has given SBC Communications its 30-day notice that union members may go on strike at the company.
Bahr made the announcement during a conference call today with SBC local union officers. Locals will begin the strike authorization vote among their members, with the results to be announced on April 29. If members vote to strike, the next step would be for CWA's executive board to authorize President Bahr to set the strike date.
Bahr also outlined CWA's two-prong strategy to reach a fair contract. Having given notice to SBC, CWA will be in a position to strike at the end of the 30-day period. In the meantime, the union will prepare for other tactics that potentially could affect the company's revenue but which don't rely on a strike. This would include gathering pledges from unions and union families in SBC territory to switch local and long distance service if CWA determined that it was necessary. CWA has used this strategy successfully in the past, Bahr said.
Bahr stated that "CWA's goal is always to reach a peaceful settlement and to negotiate a fair agreement by the contract expiration. However, SBC must approach this process in the same spirit, with the same determination to reach an agreement that recognizes the contributions of workers and safeguards their jobs and health security."
CWA represents 100,000 workers at SBC West (formerly Pacific Bell), SBC Midwest (Ameritech), SBC Southwest (Southwestern Bell) and SBC East (Southern New England Telephone.)
Bahr stressed that SBC is not addressing workers' concerns about employment security, noting that CWA members are seeking limits on excessive subcontracting as well as gaining access for workers to jobs in growth areas of the company. SBC is outsourcing thousands of jobs in such areas as call centers, DSL tech support and others. Much of this work is being sent by contractors offshore to India and other countries.
The company's demands for massive shifting of health care costs to active and retired workers is another major problem area, he said.
National negotiations are continuing in Washington, D.C., under the auspices of Peter Hurtgen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Negotiations covering regional issues are taking place in Pleasanton, Calif., Chicago, Austin, Tex., and New Haven, Conn.
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Bahr made the announcement during a conference call today with SBC local union officers. Locals will begin the strike authorization vote among their members, with the results to be announced on April 29. If members vote to strike, the next step would be for CWA's executive board to authorize President Bahr to set the strike date.
Bahr also outlined CWA's two-prong strategy to reach a fair contract. Having given notice to SBC, CWA will be in a position to strike at the end of the 30-day period. In the meantime, the union will prepare for other tactics that potentially could affect the company's revenue but which don't rely on a strike. This would include gathering pledges from unions and union families in SBC territory to switch local and long distance service if CWA determined that it was necessary. CWA has used this strategy successfully in the past, Bahr said.
Bahr stated that "CWA's goal is always to reach a peaceful settlement and to negotiate a fair agreement by the contract expiration. However, SBC must approach this process in the same spirit, with the same determination to reach an agreement that recognizes the contributions of workers and safeguards their jobs and health security."
CWA represents 100,000 workers at SBC West (formerly Pacific Bell), SBC Midwest (Ameritech), SBC Southwest (Southwestern Bell) and SBC East (Southern New England Telephone.)
Bahr stressed that SBC is not addressing workers' concerns about employment security, noting that CWA members are seeking limits on excessive subcontracting as well as gaining access for workers to jobs in growth areas of the company. SBC is outsourcing thousands of jobs in such areas as call centers, DSL tech support and others. Much of this work is being sent by contractors offshore to India and other countries.
The company's demands for massive shifting of health care costs to active and retired workers is another major problem area, he said.
National negotiations are continuing in Washington, D.C., under the auspices of Peter Hurtgen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Negotiations covering regional issues are taking place in Pleasanton, Calif., Chicago, Austin, Tex., and New Haven, Conn.
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