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CWA, Lucent End Early Contract Talks Without Settlement, Negotiations to Resume in October
Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America and Lucent Technologies ended early contract negotiations on July 2, 2004. The parties will resume talks in October for a new contract to replace the agreement that expires on Oct. 31.
CWA Vice President Ralph Maly, communications and technologies, said the union entered into early talks with the hopes of reaching an early settlement covering 3,800 workers at Lucent.
In these talks, however, "Lucent has made demands that would jeopardize jobs and job security, shifting work to subcontractors, as well as substantial health care cost shifting and the elimination of other key benefits for retired workers while eliminating any obligation by Lucent for present and future retiree health costs," he said.
"For CWA, it became increasingly clear that we could not reach early agreement on the issues that are critical to our members," he said.
CWA locals and retiree clubs representing Lucent workers will continue to develop their mobilization plans and will meet Sept. 1 to coordinate a mobilization strategy to support bargaining.
CWA Vice President Ralph Maly, communications and technologies, said the union entered into early talks with the hopes of reaching an early settlement covering 3,800 workers at Lucent.
In these talks, however, "Lucent has made demands that would jeopardize jobs and job security, shifting work to subcontractors, as well as substantial health care cost shifting and the elimination of other key benefits for retired workers while eliminating any obligation by Lucent for present and future retiree health costs," he said.
"For CWA, it became increasingly clear that we could not reach early agreement on the issues that are critical to our members," he said.
CWA locals and retiree clubs representing Lucent workers will continue to develop their mobilization plans and will meet Sept. 1 to coordinate a mobilization strategy to support bargaining.