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CWA Members Ratify Lucent Contract
Communications Workers of America members at Lucent Technologies ratified a 20 month agreement, the result of early negotiations with the telecommunications network developer.
The contract, which covers about 6,000 workers, was approved by 83.7 percent of voting members, said Ralph Maly, CWA vice president for communications and technologies.
The agreement provides a 4.04 percent wage increase compounded over the contract term and some improvements in retirement security. A major issue -- health care coverage for both active and retired workers -- was addressed through increases in co-pays and deductibles and the establishment of a pharmacy network. The costs savings associated with health care issues will be deposited into the benefit trust fund covering Lucent retirees, which now number 86,000.
Maly said the early agreement was needed to help the troubled telecom company and to hold the line against cost shifting of health care premiums to workers.
The contract, which covers about 6,000 workers, was approved by 83.7 percent of voting members, said Ralph Maly, CWA vice president for communications and technologies.
The agreement provides a 4.04 percent wage increase compounded over the contract term and some improvements in retirement security. A major issue -- health care coverage for both active and retired workers -- was addressed through increases in co-pays and deductibles and the establishment of a pharmacy network. The costs savings associated with health care issues will be deposited into the benefit trust fund covering Lucent retirees, which now number 86,000.
Maly said the early agreement was needed to help the troubled telecom company and to hold the line against cost shifting of health care premiums to workers.