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Mediator Steps into ALLTEL Talks As Kentucky Strike Continues
CWA and ALLTEL negotiators were meeting with a federal mediator as the CWA News went to press to try to resolve a strike involving Locals 3371 and 3372 that began June 8 in Kentucky.
Mike Garkovich, president of Local 3372 in Lexington, said the mediation would not produce a solution binding to the parties, but he hoped they would make progress. "I imagine what happens after this depends on how it goes," Garkovich said. "I'd love to reach an agreement."
But Phil Coldiron, president of Local 3371 in Ashland, was less optimistic. He said ALLTEL, while earlier putting forth 50 proposals of its own, rejected CWA's 26 proposals out of hand. "That's the kind of company we're dealing with," he said.
Members of both locals, who are fighting for job security and continued health care coverage for workers and retirees, have kept up a steady presence on the picket line. Garkovich said about 300 workers turned out for a four-hour rally outside the company's corporate headquarters in Lexington on Aug. 2, the one-year anniversary of ALLTEL acquiring the company from Verizon.
"We sent management a cake with 'Happy Anniversary' on it, with 'Happy' crossed out," he said. "It was decorated with little CWA picket signs."
Coldiron said his local has distributed hundreds of yard signs in the community. "We don't even have to deliver them. People come to the picket line and ask for them," he said.
CWA Vice Presidents Jimmy Smith, District 3, and Jimmy Gurganus, Telecom-munications, joined members in separate visits to picket lines and meetings with strikers to applaud their solidarity and assure them of the district's and national's support.
Union members have been standing strong on the picket lines, despite being threatened by scab contractors. There have been six incidents of union members hit by cars or trucks driven by contractors, with one arrest for a hit-and-run charge.
State and local elected officials have stopped by picket lines and community events to express support for the strikers, and CWA members were invited to "eat free" at a July 4 picnic sponsored by the Democratic Party.
Many local businesses also have publicly endorsed the CWA members' fight, and striking CWA members were cheered by citizens watching the Independence Day parade in Lexington.
Mike Garkovich, president of Local 3372 in Lexington, said the mediation would not produce a solution binding to the parties, but he hoped they would make progress. "I imagine what happens after this depends on how it goes," Garkovich said. "I'd love to reach an agreement."
But Phil Coldiron, president of Local 3371 in Ashland, was less optimistic. He said ALLTEL, while earlier putting forth 50 proposals of its own, rejected CWA's 26 proposals out of hand. "That's the kind of company we're dealing with," he said.
Members of both locals, who are fighting for job security and continued health care coverage for workers and retirees, have kept up a steady presence on the picket line. Garkovich said about 300 workers turned out for a four-hour rally outside the company's corporate headquarters in Lexington on Aug. 2, the one-year anniversary of ALLTEL acquiring the company from Verizon.
"We sent management a cake with 'Happy Anniversary' on it, with 'Happy' crossed out," he said. "It was decorated with little CWA picket signs."
Coldiron said his local has distributed hundreds of yard signs in the community. "We don't even have to deliver them. People come to the picket line and ask for them," he said.
CWA Vice Presidents Jimmy Smith, District 3, and Jimmy Gurganus, Telecom-munications, joined members in separate visits to picket lines and meetings with strikers to applaud their solidarity and assure them of the district's and national's support.
Union members have been standing strong on the picket lines, despite being threatened by scab contractors. There have been six incidents of union members hit by cars or trucks driven by contractors, with one arrest for a hit-and-run charge.
State and local elected officials have stopped by picket lines and community events to express support for the strikers, and CWA members were invited to "eat free" at a July 4 picnic sponsored by the Democratic Party.
Many local businesses also have publicly endorsed the CWA members' fight, and striking CWA members were cheered by citizens watching the Independence Day parade in Lexington.