Mobilization Report

C&T members receive a new energy from the at&t last, best and final offer made in the District 6 SW region.

CWA members across the country were enraged by the corporation's attempt to bargain directly with the members in the SW region and everywhere else when at&t sent an email and video to ALL employees trying to explain how "fair" their D6 offer is, considering the economy.

Over 5 weeks of working without a contract had left some members beginning to feel like our battle was nearing the end.  NOT ANY MORE!  We can now see that we are no closer to a settlement than we were on April 5th, and the need to step up mobilization is more apparent now than ever before.  Stay Strong, Stay Mobilized.

Check out some to the actions happening across the country:

1062 attended the rally in Connecticut this past Saturday. 

4603 joined with the Milwaukee Area Labor Council to "welcome" Karl Rove to Milwaukee.  They also used their time on the picket line to educate members of other unions about our negotiations, and participated in the statewide rally in Madison.

6377 members signed, and the Local mailed, letters to President Obama asking for assistance in bargaining with AT&T.  They also distributed the Rat Facts Flyer which gives a few facts about CEO Stephenson.  They got signatures on the D6 "Tell Stankey it Stinks" petition.  The "AT&T is running away with all the profits" leaflet was distributed.  They have meetings scheduled with Congressman Todd Akin to get support for AT&T bargaining.

6450 members stand everyday at 10 and 2 and shake pill bottles.  They wear purple on Mondays, red on Thursdays and black on Fridays.  Everyone's desks are decorated with signs supporting the Union.  Members started writing letters to send to Stephenson at his home on why they need their healthcare; everyone is wearing the CWA pins.  They utilize the website and send out mobilization info to their e-mail tree 3-4 times a week.  Staff Rep AJ Villegas, Political Director for CWA District 6 for Missouri, already secured letters sent to our CEO from Congressman Cleaver of Missouri and Congressman Moore of Kansas; he's working on Ike Skelton.  Representative Russ Carnahan of Missouri and Congressmen Clay of Missouri also sent letters.  Hugh McVey, President, AFL-CIO of Missouri, also agreed to write a letter.  6450 is focusing on getting members to write to President Obama.  Members distributed another 200 leaflets before AT&T night at the KC Royals game before they were asked to stop.  Over 100 members from 6360 and their families wearing red CWA shirts went inside to the game and all sat together.  It was a powerful sight.  Wednesday they held a joint Rally and informational picket with 6360 and 6327.  Hundreds of signatures were collected for the D6 petition against the Company's last, best, and final offer.

7250 distributed AT&T Medical Plan kits which included Preventative Care (one gummy vitamin) and Emergency Care (1 aspirin to take in case of heart attack and 1 band-aid for accidental dismemberment) to all members.  In a show of support and solidarity; members signed the petition against the last, best and final offer presented to the D6 bargaining team.  In the call centers, members drew attention to the crappy healthcare proposal: everyone wore surgical masks, many were also in scrubs and isolation gowns.  Solidarity day (Thursday) was a rally with 7200 against corporate greed and for health care for all.  They will continue to have a weekly rally until we have the fair contract our members need and deserve.  The outside plant and on-site work forces continue to focus on quality and safety with every interaction.  Inside members stand hourly and click for a fair contract.

7750 is back in action.  They had a good showing for their informational picket with the retirees on May 14th.  Members participated in "protected" break walks in the halls daily, showing strength in SILENCE by having a large number of members walking and holding signs saying, "No contract no Peace".  They also have S.O.S. "Save Our Soles" for walking the picket line.  They asked everyone to bring old shoes to have at their desks until the Local collects them for Denver's Rescue Mission.  They are still doing the ergonomic hourly stretch break to protect their health.

9415 and 9421 members remain focused on the fight for a fair contract for all Members.  They have received letters of support from several legislators and elected officials in California regarding bargaining at AT&T.

13500 held a rally today.  Details will be released next week.

13550 remains focused on healthcare.  They are also working within the District to meet with legislators next week.  NLRB charges are being filed against AT&T for unilateral change in working conditions.  Members continue to wear red on Thursdays and black on Fridays, and are continuing to stand and click.  They are working on getting OSHA information from the Company to make sure that our members are working in safe conditions.

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We had a conference call with Vice President Maly and the bargaining team Wednesday, and heard first hand how AT&T continues to stall bargaining.  The Company's healthcare proposal remains the same as it was when our contract expired April 4th, and they still refuse to discuss retiree healthcare.

It is our time to take action in and outside of AT&T.  Locals need to continue to schedule meetings with their legislators to gain support for our struggles for affordable active and retiree healthcare, and the fair contract that we all need and deserve.  We have continued to work without a contract for almost 7 weeks; servicing our customers and keeping the company profitable during these tough economic times, hoping that the Company will do the right thing for the Union members Nationwide. 

Our organizing drives at Apple, AT&T Authorized Agents, Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Wal-Mart continue.  We want ALL of the workers that sell our products and services to have the same rights and working conditions that CWA negotiates for us on the job.

Instances of interference in concerted actions by AT&T continue to be reported, and charges filed at the NLRB.

If you experience changes in working conditions (i.e. change in office policies; Company refusing to pay for sick time per the contract) or any other Unfair Labor Practice, make sure to get specifics to bbates@cwa-union.org.  He is working with CWA Legal to keep track of the ULPs committed during bargaining.

Remember to have people sign the e-petition to AT&T by accessing www.standupforworkers.com so we can send a strong message to AT&T that corporate greed is not tolerated in the United States, and they need to join the fight for healthcare reform.

CWA prides itself on performing Quality work Safely.  If you are experiencing unsafe working conditions for your members, please report all violations to OSHA.

While Phase 2 of mobilization has gone into high gear, we are not able to report on all of the actions happening across the country.  There are activities planned in every work site and/or every community.  If you would like to participate, contact your Local Union office.

Don't forget about the Unity e-meeting Wednesday May 27 at 9:00 p.m. EDT

Pre-register at: www.cwaunion.tv.

If you would like your actions to be included in the next report, have questions about reported actions, or if you were accidentally omitted, please submit your report (including pictures if possible) to cwainfo@gmail.com.