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N.C. Sprint Workers Press for Fair Contract
CWA members in North Carolina are fighting back against the anti-union tactics the company has brought to the bargaining table.
In New Bern and Fayetteville, N.C., where contracts expired March 1, members are stepping up mobilization activities while negotiations continue. CWA represents about 450 workers at the two call centers, said Jimmy Gurganus, CWA District 3 representative.
The North Carolina units are the first of the Sprint contracts to expire this year. Eleven contracts covering 10,000 workers who supply local Sprint service will end this year or in 2003, said T.O. Moses, CWA vice president for Telecommunications.
In New Bern and Fayetteville, a key issue is the company’s policy for disability and sickness pay, which requires a waiting period for union represented members before benefits begin.
Non-represented employees are treated more favorably and get benefits immediately if they become ill or disabled. Wages, especially for workers who coach other employees in improving their sales, is another issue yet to be resolved, Gurganus said.
“We have contacted the governor’s office and members of the state assembly to point out that Sprint’s treatment of employees is inequitable and unfair,” he said.
Sprint also has insisted on separate contracts and bargaining tables, even within states such as North Carolina that have many company locations. Sprint’s goal is “to try and wear the union down,” Gurganus said, adding: “it doesn’t work but that’s what the company is trying to do.”
Negotiations also are getting underway for a new contract covering about 120 workers in Hickory, N.C., while the contract covering the largest unit in the state, about 1,700 workers, expires Nov. 29.
Separately, about 50 collections employees in Tarboro, N.C., will vote on CWA representation in an April 2 election. CWA is optimistic that “Sprint’s attitude toward employees is encouraging them to organize,” Gurganus said.
In New Bern and Fayetteville, N.C., where contracts expired March 1, members are stepping up mobilization activities while negotiations continue. CWA represents about 450 workers at the two call centers, said Jimmy Gurganus, CWA District 3 representative.
The North Carolina units are the first of the Sprint contracts to expire this year. Eleven contracts covering 10,000 workers who supply local Sprint service will end this year or in 2003, said T.O. Moses, CWA vice president for Telecommunications.
In New Bern and Fayetteville, a key issue is the company’s policy for disability and sickness pay, which requires a waiting period for union represented members before benefits begin.
Non-represented employees are treated more favorably and get benefits immediately if they become ill or disabled. Wages, especially for workers who coach other employees in improving their sales, is another issue yet to be resolved, Gurganus said.
“We have contacted the governor’s office and members of the state assembly to point out that Sprint’s treatment of employees is inequitable and unfair,” he said.
Sprint also has insisted on separate contracts and bargaining tables, even within states such as North Carolina that have many company locations. Sprint’s goal is “to try and wear the union down,” Gurganus said, adding: “it doesn’t work but that’s what the company is trying to do.”
Negotiations also are getting underway for a new contract covering about 120 workers in Hickory, N.C., while the contract covering the largest unit in the state, about 1,700 workers, expires Nov. 29.
Separately, about 50 collections employees in Tarboro, N.C., will vote on CWA representation in an April 2 election. CWA is optimistic that “Sprint’s attitude toward employees is encouraging them to organize,” Gurganus said.