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National Table Opens for SBC Talks
CWA and SBC have agreed to conduct contract national negotiations in Washington, D.C., at the urging of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, CWA President Morton Bahr announced.
Bahr discussed the FMCS offer with the four district vice presidents, and with their concurrence, planned to meet March 15 at the FMCS with SBC's head of human resources to work out details of the bargaining process and the issues to be addressed at the national table.
National bargaining under the auspices of the FMCS is scheduled to begin March 17. The national bargaining team will include bargaining chairs Dennis Trainor, District 1; Kristie Darling, District 4; Bill Davis, District 6; Jim Weitkamp, District 9; and Dina Beaumont, executive assistant to President Bahr.
FMCS Director Peter J. Hurtgen noted that the parties are discussing "several significant issues, such as health care," and cited his concern over the impact of talks affecting more than 100,000 workers upon the entire industry and the economy.
Bahr noted that "Director Hurtgen was most helpful in mediating our talks with Verizon last year, and we hope that a similar process can help get us to a fair and timely settlement with SBC."
As bargaining continued in Districts 1, 4, 6, and 9, mobilization activities were in full swing. Many SBC members followed up March 4 health care activities with more rallies, informational picketing and other events.
Bahr discussed the FMCS offer with the four district vice presidents, and with their concurrence, planned to meet March 15 at the FMCS with SBC's head of human resources to work out details of the bargaining process and the issues to be addressed at the national table.
National bargaining under the auspices of the FMCS is scheduled to begin March 17. The national bargaining team will include bargaining chairs Dennis Trainor, District 1; Kristie Darling, District 4; Bill Davis, District 6; Jim Weitkamp, District 9; and Dina Beaumont, executive assistant to President Bahr.
FMCS Director Peter J. Hurtgen noted that the parties are discussing "several significant issues, such as health care," and cited his concern over the impact of talks affecting more than 100,000 workers upon the entire industry and the economy.
Bahr noted that "Director Hurtgen was most helpful in mediating our talks with Verizon last year, and we hope that a similar process can help get us to a fair and timely settlement with SBC."
As bargaining continued in Districts 1, 4, 6, and 9, mobilization activities were in full swing. Many SBC members followed up March 4 health care activities with more rallies, informational picketing and other events.