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Settlements Cover 10,000 GTE Members
CWA reached tentative agreements last month covering more than 10,000 GTE workers at companies in California, New Mexico, Missouri and Alabama.
Reflecting efforts by CWA and GTE to improve relations through the joint Partnership program, the settlements all came on time or even, in the case of the California pact, as much as two weeks early, reported Telecommunications Vice President T.O. Moses.
At GTE California, a new 3-year agreement covering about 9,000 workers will bring wage gains of 10.8 percent over the contract term plus targeted team award payments of 3.5 percent this year and 4 percent in each of the following years, reported District 9 Vice President Tony Bixler.
There were no concessions in the tentative pact, which also calls for upgrades for several job titles, improve-ments in medical, dental and vision plans, improved vacation eligibility (three weeks after five years), improved seniority rights and transfer language, and other gains.
In Missouri, formerly a Contel unit of about 900 workers, District 6 Vice President Ben Turn reported tentative agreement on a package also calling for general wage hikes of 10.8 percent over three years, with team performance awards of 2.5 percent, 3.5 percent and 4 percent. Incentives for operators and phone mart employees were raised, and the pact provides improvements in health care, three weeks vacation after five years, and other gains.
A new agreement for some 300 at GTE Alabama provides for wage hikes of 10.8 percent over three years along with team incentive awards of up to 3.5 percent. 4.2 percent and 4.8 percent, reported District 3 Vice President James E. Smith. Other gains include improvements in the medical plan, expanded health care and dental coverage for part-timers, improved vacation scheduling and creation of additional job titles.
GTE workers in New Mexico also will see wage increases of 10.8 percent over three years, together with team performance payouts of 2.5 percent, 3.5 percent and 4 percent, reported District 7 Vice President Sue Pisha. Among other gains at this former Contel company are benefit and eligibility improvements in health and dental care and life insurance, improved vacation schedule, and reduction in mandatory overtime.
"All of the bargaining committees deserve great credit for bringing in these settlements in a timely fashion," said Moses. Early talks now are expected to begin for GTE units in Iowa/Nebraska and Arkansas.
Reflecting efforts by CWA and GTE to improve relations through the joint Partnership program, the settlements all came on time or even, in the case of the California pact, as much as two weeks early, reported Telecommunications Vice President T.O. Moses.
At GTE California, a new 3-year agreement covering about 9,000 workers will bring wage gains of 10.8 percent over the contract term plus targeted team award payments of 3.5 percent this year and 4 percent in each of the following years, reported District 9 Vice President Tony Bixler.
There were no concessions in the tentative pact, which also calls for upgrades for several job titles, improve-ments in medical, dental and vision plans, improved vacation eligibility (three weeks after five years), improved seniority rights and transfer language, and other gains.
In Missouri, formerly a Contel unit of about 900 workers, District 6 Vice President Ben Turn reported tentative agreement on a package also calling for general wage hikes of 10.8 percent over three years, with team performance awards of 2.5 percent, 3.5 percent and 4 percent. Incentives for operators and phone mart employees were raised, and the pact provides improvements in health care, three weeks vacation after five years, and other gains.
A new agreement for some 300 at GTE Alabama provides for wage hikes of 10.8 percent over three years along with team incentive awards of up to 3.5 percent. 4.2 percent and 4.8 percent, reported District 3 Vice President James E. Smith. Other gains include improvements in the medical plan, expanded health care and dental coverage for part-timers, improved vacation scheduling and creation of additional job titles.
GTE workers in New Mexico also will see wage increases of 10.8 percent over three years, together with team performance payouts of 2.5 percent, 3.5 percent and 4 percent, reported District 7 Vice President Sue Pisha. Among other gains at this former Contel company are benefit and eligibility improvements in health and dental care and life insurance, improved vacation schedule, and reduction in mandatory overtime.
"All of the bargaining committees deserve great credit for bringing in these settlements in a timely fashion," said Moses. Early talks now are expected to begin for GTE units in Iowa/Nebraska and Arkansas.