Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
Sprint New Jersey Members Strike; CWA Takes Issues to Shareholders
Irate over Sprint CEO Gary Forsee's $32 million in salary, bonuses and stock options while workers are facing cuts in sickness and disability benefits, 94 members of Local 1101 went on strike against the company April 26.
To assist them, CWA District 1 has set up an Adopt-a-Striker Fund. Jimmy Gurganus, CWA vice president for Telecommunications, asked Sprint locals nationwide to support the fund and also donate $5 per pay period in direct aid to the strikers.
Gurganus led a contingent of about 70 union members to Sprint's shareholder meeting May 13 in Overland Park, Kan., where they demanded corporate responsibility and drew shareholders' attention to the plight of the striking workers.
"Just last month, Kansas City newspapers announced that Sprint's new top executive will get as much as $4.4 million in salary and bonuses this year," Gurganus told shareholders. "This does not include the rich severance plans and so-called 'make-whole' plans awarded to the new CEO.
"Hourly workers, meanwhile, have been expected to accept cuts in their retirement benefits, cuts in their sick pay, and more out-of-pocket payments for their employee and retiree medical insurance," he said.
Hitting the Street
The strike began after Local 1101 members rejected Sprint's proposal to reduce sickness and disability benefits. The old contract, which expired March 31, gave workers with 25 years of service up to 52 weeks' full pay while sick or disabled. Sprint wants to cut that to 26 weeks' full pay and 26 weeks' half-pay.
"The vote to reject was by a substantial margin," said local Business Manager Pat LaScala, who has headed bargaining for the Sprint-New Jersey unit. "Our members know this is a tremendous giveback and they're ready to stand strong. They know if they were to give this up, three years from now they would have nothing."
CWA's Sprint Virginia unit of about 80 workers, now in bargaining, faces the same proposed cuts, Gurganus said. Their contract expires May 31 and is the last in the current round of Sprint bargaining.
Adopt-a-Striker
CWA District 1 Vice President Larry Mancino also asked locals to help the strikers, urging them to commit at least $500 a month to adopt a striking Local 1101 worker and his or her family.
"Your local's support will supplement CWA's strike benefits and enable the strikers to hold out for as long as necessary," Mancino said in a letter to local presidents.
Members who want to help should send checks made out to "CWA Special Projects" and include the notation "Assistance for NJ Strikers." Mail to: Pat LaScala, Business Manager, CWA Local 1101, 1703 Castle Hill Ave., Bronx, NY 10462.
"The New Jersey members are fighting your fight," Gurganus said. "If we cannot beat back the changes in sickness disability benefits in New Jersey, then you can be assured that they will appear at every bargaining table in the future."
To assist them, CWA District 1 has set up an Adopt-a-Striker Fund. Jimmy Gurganus, CWA vice president for Telecommunications, asked Sprint locals nationwide to support the fund and also donate $5 per pay period in direct aid to the strikers.
Gurganus led a contingent of about 70 union members to Sprint's shareholder meeting May 13 in Overland Park, Kan., where they demanded corporate responsibility and drew shareholders' attention to the plight of the striking workers.
"Just last month, Kansas City newspapers announced that Sprint's new top executive will get as much as $4.4 million in salary and bonuses this year," Gurganus told shareholders. "This does not include the rich severance plans and so-called 'make-whole' plans awarded to the new CEO.
"Hourly workers, meanwhile, have been expected to accept cuts in their retirement benefits, cuts in their sick pay, and more out-of-pocket payments for their employee and retiree medical insurance," he said.
Hitting the Street
The strike began after Local 1101 members rejected Sprint's proposal to reduce sickness and disability benefits. The old contract, which expired March 31, gave workers with 25 years of service up to 52 weeks' full pay while sick or disabled. Sprint wants to cut that to 26 weeks' full pay and 26 weeks' half-pay.
"The vote to reject was by a substantial margin," said local Business Manager Pat LaScala, who has headed bargaining for the Sprint-New Jersey unit. "Our members know this is a tremendous giveback and they're ready to stand strong. They know if they were to give this up, three years from now they would have nothing."
CWA's Sprint Virginia unit of about 80 workers, now in bargaining, faces the same proposed cuts, Gurganus said. Their contract expires May 31 and is the last in the current round of Sprint bargaining.
Adopt-a-Striker
CWA District 1 Vice President Larry Mancino also asked locals to help the strikers, urging them to commit at least $500 a month to adopt a striking Local 1101 worker and his or her family.
"Your local's support will supplement CWA's strike benefits and enable the strikers to hold out for as long as necessary," Mancino said in a letter to local presidents.
Members who want to help should send checks made out to "CWA Special Projects" and include the notation "Assistance for NJ Strikers." Mail to: Pat LaScala, Business Manager, CWA Local 1101, 1703 Castle Hill Ave., Bronx, NY 10462.
"The New Jersey members are fighting your fight," Gurganus said. "If we cannot beat back the changes in sickness disability benefits in New Jersey, then you can be assured that they will appear at every bargaining table in the future."