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Sprint Workers Quash Decertification
CWA beat back company-inspired decertification attempts at Sprint marketing units in Fayetteville and New Bern, on Nov. 13, narrowly losing a third to a tie in Clinton, N.C. But two-for-three is as good as two-for-two in this right-to-work state — Sprint has announced it will phase out the Clinton location.
Vote tallies of 70-60 and 60-27 were a referendum of confidence by Sprint service reps, organized just last year, that with CWA they will successfully bargain a first contract with one tough, union-busting employer. The tie of 15-15, in Clinton, was just one vote short of that unit’s original vote to join CWA.
“We appreciate the courage of these workers in standing together and refusing to be intimidated,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Jimmy Smith. “Sprint management is determined to avoid a first contract with these units, but our unity and determination will prevail.”
CWA Local 3680 represents Fayetteville workers and Local 3681, those in New Bern. Smith credited Local Presidents Rocky Barnes and Ronald Knight for working together to organize the three units in May 1997 and for cooperating to thwart the attempted decerts.
Barnes said the company held a series of captive audience meetings and allowed employees to distribute anti-CWA literature. He said management used a pay-for-performance incentive plan — one of the key issues in bargaining — to attempt to mislead workers into thinking, “the union’s presence is keeping you from making more money.”
Smith, his Administrative Assistants Robbie McNeely and Norma Powell, Telecommunications Vice President T.O. Moses and CWA Representative Jimmy Gurganus attended a rally and picnic for the Sprint workers, sponsored by the two locals.
“What made the difference for us,” said Barnes, is that we were completely honest and truthful, while the company was playing a game of rhetoric. The workers could tell the difference.”
Vote tallies of 70-60 and 60-27 were a referendum of confidence by Sprint service reps, organized just last year, that with CWA they will successfully bargain a first contract with one tough, union-busting employer. The tie of 15-15, in Clinton, was just one vote short of that unit’s original vote to join CWA.
“We appreciate the courage of these workers in standing together and refusing to be intimidated,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Jimmy Smith. “Sprint management is determined to avoid a first contract with these units, but our unity and determination will prevail.”
CWA Local 3680 represents Fayetteville workers and Local 3681, those in New Bern. Smith credited Local Presidents Rocky Barnes and Ronald Knight for working together to organize the three units in May 1997 and for cooperating to thwart the attempted decerts.
Barnes said the company held a series of captive audience meetings and allowed employees to distribute anti-CWA literature. He said management used a pay-for-performance incentive plan — one of the key issues in bargaining — to attempt to mislead workers into thinking, “the union’s presence is keeping you from making more money.”
Smith, his Administrative Assistants Robbie McNeely and Norma Powell, Telecommunications Vice President T.O. Moses and CWA Representative Jimmy Gurganus attended a rally and picnic for the Sprint workers, sponsored by the two locals.
“What made the difference for us,” said Barnes, is that we were completely honest and truthful, while the company was playing a game of rhetoric. The workers could tell the difference.”