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Taking a Stand at SBC
In preparation for SBC bargaining, mobilization meetings and training are underway for local leaders and activists in the four districts representing SBC workers.
Contracts covering CWA members at SBC West (formerly Pacific Bell), SBC Southwest (Southwestern Bell), SBC Midwest (Ameritech) and SBC East (Southern New England Telephone) expire in early April, and CWA wants every member to know how important the planned solidarity actions are in winning fair contracts that address key concerns about jobs and job security and health care.
Bargaining begins Feb 12 for members in District 9; Feb 20 for Districts 4 and 6; and will be announced shortly for District 1.
Materials on bargaining issues have been distributed throughout Districts 1, 4, 6 and 9, with mobilization coordinators and locals holding training sessions on SBC's financial and industry outlook, CWA's bargaining power and the need for unity across SBC territory.
SBC management already has infuriated retirees, alerting them that the company would implement medical insurance caps beginning in January 2005 and assess health care costs to retired workers. At just about the same time, SBC wrote to those same retirees, asking their help in letter-writing campaigns and other activities to promote SBC's business and policies.
CWA President Morton Bahr stressed that the union "will do everything we possibly can to prevent retirees from sharing the cost of their health care premiums."
More information about mobilization activities and SBC bargaining is available at ga.cwa-union.org/sbc. At that site, SBC members can sign up to receive the email newsletter, Unity@SBC, by supplying a personal email address. SBC workers also can use the site to click on the contractor tracking survey and report all incidents of contracting out. This is a critical part of our fight to bring jobs back to the bargaining unit.
Contracts covering CWA members at SBC West (formerly Pacific Bell), SBC Southwest (Southwestern Bell), SBC Midwest (Ameritech) and SBC East (Southern New England Telephone) expire in early April, and CWA wants every member to know how important the planned solidarity actions are in winning fair contracts that address key concerns about jobs and job security and health care.
Bargaining begins Feb 12 for members in District 9; Feb 20 for Districts 4 and 6; and will be announced shortly for District 1.
Materials on bargaining issues have been distributed throughout Districts 1, 4, 6 and 9, with mobilization coordinators and locals holding training sessions on SBC's financial and industry outlook, CWA's bargaining power and the need for unity across SBC territory.
SBC management already has infuriated retirees, alerting them that the company would implement medical insurance caps beginning in January 2005 and assess health care costs to retired workers. At just about the same time, SBC wrote to those same retirees, asking their help in letter-writing campaigns and other activities to promote SBC's business and policies.
CWA President Morton Bahr stressed that the union "will do everything we possibly can to prevent retirees from sharing the cost of their health care premiums."
More information about mobilization activities and SBC bargaining is available at ga.cwa-union.org/sbc. At that site, SBC members can sign up to receive the email newsletter, Unity@SBC, by supplying a personal email address. SBC workers also can use the site to click on the contractor tracking survey and report all incidents of contracting out. This is a critical part of our fight to bring jobs back to the bargaining unit.