Telecom News - AT&T Video Services Members Ratify New Contract

CWA members in Texas unanimously ratified a new three-year agreement with AT&T Video Services that provides job upgrades, wage increases, improvements to the company's health care proposal and other gains. About 80 customer service representatives and technicians are covered by the agreement.

More than 40 percent of unit members received job upgrades and the agreement also provides for an 8 percent wage increase over the contract term along with lump sum payments and several increased pay differentials.

On health care, improvements have the potential to save workers hundreds of dollars a year, and pension bands also were increased. And the agreement sets new limits on mandatory forced overtime, a critical issue for members.

CWA District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn said the unity and solidarity of 65,000 CWA members in District 6 locals was the key to achieving a fair agreement.

"Constant mobilization by District 6 locals, including a rally in San Antonio, showed AT&T we had solidarity with our 80 union brothers and sister at Video Services," he said. Milburn also thanked J.D. Williams, president of Local 6215, and local members for their strong support, including the seed money for buses to San Antonio.