Tentative Agreements Reached at Avaya and OFS

CWA reached tentative agreements with Avaya and Optical Fiber Solutions that protect health care benefits for active and retired workers, increase wages and meet other critical bargaining goals.

At Avaya, the CWA bargaining team stood firm against management's demands for cutbacks and concessions, particularly in health care. "Members' non-stop bargaining support and mobilization for a fair contract got the message across to management," said Communications and Technologies Vice President Ralph Maly. Maly and the bargaining team also credited call center members for their very effective mobilization.

The three-year agreement, which covers more than 1,500 CWA-represented workers, maintains health care benefits for workers and retirees. The agreement provides a $1,250 lump sum in the first year and wage increases of 2.75 percent in the second and third contract years. Other improvement include a 4 percent pension increase for active workers and job security gains, including a no-layoff pledge for workers in all job titles for 9 months.

At OFS, the CWA bargaining team reached tentative agreement for a four-year contract that turned back management's attempts to slash health care benefits for active and retired employees. The agreement, covering 250 workers at facilities in Norcross, Ga., and Sturbridge, Mass., provides for base wage increases of 7.25 over the contract term, with a $250 lump sum in the first year, plus a $250 bonus on ratification.

Go to www.cwa-comtech.org for the final bargaining reports and updates on contract ratification.