Valentine Victory at Valor

Workers at Kerrville Telephone Co. in Kerrville, Texas, recently acquired by Valor, tasted the sweet kiss of victory on Valentine's Day, when they voted 53-39 to bring 102 workers into CWA.

"We're really glad to have them - we want to make sure that Valor remains union wall-to-wall," said Local 6171 President Mike Simmons. The local represents about 1,000 workers in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn congratulated the workers and all associated with the campaign, particularly Local 6171 Organizers Clementine Urista and Leighton Williams.

Workers, fed up with no raises, no explanation of their benefits and the constant threat of being fired, contacted Williams last September. Five - Daryl Kott, Ann Chipman, Beth Mandrey, Janet Pape and Steve Griffin - came to the first informational meeting the organizers set up.

Over the course of four meetings, attendance rose to 12 workers, who became an effective organizing committee.

Local 6171 Area Vice President Jimmy Funk, a veteran of Valor negotiations in New Mexico, explained the union to onsite workers in early December. Committee members and organizers visited workers' homes the last 10 days of the campaign.

"I didn't do this - they did it, and they were fantastic," Urista said of their efforts.

Simmons said he will bargain to roll the workers into an existing Valor contract.

Danny Fetonte, District 6 area director for organizing, and CWA Representative Donna Bentley assisted on the campaign.