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Voting Underway for Cingular Wireless Pact Covering 5,300 Workers
CWA reached a tentative agreement with Cingular Wireless covering 5,300 workers under the "Orange Contract" in Districts 1, 2, 4, 7, 9 and 13. The mail ratification vote, conducted by the American Arbitration Association, was being finalized as the CWA News went to press.
A union-wide effort helped bring about the agreement, as mobilization and actions at call centers, stores and other workplaces gave management the message that CWA members at Cingular Wireless are serious about maintaining quality jobs and careers at the company, the bargaining committee said.
Support from Cingular Wireless members in Districts 3 and 6, whose contracts expire in March 2006 and February 2008 respectively, was extremely helpful, he said.
CWA Districts 3 and 6 staff representatives also were involved in discussions on employment security provisions, which affect all Cingular Wireless members in light of the merger of AT&T Wireless. "It's critical that the merger with AT&T Wireless works for all of us, and that means workers at both companies," the bargaining team repeatedly told management.
The CWA committee also made clear the need for changes in the compensation plan for retail sales employees that reflect a changing industry.
The settlement provides for a compounded wage increase of 11 percent for all Cingular Wireless workers over the four-year contract term and establishes a new progression wage scale for retail sales consultants and inside sales representatives that will provide, on average, wage increases of 30.1 percent over the contract term. Corporate care representatives will receive an average increase of 24.8 percent over the contract term.
Improvements in employment security include a voluntary enhanced severance plan and an improved recall process in the event of a lay off. The maximum severance payment was increased to $12,000 from $10,000, and the minimum to $600 from $500, based on years of service.
Among other improvements, the agreement addresses call center matters such as quota relief and job duties and establishes a joint committee to discuss stress relief, with a report due within six months. It also provides solid gains in grievance handling, work hours and other issues.
A union-wide effort helped bring about the agreement, as mobilization and actions at call centers, stores and other workplaces gave management the message that CWA members at Cingular Wireless are serious about maintaining quality jobs and careers at the company, the bargaining committee said.
Support from Cingular Wireless members in Districts 3 and 6, whose contracts expire in March 2006 and February 2008 respectively, was extremely helpful, he said.
CWA Districts 3 and 6 staff representatives also were involved in discussions on employment security provisions, which affect all Cingular Wireless members in light of the merger of AT&T Wireless. "It's critical that the merger with AT&T Wireless works for all of us, and that means workers at both companies," the bargaining team repeatedly told management.
The CWA committee also made clear the need for changes in the compensation plan for retail sales employees that reflect a changing industry.
The settlement provides for a compounded wage increase of 11 percent for all Cingular Wireless workers over the four-year contract term and establishes a new progression wage scale for retail sales consultants and inside sales representatives that will provide, on average, wage increases of 30.1 percent over the contract term. Corporate care representatives will receive an average increase of 24.8 percent over the contract term.
Improvements in employment security include a voluntary enhanced severance plan and an improved recall process in the event of a lay off. The maximum severance payment was increased to $12,000 from $10,000, and the minimum to $600 from $500, based on years of service.
Among other improvements, the agreement addresses call center matters such as quota relief and job duties and establishes a joint committee to discuss stress relief, with a report due within six months. It also provides solid gains in grievance handling, work hours and other issues.