NOKIA BARGAINING REPORT #30

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Bargaining Team and the Company met today. In yet another bizarre turn of events the Company, who for months has been saying they need to go to the 3P model due to cost and flexibility, REJECTED several of the Union’s cost savings proposals! When asked if the Company no longer needed to save money the Company Bargaining Chair said “agility, flexibility and investments are what is needed, in addition to cost savings”. SAY WHAT?!?!

We did reach an agreement on keeping existing language on several Articles;  however, the Company proposed eliminating The Alliance. The Company stated they want to keep MOST of the existing language “OUT OF RESPECT” to the Installers, including the layoff allowance, if only we will agree to the Effects Agreement, which would put everyone off roll by June of next year. How can you say you have respect for us when you want to take away our ability to provide for our families?! That's like saying “will you respect me in the morning?” This is a slap in the face to the hard-working men and women who built this company.

In a gesture of good faith the Union, once again, proposed a package that we believe will provide the Company with the cost savings and flexibility they need. Hell, we’ll even give them agility. Bargaining will resume on Wednesday, September 26th.

Please check out and join Nokia’s Yammer Field Forces conversation, an interesting Blog for sure. Remember, if you encounter quality issues with 3P contractors or you are sent to clean up their mess, please send the information to the Bargaining Team:  cwalocal1090@yahoo.com.

Continue using this link to send an online letter to Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri and Nokia Bargaining Chair Steve Muscat, telling them to save American jobs and bargain in good faith! If you would like to write a letter and send it via the USPS their addresses are:

Steve Muscat / Senior Director Americas HR-Labor Relations / Nokia of America Corporation / 600 Mountain Avenue, Room 6C-419 / Murray Hill, NJ 07974

Rajeev Suri / President and Chief Executive Officer / Nokia / Karaporti 3 / Espoo, Finland 02610

An Injury To One, Is An Injury To All!  United We Stand!

Your Bargaining Team,

Mary Jo Reilly
Steve Amato
Luis Benitez