AT&T Southeast Bargaining Report #35
Unfortunately, there has been no real progress at the bargaining table. Our bargaining team met with the company this morning. Based on the proposals passed by the company at the bargaining table today, it's becoming increasingly clear that AT&T is not serious about reaching an agreement. We have now reached a critical stage in negotiations.
Our bargaining team has gone to the table time and time again, expressing to the company that our members want a contract and that our team is ready to reach an agreement. The company continues to make absurd proposals that stand in the way of an agreement. These proposals include: Wage increases that are far from being acceptable, large increases in healthcare premiums, deductibles, and max out of pocket costs, changes to Article 14, no contract improvements whatsoever for Wire Technicians, dramatically expanding the scope of work for Wire Technicians with no increase in pay, reducing termination pay, reductions to sick time, cuts to night differential, etc.
Our bargaining team continues to push back against the company's ridiculous proposals and fight for what our members want and deserve. CWA has made numerous proposals at the bargaining table that would increase the standard of living for our members and improve their work/life balance. These proposals include: Wage increases that reflect today's economic conditions, lowering the healthcare premiums, deductibles, and max out of pockets costs to reflect lower healthcare expenses for CWA members in the Southeast, no layoffs, forced overtime improvements, service observing improvements for call center workers, protecting Article 14, Increasing SIPP, and numerous improvements for Wire Technicians. CWA's proposals for Wire Technicians include wage scale upgrades, improved scheduling and time off, reductions to forced overtime, double time payments, surplus protections, and proposals on many other important issues.
Our bargaining team will be meeting with the company's team again this afternoon. We will once again send a strong message to the company that our members want a contract, and they wanted it three days ago. AT&T needs to understand that the expiration date on our contract means something. While our bargaining team goes to the bargaining table to fight for you, please make sure you are doing what it takes to let the company know that all of District 3 is ready to fight for the contract we deserve. We deserve more in 24!