AT&T Southeast Bargaining Report #47

Today, our bargaining team met with AT&T’s representatives at both the Common Interest Table, where we bargain for wages, benefits pensions, etc. and the BST Table, where we bargain for work rules, or contract provisions. Our bargaining team continues to demand that our members receive annual wage increases that actually put us ahead in today’s economic climate. The company’s wage proposals continue to fall short of what our members deserve.  

The biggest obstacle at the bargaining table is the benefits or healthcare plan. The company continues to make benefits proposals based on AT&T’s national average for healthcare cost. The problem with this, is that our healthcare costs in District 3 are much lower than AT&T’s national average. This is the biggest obstacle to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table. AT&T wants us to pay more for our healthcare than it actually costs. We have made AT&T well aware that we don't want to be over charged for our healthcare, but AT&T’s response is “this cost structure works well for the company.”

Yesterday, our bargaining team received notice from AT&T’s representatives, that the company wants to enter into federal mediation. Considering AT&T’s bad faith tactics during these negotiations, our bargaining team is hopeful that mediation might lead us to the agreement our members deserve. Currently, we are scheduled to meet with the federal mediator tomorrow morning. Until then, we will continue to bargain, and have plans to return to the bargaining table later this afternoon.  

We know that you are fighting for us! We want you to know that we are fighting for you! And that we don’t have any plans to stop!