2011 CWA/ATT Mobility Puerto Rico Bargaining Report #12

Your bargaining Committee met with the company late Tuesday afternoon with the hope the company would come to the table with realistic responses to our limited proposals. However, that was not to be. The Company did respond positively to some changes in Article 21 the Union proposed, but they rejected most of the Union proposals on Article 19, 22, and 23, saying they did not want to change existing language. In Article 19 the only change they agreed to was to increase on-call payments and to provide a differential for employees assigned to open or close Company retail locations. In Article 22 they did not agree to any provisions the Union proposed for more flexible use of vacation days that would help employee’s personal obligations even though it would be no cost to the company. The company also refused to delete language in Article 23 regarding Holiday payment even though the cost would be minimal and would give Puerto Rico employees the same pay treatment when they work a holiday as Mobility employees in other Mobility contracts. The company stated this would create an economic burden on them.

The Union said the company responses were ridiculous since AT&T Mobility in Puerto Rico was highly successful and the employees should be treated as assets of the company and not as an “economic burden”.

We then recessed for the night and are scheduled to meet again Wednesday. A bargaining report will be issued after we finish.

With the continued denial of our proposals, we expect the next few days to be very difficult. Obviously the company does not believe you need to share in their profits or that you contribute to them. It is up to you to show the company you deserve more than they are offering. Let your managers know how you feel and that you will not settle for less. It is time for AT&T Mobility Puerto Rico to RETHINK, a fair contract is POSSIBLE!

In Unity,

Your CWA Mobility Bargaining team

(Note: Tentative agreements are contingent on reaching an overall agreement)

MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – Contract expires February 18th!!