Entries from June 2009 ↓

CWA, along with Thousands of people rallied Thursday in Washington, D.C. for “affordable and comprehensive” health care. The rally was the largest demonstration for healthcare reform in history. The rally featured testimony in support of health care reform from a wide a range of people, including union groups,health care providers, and uninsured Americans. Speakers included Speakers included Senator Arlen Specter, Congressman Joe Sestak, actress Edie Falco and Congressional delegations from around the country. Photos by Rob England

CWA District 9/AT&T West
Bargaining Bulletin #67
Monday, June 22, 2009

Our committee spent the weekend in caucus, both reviewing issues and developing bargaining proposals that will move us forward. Meetings of the full committee have taken place today and will continue tomorrow to discuss the entire range of unresolved issues.

We have reached a critical stage in this bargaining and continue pressing the company to move on the important outstanding issues. We remain ready and willing to work round the clock, if necessary, in order to reach an agreement that is fair to our members.

Remember, all of the company’s regressive issues are still on the table. Please check with your local mobilizers for upcoming activities. Participation in these activities is imperative for you to get a fair and just contract. We will issue bulletins as events warrent.

STRIKE STANDBY DAY 79!

IN UNITY,
Bill Demers
Pam Suniga
Art Gonzalez
Tom Runnion
William B. Harvey
Lupe Mercado

Mobilize Mobilize Mobilize
1 Union 1 Fight 1 Future

CWA District 9/AT&T West
Bargaining Bulletin #66
Thursday, June 18, 2009

Your bargaining committee has continued meeting with the company day and night in informal discussions, “concept discussions” in an effort to get agreements on issues that can be reduced to writing and to continue narrowing the issues.

In order to keep bargaining moving in a positive direction, our committee has decided not to take a recess to attend the CWA Convention, but instead stay at the bargaining table and keep working towards a fair contract.

Keep the pressure on! We know this has been a long process for everyone and we can’t stress enough how important it is to keep mobilizing while we work through this process. Please check with your local mobilizers for upcoming activities. Participation in these activities is imperative for you to get a fair and just contract.

STRIKE STANDBY DAY 75!

IN UNITY,
Bill Demers
Pam Suniga
Art Gonzalez
Tom Runnion
William B. Harvey
Lupe Mercado

Mobilize Mobilize Mobilize
1 Union 1 Fight 1 Future

The demonstration for the Employee Free Choice Act took place on Saturday June 13th. The EFCA banner was flown on the Olive st overpass towards 99 northbound traffic. The deomnstration garnered many honks of support from oncoming motorists and truckers as well as pedestrians on the overpass.

Pictured Rob England and Tammie Smith

CWA District 9/AT&T West
Bargaining Bulletin #65
Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Your Bargaining Committee has continued to work to narrow the differences on many items. We have been meeting with the company in sub-committee and informal sessions and had a number of meetings with the CWA Research Department to analyze changes from our discussions on healthcare.

We have entered a critical stage of bargaining and need your help. While all of the Companies negative proposals remain on the table, they have finally engaged us in detailed, informal discussions on all issues. This is a process of “what if” for example, “If we move off of this, or give you that.. will you accept this or move off of that..” while this is an agonizingly slow process due to the detail of what we are dealing with – it is essential to narrowing the differences and get a true sense of what may either lead to an agreement or where we might completely break down.

Keep the pressure on! We understand that it is frustrating that we cannot share the details of these negotiations, however, rest assured at some point we will get a tentative agreement and be able to share all of the details with you in advance of casting your vote. Until then, please continue to support the Bargaining Committee who is working hard to get the best possible contract.

STRIKE STANDBY DAY 73!

IN UNITY,
Bill Demers
Pam Suniga
Art Gonzalez
Tom Runnion
William B. Harvey
Lupe Mercado

Mobilize Mobilize Mobilize
1 Union 1 Fight 1 Future

CWA District 9/AT&T West
Bargaining Bulletin #64
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Your committee worked until late last night and continues informal discussions with the company today on a variety of topics. We are working to narrow the differences, but progress is difficult with discussions centering sometimes on a single word, and is being hampered by the company’s reluctance to provide proposals in writing. Discussions will continue through the weekend.

Now is not the time to slack off. Pump it up! Create as much chaos as possible. It is your involvement that clearly tells the company that you demand a fair and just contract.

Your continued effort to make sure all your work is done safely and with 100% quality, along with your participation in mobilization events, is essential for continued movement at the bargaining table.

STRIKE STANDBY DAY 70!

IN UNITY,

William B. Harvey
Lupe Mercado
Bill Demers
Pam Suniga
Art Gonzalez
Tom Runnion

Mobilize Mobilize Mobilize
1 Union 1 Fight 1 Future

CWA District 9/AT&T West
Bargaining Bulletin #63
Thursday, June 11, 2009

The parties met today in extensive sub-committee sessions and explored, in detail, many of the most difficult issues facing us. We had some of the best discussions to date. Although no agreement has been reached yet, and there are still significant differences, progress has been made. District 9 Vice-President Jim Weitkamp has now joined us in the workroom.

Now is not the time to slack off. Pump it up! Create as much chaos as possible. It is your involvement that clearly tells the company that you
demand a fair and just contract.

Your continued effort to make sure all your work is done safely and with 100% quality, along with your participation in mobilization events, is essential for continued movement at the bargaining table.

STRIKE STANDBY DAY 68!

IN UNITY,
William B. Harvey
Lupe Mercado
Bill Demers
Pam Suniga
Art Gonzalez
Tom Runnion
Mobilize Mobilize Mobilize
1 Union 1 Fight 1 Future

CWA District 9/AT&T West
Bargaining Bulletin #62
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Your mobilization efforts have caused the company to finally begin to engage us on the critical health care issue. While we are still far apart, it is a small step in the right direction. We’ve had several formal and informal sessions with detailed discussions on healthcare, the future of the Premises Technicians and the impact on the Services Technician job functions. The company moved on some issues but have yet to get the message of what our members need and want.

The company still doesn’t get it!!!!

Help us help you. Pump it up! Create as much chaos as possible. It is your involvement that clearly tells the company that you demand a fair and just contract.

Your continued effort to make sure all your work is done safely and with 100% quality, along with your participation in mobilization events, is essential for any movement at the bargaining table.

STRIKE STANDBY DAY 67!

IN UNITY,
William B. Harvey
Lupe Mercado
Bill Demers
Pam Suniga
Art Gonzalez
Tom Runnion
Mobilize Mobilize Mobilize
1 Union 1 Fight 1 Future

CWA District 9/AT&T West
Bargaining Bulletin #61
Friday, June 05, 2009

This week we continued to meet in subcommittee and formal sessions. We’ve seen some movement on secondary issues but we still remain far apart on all major items. We also had a conference call, including a Q & A session where we discussed the current bargaining process, with the District 9 Mobilizing Committee and Local Mobilizers.
We are looking forward to the larger regional activities and other plans they are putting into play. We’d like to thank you and the mobilizers for your involvement in these activities. It is your involvement that clearly tells the company that you demand a fair and just contract.
Your continued effort to make sure all your work is done safely and with 100% quality, along with your participation in mobilization events, is essential for any movement at the bargaining table.
STRIKE STANDBY DAY 62!

IN UNITY,
William B. Harvey
Lupe Mercado
Bill Demers
Pam Suniga
Art Gonzalez
Tom Runnion
Mobilize Mobilize Mobilize
1 Union 1 Fight 1 Future