Final Bargaining Report - CWA-ATT Mobility
April 17, 2010
District 3 Tentative Agreement
AT&T Mobility Final Bargaining Report
As with all the other Mobility contracts, the one we just bargained in District 3 involved difficult bargaining. In light of the company's position on economic issues, and the represented status in the bargaining unit, the bargaining team believes we achieved the best contract possible. This is a tentative agreement until ratified by majority vote of members voting in a secret ballot election. The Bargaining Committee unanimously recommends ratification of this agreement.
Meanwhile, here are some of the highlights on the key issues of the new tentative agreement.
- $500.00 bonus upon ratification
- Wages:
- Wage increase across the board of 2.75% Retroactive to 3/26/10
- 2.25% Eff 2/6/2011
- 2.5% Eff: 2/5/2012
- 2.5% Eff 2/3/2013
- Adding three new Titles which involves Upgrades for approximately 806 employees in Call Centers
- Upgrade Wireless Technician I to Wireless Technician II
Article 7: Grievance Procedure
Sec 3. Increased time for appealing to Step 2 from 15 days to 30 days
…… New Section to add provision for Executive level grievances
Article 12: Hours of Work
Company will change process to enable employees in Retail to see preferences made by other employees and days that have been selected for vacation, floating Holidays and Excused Work Days prior to making their preferences. In the Centers employees will also be able to view what tours are available prior to making their preferences so they will know what is available by seniority.
(In addition, we still have the arbitration case dealing with the Scheduling Tool)
Article 14: Force Adjustment
Sec 1. Increased surplus notification from 30 days to 60 days if it involves a surplus of 50 or more employees.
Sec 4. Increased Severance pay maximum from $12,000 to $16,000
Article 17: Company-Union Relationship
Sec 5. Increase Union time from 240 hours to 320 and for Locals representing 150 or more Mobility employees from 480 hours to 960 hours.
Article 18: Union Activities
Added language that material on Union Bulletin Boards will be removed only by an Official Union Representative
Article 19: Basis of Compensation
Sec 4. Increase On-Call pay from $20.00 per day to $34.00
Sec 8. Add management relief differential for employees assigned to perform managerial opening or closing (Key Holder) responsibilities in Retail stores.
Sec 10. Add a $2.00 per day differential for part-time Call Center employees assigned to speak in a foreign language
Article 21: Absences
Sec 2a. Add language that if personal leave is approved, earned time will not have to be taken prior to the leave being taken.
Sec 4. Employees subpoenaed in a court case in which they are a party shall be excused without pay.
Article 22: Vacations
Added language for part time employees that pro-rated vacation pay will be based on hours worked rather than scheduled hours
Article 23: Holidays
Excluded Floating & Designated Holidays from requirement to work the day before and after unless the Designated Holiday is scheduled by management.
Added language for part time employees that pro-rated holiday pay will be based on hours worked rather than scheduled hours
Article 24. Excused Days with Pay
Sec 2. Changed two (2) hour increments to one (1) hour increments
Sec 5. Added language for part time employees that pro-rated pay for Excused days will be based on hours worked rather than scheduled hours.
Duration of agreement: March 27, 2010 to February 7, 2014
Renewed the following Letters of Agreement:
- Strategic Alliance Committee
- DMDR Chargebacks
- Subcontracting
- Memphis Distribution Center – Tow Motors
- Memphis Distribution Center Leadership Forum
Revised the following Letters of agreement:
- Call Quality Observation – Same language as in the Orange contract
- Quota Relief – reduced the number of hours required from 40 to 8 for use in discipline, no change for use in pay.
In Unity,
Your Mobility Bargaining Team
CWA-ATT Mobility - Tentative Agreement Reached
April 16, 2010
We met with the company earlier this evening and the company responded to some of our proposals and then passed a final economic package as well as the remaining items they were willing to agree to. After hours of discussion and questions we finally reached a tentative agreement on a new four year contract including across the board wage increases each year. Details of the T/A will be posted on the District Web site tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone for your support of the Bargaining Committee!
We also appreciate the cheesecake delivered today from Local 3122, Don Abicht President!!!
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #14
April 16, 2010
We met with the company this morning for a short period of time and rejected their last economic proposal. After further discussion on the issues critical to our members, we recessed while the company worked on putting together responses.
After more discussion with the company via phone they indicated they would be putting together a package of responses for us to consider.
We are on call waiting for the "package".
A new report will be issued once we meet later this evening.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #13
April 15, 2010
Your bargaining committee met with the Company this morning to continue trying to reach an agreement. After discussion across the table regarding the company counter proposal to Article 19 management relief, we T/A'd the proposal.
The company then rejected Union proposals on Article 12, bargaining over non standard tours; Article 22, adding one week unpaid vacation; Article 22, day at a time vacation in 2 hour increments; and Article 19, foreign language differential improvements. The company then passed a counter proposal to Article 7 relating to Grievance time limits. We then recessed to continue working on our responses.
We met again later in the afternoon. The Union presented revised proposals on Article 7, Grievance time frames and additional Executive level grievance language; Article 11 seniority, Article 19, foreign language differential; Article 22 carry over vacation; a revised proposal on the Short Term Disability letter, and a revised proposal on the Alliance for Employee Growth training. The Union also passed a counter to the company proposal on changes to how the company figures Part Time employee hours for Vacation, Holidays and Excused days.
The company presented another economic proposal that had minor improvements, but still far from what our members need and deserve.
Once we finished, the company said they wanted to make it clear that while they expected to get an agreement by contract expiration, they have no interest in extending the contract if that does not happen.
We are on call tonight if the company has responses and are scheduled to meet all day tomorrow to try and reach a fair and just contract for our members prior to expiration.
With one day left, we hope the company will realize our members are responsible for the success of the company and come across with a realistic economic proposal!
(Note: Tentative agreements are contingent on reaching an overall agreement)
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
ONLY ONE MORE DAY UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #12
April 14, 2010
Your bargaining committee met with the Company this morning anticipating responses, but they had nothing for us. The Union passed a revised proposal on Article 17 increasing Union time. After discussion the company T/A'd our proposal. We then recessed waiting on the company to come back with responses to previous Union proposals.
We met again late this afternoon. The Company rejected Union proposals on Article 19 Call Out payments, a new section to add prorated annual commission to paid time off, and Article 25, Exchange time improvements. In addition they rejected Union proposals on LOAs dealing with Short Term Disability, DMDR Chargebacks as well as a new proposal to add training from the Alliance for Employee Growth.
To add insult to the rejections, they passed an economic proposal that was significantly less than other contracts, including a proposal to put new employees in a new Pension Plan.
We expressed our disgust with the proposal and left the table for the day.
With just two days left, we hope the company will get serious tomorrow about the well deserved needs of our members and their employees.
(Note: Tentative agreements are contingent on reaching an overall agreement)
****We really appreciate the fruit basket delivered today from Local 3511, Kim Sadler President!!!
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
TWO MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #11
April 13, 2010
Your bargaining committee met with the Company this morning to continue discussions. The Company rejected Union proposals on Article 12, 40 hours over five days, on Article 19 related to time worked, and Article 22 reducing the waiting time for paid illness. The company passed counter proposals on Article 14 severance pay, and Article 19 On Call Pay. They also T/A'd our proposal on Article 24 adding 1hr increments for EWP days. After discussion on their proposed changes we said we would evaluate their counters and get back to them later.
The Union T/A'd the company counter increasing On Call Pay.
The Union recessed to prepare responses and review their proposals. We met again this afternoon. The Company rejected Union proposals on subcontracting and Agency employees saying they were not interested in any new language. They also rejected the Union proposal to strengthen seniority language. They passed counter proposals on Article 24 related to carryover vacation, (which actually did not change the language), and on Article 17 to increase Union time. After discussion and questions we said we would look at their responses and get back to them.
The Union passed a revised proposal on Article 14, severance pay and after discussion the company verbally countered the proposal and the Union agreed to T/A the counter.
After much discussion we recessed to work on the issues and responses. We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.
(Note: Tentative agreements are contingent on reaching an overall agreement)
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
THREE MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #10
April 12, 2010
Your bargaining committee met with the Company today to continue discussions. The Company rejected Union proposals on Article 9 on voting time, Article 19 on overtime after 8 hours, and Article 21 on Union time and FMLA. The company passed counter proposals on Article 19 On Call Pay, additional language on management relief, and Article 14 on surplus notification. After discussion on their proposed changes we said we would evaluate their counters and get back to them later.
The Union recessed to prepare responses and discuss their proposals. We met again later in the day and passed new proposals on Article 14, surplus notification, a revised proposal on Article 19 related to time worked, and Article 19 On Call Pay. In addition, we passed a revised proposal on Article 21, absence for funerals. The company had many questions and issues related to why our proposals were either unnecessary, or too expensive.
After much discussion we recessed to work on the issues and responses. We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.
Since we started the Union has passed 46 proposals and as of today the company has only responded to 13. With only four more days until expiration we would expect the Company to get serious!
(Note: Tentative agreements are contingent on reaching an overall agreement)
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
FOUR MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Strike Vote
April 12, 2010
AT&T Mobility employees have voted overwhelmingly to authorize President Larry Cohen to call a strike against AT&T Mobility if necessary.
In Unity,
Judy Dennis
Vice President
CWA District 3
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #9
April 9, 2010
Your bargaining committee met with the Company this morning to continue discussions. The Company passed a proposal to change how part-time employees hours are calculated for purposes of Vacation, Holidays, and Excused paid days. The Union discussed the proposal and told the company we would get back to them.
The company rejected Union Proposals on Article 21 for additional bereavement time, Article 23 on Holiday pay if removed by ambulance the day of, and pay if on an approved FMLA.
We did reach tentative agreements on minor proposals. They were the Letter of Agreement on the Strategic Alliance Committee, Union Bulletin boards, unpaid excused time if subpoenaed for court appearance in which the employee is a party to the case, and additional language on Article 23 regarding Designated and Floating holidays.
(Note: Tentative agreements are contingent on reaching an overall agreement)
After discussion on other issues we recessed for the day. Your bargaining committee will continue working on proposals and responses to the company over the weekend.
We are scheduled to meet again Monday.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
SEVEN MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #8
April 8, 2010
Your bargaining committee met with the Company this morning to continue discussions and pass proposals. The Company did not have any proposals today.
The Union passed proposals on Article 19, to add prorated commission to base pay for any paid time off. We also passed proposals on Appendix A, to add several new upgraded titles, and to create a joint job evaluation committee to look at new jobs or functions as they develop. We passed another proposal to merge the Tech I title into the Tech II title.
After extensive discussion on the above proposals, the company stated they would look at them and get back to us.
We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
EIGHT MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
AT&T Mobility Bargaining Report #7
April 7, 2010
The Union and the company did not meet today. Your bargaining committee spent the day reviewing company responses to our data requests and formulating proposals and responses to present when we meet again.
We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
NINE MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #6
April 6, 2010
Your Bargaining committee met with AT&T Company representatives today to continue bargaining discussions.
Again, the company had no new proposals.
CWA presented proposals on Article 23, to improve Holiday language and add more flexible time, to make FMLA time excused, extend carryover time, and to pay employees for any unused time when leaving payroll; on Article 24 to extend carry over time and pay for any unused time when leaving payroll. We also passed proposals to renew and improve language on the following Letters of Agreement (LOAs) or Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs): Subcontracting, Call Quality Observation (to include CFT (customer feedback tool) and PCS (post call survey), Short Term Disability, Quota relief (for all), Chargebacks, and the Strategic Alliance Committee (SAC). In addition we proposed language to add the Alliance for Employee Growth and Development for enhancing skills and development for our members. The company had many questions and continued to express concern for the cost of our proposals in addition to what Mobility already provides to their employees. After much discussion they said they would look at the proposals and get back to us.
We recessed for the day to continue developing proposals as well as preparing responses to the company proposals.
We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.
Please remember that these are initial proposals and in bargaining, anything can change as we get further in the process.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
TEN MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #5
April 5, 2010
Your Bargaining committee met with AT&T Company representatives today to continue bargaining discussions.
The company had no new proposals.
CWA presented a proposal on Article 14 severance pay, several on Article 19, including OT after 8 hours, increase in On Call pay, additional Call Out language, improved language on management relief, and foreign language differential for all departments. We passed proposals to improve language on absence for funerals and waiting time for paid illness absence. In addition, we passed proposals on Article 22 to improve vacation language and flexibility for our members. The company had many questions and expressed concern for the cost of our proposals. After much discussion they said they would look at the proposals and get back to us.
We recessed for the day to continue developing proposals as well as preparing responses to the company proposals.
We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.
Please remember that these are initial proposals and in bargaining, anything can change as we get further in the process.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining Team
ELEVEN MORE DAYS UNTIL CONTRACT EXPIRATION!!!
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #4
April 1, 2010
Your Bargaining committee met with AT&T Company representatives this morning to continue bargaining discussions.
The company had no new proposals.
CWA presented new proposals on Article 12 relating to scheduling, Article 21 Absences relating to Personal Leaves of Absence, Article 23 Holidays, Article 24 Excused days with pay, and Article 25, to improve the Exchange time language. After much discussion and questions by the company, they said they would look at the proposals and get back to us.
We recessed for the day to continue developing proposals as well as preparing responses to the company proposals.
Bargaining will be in recess for the Easter weekend. We are scheduled to meet again Monday.
Please remember that these are initial proposals and in bargaining anything can change as we get further in the process.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #3
March 31, 2010
Your Bargaining committee met with AT&T Company representatives to continue bargaining discussions.
The company presented a proposal to change language in Article 9 on the arbitration process. CWA responded with questions and after discussion we said we would get back to them with our response.
CWA presented proposals on Article 17 Company Union Relationship, including Union time, proposals on Article 21, Absences, and a proposal on vacation time availability. After discussion the company said they would look at the proposals and get back to us.
We recessed for the day to continue developing proposals as well as preparing responses to the company proposals.
We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning at 10:00AM
Please remember that these are initial proposals and in bargaining, anything can change as we get further in the process.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE – MOBILIZE
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #2
March 30, 2010
Your Bargaining committee met today with AT&T Company representatives to continue bargaining discussions.
The company presented a proposal to eliminate the Day after Thanksgiving as a Holiday and replace it with a floating Holiday. Their second proposal would change when a Holiday would be observed when it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. CWA responded with questions and after discussion we said we would get back to them with our response.
CWA presented 5 proposals. We proposed several changes in Article 12 , including scheduling 40 hours per week over five days instead of six, that any non traditional tours must be negotiated with CWA, that all meetings and training be conducted during regular scheduled tours, and that employees breaks and meal periods be adjusted based on calls extended into breaks or lunches. In addition we proposed changes in Article 14, Force Adjustment, to increase the notice to sixty days for employees affected, and a proposal to allow employees paid time off to vote in Federal, State and local elections. After discussion the company said they would look at the proposals and get back to us.
We recessed for the day to continue developing proposals as well as preparing responses to the company proposals.
We are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning at 10:00AM
Please remember that these are initial proposals and in bargaining, anything can change as we get further in the process.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team:
MOBILITY BARGAINING OPENING STATEMENT
March 29, 2010
CWA-MOBILITY BARGAINING
OPENING REMARKS
Betty Witte, Administrative Director to the Vice President District 3
CWA Bargaining Chair
As we go into bargaining we all understand the economic climate we are working with in. Having said that, we are also quite aware that AT&T is one of the most profitable companies in the United States earning 123 Billion dollars in revenue for 2009. Please don't come to the table with your hand out. Our CWA members, your assets, have already given their fair share. In case AT&T has a short memory let me remind you that your employees took a huge increase in their Health Care Cost. They are still bleeding and trying to understand WHY. Steve, if you remember AT&T did NOT need the increase, you did it because your competitors gouged their employees. Shame on them and shame on you!!
Just as your stockholders expect return on their investments, our members demand the same. Your employees are your best source of advertisement for AT&T! As Ralph de la Vega has pointed out in his employee bulletins, our members have shown their loyalty. Well loyalty is a two way street. It's time for AT&T to show loyalty and respect to the employees who win new customers and retain old ones, while exceeding sales on AT&T products and services.
I hope you will be approaching this bargaining table differently. It's time for the company to stop using contractors to do our work, stop the WALMART MENTALITY!! Your employees read that Stephenson's wage package was 20.2 million for 2009. He did not make this by himself. It was made on the backs of his employees. WHERE IS THEIR FAIR SHARE? All 12,000 plus ARE WATCHING AND WAITING!! They deserve to be treated with the respect they have MOST CERTAINLY EARNED!! Our members deserve fair wages that enable them to catch up with the increasing costs AT&T has forced on them, help them to support their families, and enable them to contribute back to the struggling economy.
In all your Company bulletins, AT&T wants to have more from employees including more enthusiasm, more focus, and to be advocates for AT&T and help you earn the JD Powers Award. At this table Steve, CWA expects the same from you. Be their advocate, be enthusiastic, be focused and we will reach a fair and equitable agreement on April 16th.
REMEMBER THE PEOPLE AT THIS TABLE AND THOSE STANDING BEHIND THEM ARE YOUR PAST, YOUR PRESENT, AND YOUR FUTURE!
CWA-ATT Mobility Bargaining Report #1
March 29, 2010
Your Mobility Bargaining committee met today with AT&T Company representatives and each Chair gave opening remarks prior to start of bargaining. Company Chair Steve Frost gave the basic poor economy, we need to sustain the business comments. CWA Chair Betty Witte gave opening remarks (see previous posting) emphasizing the importance of our Mobility members in making AT&T successful and our demand that they share in the success of the company.
After opening remarks and discussion on the logistics on the bargaining we recessed so our bargaining team could attend a noon rally at an AT&T Mobility store in Tucker, GA. Highlights of the rally will be on the D3 web site. After the rally the bargaining team returned to meet with AT&T Mobility.
Betty Witte presented 4 proposals covering language improvements in Article 3 Classification of Employees, dealing with Agency employees, Article 7, Grievance Procedure, Article 11, Seniority, and Article 18, Union activities. After discussion the company said they would look at the proposals and get back to us. The company had no proposals to present today.
We are scheduled to meet tomorrow morning for further discussions.
In Unity,
CWA Mobility Bargaining team
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Bargaining Updates
