Cohen: How "Citizens United" Decision Harms Our Democracy

January 29, 2010

CWA President Larry Cohen made a strong case that the Supreme Court's decision last week allowing corporations and unions to use unlimited treasury funds to make "independent expenditures was just wrong.

"A corporation isn't a person. But the U.S. Supreme Court, in its Citizens United decision, had no problem granting corporations the First Amendment rights that citizens enjoy. This decision will allow corporations to dominate the political process, just like they are able to dominate the workplace, undermining laws that are supposed to protect worker bargaining and organizing rights."  

Read the op-ed by Cohen and UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Or look for it Feb. 2 in The Hill newspaper, www.thehill.com.

AT&T Advertising Solutions Tentative Agreement Update

January 28, 2010

The AT&T Advertising Solutions Tentative Agreement has been rejected by a 65% vote authorizing the President of the Union to set a strike date. 

CWA District 3

The CWA Members of District 3, the old Bell South, have voted down the tentative agreement with AT&T.  The final vote was 60% against, 40% for.  More information will be posted when it becomes available.

AT&T Technician from Georgia Local Killed in Cable Winding Accident

January 29, 2010

CWA is investigating the accidental death of Local 3212 member William Britt Hunt, 39, an AT&T technician from Summerville, Ga., who was killed Jan. 13 when he became entangled in wires being rolled up by his truck's spindle.

"This is a truly tragic event," CWA Safety and Health Director Dave LeGrande said. "CWA is trying to determine exactly what happened and why, and we will present our findings and recommendations to AT&T and to union leaders and members."

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating, as is AT&T. As part of CWA's probe, LeGrande is asking telecom locals to provide information about what kind of training and follow-up members get with regard to cable winch equipment and cable trucks, and whether one or two technicians are typically assigned to cable-winding operations. Locals can email LeGrande at legrande@cwa-union.org.

CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship Program

Fifteen partial college scholarships of $3,000 each are being offered for the 2010-2011 school year. Winners, selected in a lottery drawing, also will receive second-year scholarships of the same amount contingent upon satisfactory academic accomplishment.  Part-time students, less than 12 credits, will receive half of the scholarship monies.

Eligible for the awards are CWA members and their spouses, children and grandchildren, including those of retired or deceased members. Click on General Information for more details.

Update: The 2010-2011 application is now available.  Apply here.

Nactel - Telecommunications Program

January 14, 2010

"Knowledge is of two kinds.
We know a subject ourselves, or
we know where we can find information on it."
Samuel Johnson

Find that knowledge which will help enhance your career. Check out the NACTEL Online Telecommunications programs from Pace University.

·         Associate’s degrees and Certificates are available in:

o       Video Technologies – NEW!

o       Wireless Networking

o       Networking Telecommunications

o       Telecommunications

·         Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications

The interactive, instructor-led courses offer flexibility, convenience, and an industry relevant curriculum that is tailored directly to jobs in the industry.

Courses are delivered entirely online - 24/7, helping you pursue education while balancing work, family, and other personal commitments.

These online telecom degrees are fully accredited and delivered by Pace University and sponsored by NACTEL’s coalition of industry representatives including the Communications Workers of America.  Tuition is discounted for CWA members!

www.nactel.org/cwa

CWA/NETT Wins $4 Million Training Grant from Department of Labor

January 11, 2010

CWA and CWA/NETT have been awarded a $4 million training grant to help dislocated workers train for clean, green energy and manufacturing jobs.

Less than 15 percent of grant proposals submitted were selected to receive a grant; CWA was awarded one of just 25 grants total. The grants are funded by the Obama administration's economic stimulus program.

Workers who have lost auto industry and other manufacturing jobs in Ohio are first in line for the training, CWA/NETT Administrator Kevin Celata said, and other displaced workers and veterans also can apply. Training will focus on green manufacturing skills that prepare workers for jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. CWA/NETT will be able to provide the new course on line. Visit CWA/NETT at http://cwanett.org/.

"This is tremendous and welcome news for our members, who've been hit even harder than most Americans by outsourcing, offshoring and the recession," IUE-CWA President Jim Clark said. "The training this grant makes possible will lead to good, sustainable jobs and give a thousand families a more secure future."

Happy New Year from CWA Local 6012

CWA/AT&T Advertising Solutions Bargaining Highlights

December 22, 2009

DURATION

·         Four-year Contract expires December 6, 2013

EARLY RATIFICATION AWARD

·         The Company will grant four (4) Special Christmas Days paid at salary for time between Christmas and New Year 2009 as a ratification bonus

·         $500 ratification bonus on or before the second payday after ratification

·         To receive the $500 Ratification Bonus, agreement must be ratified by January 28, 2010

·         Letter explaining that should the Tentative Agreement not ratify, the $500 ratification bonus will not be paid

WAGES - NONCOMMISSION EMPLOYEES

·         Average general wage increases for non-commission employees compounded to 11.75%.  Percentage wage increases will be applied exponentially, with no change to the start rate:

-   Base Wage Increase of 2.75% effective December 5, 2009

-   Base Wage Increase of 3% effective February 6, 2011

-   Base Wage Increase of 2.75% effective February 5, 2012

-   Base Wage Increase of 2.75% effective February 13, 2013

TEAM PERFORMANCE AWARD PLAN (TPA)

·         Renewed the Team Performance Award Plan (TPA) for non-commission employees, which will be received in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for performance years 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.  A minimum amount guarantee is included.

COMMISSION EMPLOYEES

·         Incorporated Senior Account Representatives and Cyber Representatives into Article XXVI

·         Substantial increase in base wages for Account Representatives, Sales Representatives, Senior Account Representatives and Cyber Representatives.  Based salaries increased as follows:

·         Average pay will include internet Yellow Page sales.

	Current Salary at Top	1st Year New Salary at Top	2nd Year New Salary at Top	3rd Year New Salary at Top	4th Year New Salary at Top
Account Representative	$16,952	$20,020	$22,126	$24,440	$27,014
Sales Representative	$13,988	$16,016	$17,264	$18,590	$20,020
Sr. Account Representative	$35,022	$35,022	$39,442	$44,408	$50,024
Cyber Representative	$31,200	$31,200	$31,850	$32,526	$33,202

·         Increased commissions on renewal/ITA gated compensation plan.  Renewal and Increase to Advertiser (ITA) gates for Account Representative, Sales Representative, and Sr. Account Representative channels detailed below:

	Account Representative		Sales Representative		Sr. Account Representative
	Renewal	ITA	Renewal	ITA	Renewal	ITA
Gate 1 Gate 2 Gate 3 Gate 4 Gate 5	15% 20% 25% 30% 35%	120% 140% 170% 205% 220%	14% 20% 25% 30% 35%	85% 95% 120% 150% 200%	12% 15% 20% 23% 28%	100% 125% 150% 175% 200%

      New business gates for all sales channels detailed below:

	AR	SR	SAR	Cyber
Gate 1	225%	200%	200%	120%
Gate 2	275%	250%	275%	150%
Gate 3	300%	275%	300%	200%
Gate 4	350%	300%	350%	250%
Gate 5	400%	350%	400%	300%

·         New gated commission plan.

·         Increase to commissions based on Increase to Advertiser (ITA) attainment

·         All revenue paid on same gated schedules, not objective based, no separate P-Pool, no foreign

·         Renewal - when 3% increase not achieved, commissions shall be paid at 15% on revenue renewed for Account representatives, 14% for Sales Representatives and 12% for Sr. Account Representatives

·         Earnings and gates based on cumulative gross ITA sales

·         Earnings based on annual publishing cycle instead of campaign

·         Rollover credit of new sales toward new business gates of next cycle

·         Balance general market +/- 20%

·         IYP Long term agreements count toward increase to advertiser (ITA) gate attainment for commission purposes

·         Losses on subsequent assignment may be returned to the original rep after the 50% mark

·         All-In compensation plan reflects customer total spend

·         Debit proration plan for repayment of commission advance recoveries (chargebacks)

·         Monthly auto allowance increased from $275/mo to $300/mo. 

·         Daily auto allowance increased from $10/day to $12.00/day

·         Between Market mileage increased from 12¢/mi. to 17¢/mi.

·         Laundry expense increased from $15 to $30

·         Long Term Parking allowance increased to a maximum of $9/day to $12/day

·         New Products Article simplified

·         Extended MOU Regarding Cellular Service, added data package as reimbursable item and increased allowance for SAR/AR to $75/$30 CSS

·         Extended MOU regarding Commission Splitting on referred accounts between P and T

·         Extended MOU regarding Treatment of Account Packages involving NYPS activity and incorporated language into Article XXVI

·         Extended letter on transfers to Account Representative position

·         Extended letter on transfers to Senior Account Representative position

·         Extended MOU Regarding Make Goods

·         Letter regarding Transition Severance Offer to offer an option for commissioned representatives with seventeen (17) or more years of service to leave the company with an enhanced severance payment equal to 120% of the amount computed as determined in Article XVIII, Employment Terminations, for a three month period in 2010 and again in 2011.  Sr. Account Representatives severance pay will be calculated at two times their base salary.

·         Letter from Union to meet annually at the conclusion of each publishing cycle to review the new commission plan's impact on earnings.

·         Letter from Company committing to meeting with Union and Cyber Sales organization management team to discuss ideas to reduce the turnover rate

VACATIONS

·         Vacation will now be on an accrued basis vs. granted

·         Extended Vacation "Portability" MOU life of agreement

*     Excused Work Days can be carried over into the following year

EXCUSED WORK DAYS

·         All EWD's can be taken in 2-hour increments

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS DAYS

·         All employees would be given an additional Special Christmas Days (3) paid at salary for each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 during Christmas week. The Company would designate one (1) Excused Work Day within the years of 2010, 2011 and 2012, and the Company would be closed the week between the Christmas and New Year holidays.

TRAVEL

·         Mileage for authorized use of personal vehicle will increase to .42 cents per odometer mile effective 01-01-2010, effective 01-01-2011 increased per odometer mile .43 cents, effective 01-01-2012 increased per odometer mile to .44 cents, effective 01-01-2013 increased per odometer mile .45 cents, not to exceed allowable IRS maximum.

·         Long Term Parking allowance increased to a maximum of $9/day to $12/day

BILINGUAL DIFFERENTIAL

·         Extended Bilingual differential to all employees identified by management.

HEALTH PLAN CHANGES FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES

Current Plan stays in effect for 2010 calendar year

Health Care Premiums, effective January 1, 2011

New Hires

Coverage Tier	2011	2012	2013
Ind	$35	$35	$35
Family	$75	$75	$75

Working Spouse Contributions will no longer apply.

Current Employees

Coverage Tier	2011	2012	2013
Ind	$15	$25	$35
Family	$30	$50	$75

Working Spouse Contributions will no longer apply.

The following are effective January 1, 2011 continuing for the life of this agreement:

·         All deductibles and out of pocket maximums will be on an individual basis.

Annual Deductibles:

	Network/ONA	Non-Network
Ind	$350	$900
Family	$700	$1,800

Out-of-Pocket (OOP) Maximums, excludes annual deductibles:

	Network/ONA	Non-Network
Ind	$1,000	$3,000
Family	$3,000	$6,000

Co-Pays/Co-Insurance:

	Network/ONA	Non-Network
Office Visit - Preventative	$0/$0, deductible waived	No Benefit
Office Visit - Sickness/Illness	$0/10% after deductible	$0/40% after deductible
Tests - Preventative	$0/0%, deductible waived	No Benefit
Tests - Sickness/Illness	$0/10% after deductible	$0/40% after deductible
Urgent Care	$0/10% after deductible	$0/40% after deductible
Hospital In-patient/Out-patient	$0/10% after deductible	$0/40% after deductible
Mental Health/Substance Abuse	$0/10% after deductible	$0/40% after deductible
Emergency Room	$0/10% after deductible	$0/10% after deductible

Prescription Drug Plan

·         There are no deductibles in the Prescription Drug Plan for the years 2011, 2012, 2013

·         Specialty pharmacy program.

·         Mandatory use of generic drugs - If generic exists and brand selected, then you pay generic co-pay plus the difference between brand and generic.  Documentation by doctor can confirm that you must use brand.

·         Maintenance prescriptions are required to be filled through the mail order after second refill at a retail location, or picked up directly at a CVS retail pharmacy.

·         The appeals process will stay in place to pay the lower co-pay rate when a non-formulary drug is medically necessary.

·         An arrangement has been made between the Company and CVS that will permit pick up at the CVS retail locations of 90 day prescriptions for maintenance drugs while receiving the mail-order rate.  This applies even after the prescription has been filled the allowable number of times at a retail pharmacy.  This benefit will be available as soon as administratively possible.

Annual Drug Out-of-Pocket Maximums:

	2011	2012	2013
Ind	$900	$900	$1,200
Family	$1,800	$1,800	$2,400

Co-pays for In-Network Retail Prescription Drugs (30-day supply)

	2011	2012	2013
Generic	$10	$10	$10
Formulary	$20	$20	$35
Non-formulary	$40	$40	$60

Co-pays for In-Network Mail Order Prescription Drugs (90-day supply)

	2011	2012	2013
Generic	$20	$20	$20
Formulary	$40	$40	$70
Non-formulary	$80	$80	$120

Active Employees who retire during Agreement

·         Active Employees who retire during the life of this agreement will continue to receive Active Employee Healthcare Benefits for the life of this agreement.

No changes were made to the following Benefit Plans:

·         Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

·         Disability Plans, both Short Term (STD) and Long Term (LTD)

·         Leaves of Absences

·         Dental

·         Vision

·         CarePlus

·         Adoption

PENSION PLAN

Pension Band Increases:

·         June 1, 2010 - 2%

·         June 1, 2011 - 2%

·         June 1, 2012 - 2%

·         June 1, 2013 - 2%

Commission employees Pension formula changes:

·         Effective with terminations of employment on or after January 1, 2010, for commissioned employees, the employee's average monthly Pension Compensation will be based on the highest three of the last five completed calendar years instead of the last 36 months.

Phased schedule of transition to Pension Protection Act (PPA) becomes effective on January 1, 2012.

·         January 1, 2012 - 25% PPA - 75% GATT

·         January 1, 2013 - 50% PPA - 50% GATT

·         January 1, 2014 - 75% PPA - 25% GATT

·         January 1, 2015 - 100% PPA - 0% GATT

Lump Sum Distribution Options

·         The lump sum interest rate will use the average GATT rate from November of the prior year, beginning on January 1, 2010.

·         The same rate will apply for the entire calendar year.

·         From January 1, 2012 until March 31, 2012, the Company will figure the pension using the GATT rate for anyone retiring during this three month period only in 2012.

JOB SECURITY

·         Renewed letter from Company regarding contracting out work

·         Introduced National Transfer Plan.  The National Transfer Plan combines the Intersubsidiary Movement Form, the Surplus Employee Interchange Program, and replaces the Enhanced Opportunity/Early Retirement Benefit.

·         Letter from Company committing to discuss and consider alternatives to enhance voluntary departures during surplus situations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

·         Extended Flex Time provisions, deleting restrictions when taking time off

·         Extended Four Day Work Week provisions

·         Extended MOU concerning arbitration cases involved in the CWA Internal Appeal Process

·         Company to promote internally the CWA/NETT Academy Training program

·         Renewed Partners in Progress which includes:

-   Work & Family Committee addressing issues relating to Monitoring, Employment Security, Ergonomics, Office of the Future and Reviewing of Publishing Titles

-   Training Advisory Board to discuss solutions to career and education plans and training/retraining

-   Quality and participative Management/Employee Involvement to reaffirm and renew commitment to the process of Quality & Participative Management/Employee Involvement

-   Empowered Work Teams to reaffirm and renew commitment of the availability of Empowered Work Teams (EWTs)

CWA/AT&T Advertising Solutions Bargaining Report #27

December 22, 2009

This is to advise members as of 12:00 p.m. on 12/22/09.  The Union and Company reached a Tentative Agreement; details will follow shortly.

CWA Local 6012 Discount

CWA Local 6012 has negotiated a CWA Members exclusive membership rate at the Platinum Fitness Center located just down the street from the Union Hall.  Click on the link for more information.

CWA/AT&T Advertising Solutions Bargaining Report #26

December 21, 2009

The Union and the Company met Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in an effort to reach clear understandings on the questions asked and clarification on the language.  Significant progress was made in an attempt to reach a tentative agreement.  The Union and the Company are scheduled to meet this morning Monday December 21, 2009 and continue negotiations through out the day.

WE YOU ARE WORKING FOR FOUR YEARS NOT FOUR DAYS

WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU AS A MEMBERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COMMITTEE BY WEARING RED ON THURSDAYS AND BLACK ON FRIDAYS AND REMINDING YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO DO THE SAME.

AT&T Advertising Solutions Bargaining Report #25

December 17, 2009

The Union met with the Company Wednesday December 16^th at 10:30 AM where the Company rejected the Unions proposal.  The Union and the Company then met at 3:30 pm where the Company gave the union its 4^th proposal. The Union spent the rest of the night going over this proposal.

THIS IS YOUR CONTRACT THIS YOUR FUTURE!!!!!!!!

WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU AS MEMBERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COMMITTEE BY WEARING RED ON THURSDAYS AND BLACK ON FRIDAYS AND REMINDING YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO DO THE SAME.

CWA/AT&T Advertising Solutions Bargaining Report #24

December 17, 2009

The Company has not been forthcoming with the answers to many of the Union’s questions.  There seems to be a lot of confusion on their part on the all in plan.

The Union and the Company did not meet on December 15, 2009.

The Union spent all day reviewing unanswered questions.

MOBILIZATION IS THE KEY. PLEASE KEEP UP YOUR MOBILIZATION ACTIVITIES.

YOUR BARGAINING COMMITTEE APPRECIATES YOUR SUPPORT.

In a Unique Partnership Between Business and Labor, CWA, IBEW, AT&T and Verizon Team up to Oppose Tax on Health Care Plans

December 16, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- In a unique partnership between business and labor, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), AT&T and Verizon have joined forces in opposition to the excise tax in the Senate version of the health care reform bill and of the provision that affects the Medicare Part D subsidy for prescription drug coverage. The organizations issued a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid urging him to reconsider both provisions as the legislative process moves forward.

The text of the letter follows:

Dear Majority Leader Reid:

We are writing to express our serious concerns regarding two provisions included in the Senate's pending Health Care Reform legislation.  Both provisions would impact the tax status of providing employee and retiree group benefit plans and both provisions impact the feasibility of continuing to provide such plans.  The first provision affects the Medicare Part D subsidy for prescription drug coverage, which has significant implications for both retirees and employers participating in the Medicare Part D program to provide needed drugs.  The second provision taxes high- value health plans, which we believe will result in diminished coverage for both active employees and retirees.  

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act now being considered by the Senate changes the tax treatment of the financial support provided by employers to provide retiree drug coverage, effective in 2011. Placing a new tax on these employer subsidies is projected to raise $5.4 billion over a 10- year period; but that projection assumes that no more than 25 percent of beneficiaries currently receiving this benefit from their former employer will move into the Medicare Part D program. In fact, we believe that many employers will see the need to drop or revamp their programs, moving more retirees into the government's program than those assumptions predict.  Such movement of people from retiree plans will generate more costs to the federal government than revenues, thus adding to the federal deficit, rather than financing the health care reforms. 

Congress should also be aware that the change in tax treatment would prove to be a distraction to the capital markets, at a time of grave economic uncertainty. That is because accounting rules dictate that, immediately upon the signing of the health reform legislation, employers would have to recognize, on their books, the long-term impact of the new tax liability.

While we commend your efforts to help mitigate the adverse impact of the 40 percent excise tax on high-cost plans, we continue to believe that, even in its current form, the tax is a misguided tool.  If it was intended to address only excessive or luxury health benefits plans, it will, in fact, impact the health plans covering tens of millions of workers, including those in telecommunications, manufacturing, construction, mining, public sectors.  While the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 1 of every 5 workers would be impacted by the excise tax in 2016, the number of impacted workers will rise over time since the thresholds for the tax are significantly below actual health care cost increases.  

The tax misses its mark because it assumes that high cost health plans have rich benefits.  It does not recognize what we know to be true:  the cost of health plans is heavily influenced by the age of the covered workforce and retirees, the proportion of covered dependents, the health status of the covered population, and the cost and practice patterns in the markets covered.  

In order to avoid the additional financial burden of the 40 percent tax, many employers will be compelled to make significant changes in their benefit plans.  Some predictable changes would be to cut back on dental and vision coverage, increase out of pocket payments by employees, and reduce family coverage.  Further reductions in retiree coverage are also a certain result.  

These two significant issues would likely have the unintended effect of discouraging the provision of employer-sponsored health coverage, thereby undermining one of the goals of health reform legislation and placing more of the cost and burden of providing this vital coverage onto the federal government.  

As the legislation moves forward, we hope to work with you and your colleagues to ensure that health reform legislation extends health insurance coverage to millions of people who do not currently have coverage and guarantee that most Americans will have access to quality, affordable coverage.  At the same time, we hope to assure that reform does not jeopardize the coverage that millions of Americans rely on to meet their health care needs. 

Sincerely,

Larry Cohen, President CWA
Edwin D. Hill, President IBEW
Ivan G. Seidenberg, Chairman and CEO, Verizon
Randall L. Stephenson, Chairman, CEO and President, AT&T Inc.