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Aug 24, 2010 (12:39:32)

CWA District 1 Reaches a Tentative Agreement with AT&T

August 19, 2010

CWA members' solidarity during 18 long months of bargaining paid off Wednesday night in Connecticut when Local 1298 reached a tentative agreement with AT&T that includes job protection language the company had refused to include earlier.

"We hung tough, the membership hung tough, we had the support of national, and AT&T knew it and finally realized that 'we're not going to get these guys to move,'" Local 1298 President Bill Henderson said.

The two tentative contracts, one for nearly 3,400 core employees and the other for 176 yellow page workers, are the last in the round of bargaining that CWA and AT&T began at tables nationwide in 2009. Ratification ballots will be sent to members on Monday and must be returned by Sept. 7.

Both of the 1298 agreements require AT&T to keep at least 84 percent of the represented jobs in Connecticut. "It's not everything we wanted, but it's big for us and we can build on it in the future," Henderson said.

CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton praised the negotiating team. "The bargaining committee stayed focused and devoted themselves to getting a just contract for the members and I thank them, my assistant Dennis Trainor and Staff Representative Pat Telesco for their work and dedication," he said.

CWA / AT&T Video Services

Aug 15, 2010 (20:04:00)

AT&T Video Services, Inc. Ratification Results

August 13, 2010

On August 13, 2010 the AT&T Video Services, Inc. contract ratified by a 96% yes vote.

CWA / AT&T Video Services

Aug 10, 2010 (18:55:00)

CWA/AT&T Video Services, Inc. Tentative Agreement

August 10, 2010

CWA/AT&T Video Services has reached a tentative agreement. Based on the information that was received from the Company at the Bargaining Table pertaining to the workloads that will be decreasing significantly over the next several months; CWA has negotiated a Contract Extension along with Memoranda of Agreements which will give all Video Services employees a pathway to continue their employment with AT&T should they elect to do so. We believe that the following Tentative Agreement includes language that will protect the best interest of our CWA members.

Your Bargaining Committee unanimously recommends this agreement for ratification.

In Lasting Unity,

Sylvia J. Ramos, CWA Bargaining Chair - Staff Representative

Stephanie Collier, CWA Staff Representative

Matthew Hite, CWA Local 6215 District Stewart; Customer Services Tech

Highlights of the Contract Extension and MOA:

· Extend current contract through June 30, 2011, which includes a 2.5% wage increase to be effective August 22, 2010. The wage schedules for each job title will be modified to reflect this increase, exponentially.

· Retroactive Wages, if applicable, will be paid to employees on the payroll as of the date of ratification as soon as practicable after ratification.

· Contract extension will include the National Transfer Plan, once in place.

· Improved Layoff and Severance Language

· Extension of all Memoranda of Agreements

· $250.00 Signing Bonus - Upon Ratification. Contract must be ratified by noon Friday, August 13, 2010.

· Health Care Benefits - Employees who remain on the Video Services Inc. payroll will continue with same medical coverage until the June 30, 2011 expiration of contract.

· CWA Representative to act as an employee Liason to deal with issues or concerns throughout the transition process.

· Letter of Agreement for Headend Technician, Customer Service Technician and Data Support Technician.

· Memoranda of Agreement that will allow every Video Services employee to transfer to Internet Services or AT&T Corporation once test qualified.

· Transition Payments for employees placed into an AT&T/CWA bargaining unit, which results in a downgrade in pay.

UNITED WE BARGAIN...............................

DIVIDED WE BEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CWA / AT&T Video Services

Aug 10, 2010 (18:50:45)

CWA/AT&T Video Services 2010 Bargaining Report #5

August 10, 2010

Both Bargaining Committees met this morning to continue negotiations. We are close to a Tentative Agreement that will include job opportunities for each employee in the bargaining unit. Details will be made available as they develop.

STAY STRONG!!!! STAY UNITED!!!!

SIGN A NON-MEMBER TODAY!!!!

CWA / AT&T Video Services

Aug 10, 2010 (18:49:52)

CWA/AT&T Video Services 2010 Bargaining Report #4

August 6, 2010

During negotiations, Company representatives have made clear to the Union workloads will continue to decrease significantly over the next several months. Based on the seriousness of this information, the focus on negotiations is now directed on how to place employees in different positions within AT&T companies over the next several months. We will continue to update you as information becomes available. The Bargaining Team appreciates your continued support.

STAY STRONG!!! STAY UNITED!!! CONTINUE YOUR MOBILIZATION!!!

CWA / AT&T Video Services

Aug 06, 2010 (14:26:57)

CWA/AT&T Video Services 2010 Bargaining Report #3

August 5, 2010

The CWA Bargaining Committee would like to thank all Video Services members in District 6 for wearing RED today in support of the continuous negotiations. We would also like to remind you to wear BLACK tomorrow and every Friday thereafter until we reach a fair and just contract. Both the Company and Union continue to work diligently on proposals for consideration. We are hopeful to have a package from the Company by sometime tomorrow, no later than Monday. Upon review, we will post an updated report.

KEEP THE FAITH!!! UNITED WE BARGAIN ... DIVIDED WE BEG!!!

CWA / AT&T Video Services

Aug 04, 2010 (11:52:37)

CWA/AT&T Video Services 2010 Bargaining Report #2

August 3, 2010

The Bargaining Committee is awaiting responses to questions posed to the Company during the initial bargaining session. Once the Company has answers we will reconvene. The Bargaining Committee is continuing to review and assess the documentation provided thus far by the Company.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE!!!

WEAR RED ON Thursday WEAR BLACK ON Friday

In Solidarity,

Your CWA Bargaining Committee

CWA / AT&T Video Services

Aug 04, 2010 (11:51:32)

CWA/AT&T Video Services 2010 Bargaining Report #1

August 2, 2010

The Union and Company met today to discuss goals and objectives as well as a timeline for bargaining. The Union stated the major concerns of the bargaining unit are Job Security, Defined Transfer Process, and Protection/Improvements on Healthcare. After the Union presented our remarks the Company followed. The next few days will be spent reviewing data and information the Union had previously requested. The next meeting is scheduled tentatively for Thursday, August 5, 2010.

CWA / AT&T Internet Services

Jul 23, 2010 (08:24:12)

Tentative Agreement Reached for 5,000 at AT&T Internet Services

July 22, 2010

CWAs ATT Internet bargaining team reached a tentative agreement with AT&T Internet Services covering 5,000 workers in Districts 3, 4, 6 and 9. The agreement, reached July 21, improves pay and benefits, strengthens the grievance and arbitration process, and provides Internet workers with the same transfer and bidding rights as other AT&T workers have.

Under the proposed three-year agreement, some 4,000 Customer Assistants, the largest work group at ATT Internet, will be covered by a new quarterly cash award plan. Awards will range from $100-$500 per quarter for CAs with less than two years seniority, to $150-$700 per quarter for CAs with more than two years service. Based on seniority, annual potential awards would total $2,000 or $2,800.

Awards take effect when workers meet a minimum of two of five attainable standards, unlike some industry plans with unreasonable and unreachable standards. CAs will also receive a $300 lump sum in 2011 and a 2 percent wage increase in 2012.

Customer Assistants also won full participation in the Success Sharing Plan and now are eligible for tuition aid. They had been excluded from these benefits before.

Tier II workers will receive annual wage increases of 2.75 percent, 2.25 percent and 2.5 percent over the contract term.

To offset some health care cost increases for Tier II workers, AT&T Internet will phase in those costs over three years and provide Tier II workers with an additional $1,200 payment at ratification.

A $500 ratification bonus will be paid to all Tier I and Tier II workers if the agreement is ratified by August 20.

The bargaining team unanimously recommended ratification of the agreement. This tentative agreement shows the value of having a union during the worst of times, said Executive Vice President Annie Hill, who heads CWAs Telecom office. We were able to make economic gains for all ATTIS workers, thanks to members strong support for their bargaining committee.

A final bargaining report will be presented to Local Presidents at the CWA convention next week, and contract explanation meetings will be held by Locals, followed by membership ratification.

CWA / AT&T Internet Services

Jul 23, 2010 (08:23:24)

AT&T Internet Services Bargaining Report #26

July 21, 2010

CWA and AT&T Internet Services reached a tentative agreement late last night. Details will follow.

In Unity,

Your CWA Bargaining Team

CWA / AT&T Internet Seervices

Jul 23, 2010 (08:22:33)

AT&T Internet Services Bargaining Report #25

July 20, 2010

The full committee met last night for further discussion on healthcare and will continue talking today. While we have reached agreement on some important issues, the issues of healthcare and wages still need to be resolved.

Please continue to support your Bargaining Team during these difficult negotiations.

In Unity,

Your CWA Bargaining Team

MOBILIZE MOBILIZE MOBILIZE

CWA / AT&T Internet Services

Jul 23, 2010 (08:21:42)

AT&T Internet Services Bargaining Report #24

July 19, 2010

The Union Committee is working with our CWA leadership and research department to determine our options at this point regarding the remaining issues of Benefits and Wages. We continue to talk informally with the Company in an attempt to plan for further formal negotiations.

Meanwhile, we are working without a contract.

This information will be updated as conditions warrant.

In Unity,

Your CWA Bargaining Team

MOBILIZE MOBILIZE MOBILIZE

CWA / AT&T Internet Services

Jul 23, 2010 (08:20:50)

AT&T Internet Services Bargaining Report #23

July 19, 2010

The Union and Company are continuing informal discussions regarding benefits, wages, and other wage related concerns.

As of this report, no progress has been made. We continue to work without a contract and will update this information later today.

In Unity,

Your CWA Bargaining Team

STAND STRONG!

CWA / AT&T Internet Services

Jul 23, 2010 (08:20:06)

AT&T Internet Services Bargaining Report #22

July 17, 2010

The bargaining committee continues to meet with the company. Although we’ve made progress on a number of our issues we still have a long way to go on some of our larger issues - Health Care and Wages.

Employees are expected to report to their normally scheduled tours until further notice. The contract expired at midnight tonight and at that point we will be working without a contract.

Your bargaining committee will continue discussions throughout the night. This bargaining report will be updated as conditions warrant.

Please remember your Bargaining Team

In Unity,

The Bargaining Team

CWA/ AT&T Internet Services

Jul 23, 2010 (08:19:28)

AT&T Internet Services Bargaining Report #21

July 17, 2010

Today the Union met with the Company (the last official day of contract bargaining before expiration). We will continue to meet throughout the day.

The Union has requested clarification on the flexibility to utilize personal days off and absence time.

The Union and Company approved a tentative agreement to our Grievance and Arbitration article. However, the Company has yet to respond to several Union Proposals, and today they passed another retrogressive benefit proposal that takes Tier 2 employees to the Tier 1 Management Plan.

As we continue to meet throughout the day we are fighting for our Rights to have better wages, Benefits, and Job Security. Continue to Support your CWA Bargaining Committee!

In Unity,

The Bargaining Team

MOBILIZE!!! MOBILIZE!!! MOBILIZE!!!!