CWA Local 1301 Collective Bargaining Agreement Available For Download
| Submitted by superuser on Thu, 04/05/2007 - 6:07pm.
Breaking News
The Collective Bargaining Agreement for CWA Local 1301 has been uploaded to the site, please download and copy for your reference, hopefully we will have the printed binded versions in our hands momentarily.
Membership Meeting for Locals 1301 and 1302 to be held this Saturday at the Boston Teacher's Union Hall, 180 Mt. Vernon St., Boston
THIS MEETING IS CRITICAL TO OUR FUTURE! BE THERE! THANK-YOU! CWA Local 1301 Bargaining Team
URGENT UPDATE !!! ANNUAL MEETING SATURDAY OCTOBER 4TH Location: Florian Hall (Firefighter's Union),55 Hallet St., Dorchester, MA. 02124. Time: 8:00AM Check-In
Our annual meeting and elections will be held on Saturday October 4th at 8:00am, we need every member to attend, There is a strong possibility that we will be voting on the ratification of a new contract on this day, it is imperative that every member attend the meeting to be allowed to vote on the contract, Brothers & Sisters we need your support on this, our collective bargaining agreements when ratified will determine our incomes, our benefits & our livelihood for the years to follow, it is critical that every member makes it to the meeting. We realize the fight that everyone has gone through over the past year, it has been a rough road for all of us but through it all we continue to fight, you have showed us incredible support and cooperation along the way. Thank you for all you have done to support us. In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team
VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE
Yesterday CWA District One and IBEW 2213 met with Idearc Labor Relations at CWA Headquarters in New York City. Discussions were held regarding going back to the bargaining table. Conversations were positive and both sides will be getting together later this week to discuss resuming formal negotiations. It has always been the Union’s objective to get a fair and equitable agreement for the members of CWA 1301, 1302 and IBEW 2213. Your bargaining team realizes that this has been a difficult time for everyone. We thank you for your support and solidarity. Hope to see many of you at the meeting on Saturday. In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team
Update Tuesday, March 18th MEETING/RALLYTo Support Idearc Workers & Retirees Saturday March 29th 10:00AM Location: Boston Teachers Union Hall 150 Mount Vernon St. Boston, MA(Directions on Mapquest) FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS !!! • Good Jobs • A Secure Future • Respect If We Don’t Stand Up For Ourselves No One Else Will !!! ALL CWA 1301/1302 Members & Retirees Are Encouraged To Attend Invited Guests Include: • Various Politicians • MASS AFL-CIO • Jobs With Justice • Friends Of Labor
Please Stay Strong, Stay United & Stay Mobilized In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team
URGENT! EMERGENCY MEMBERSHIP MEETING! This Saturday, November 17th @10am Promptly! Location: Carson Place (Boston Teacher's Union Hall) 180 Mt. Vernon St. Dorchester, MA 617-288-3322 Bargaining Update - November 13, 2007 On Wednesday, November 7th you received an e-mail message from Georgia Scaife, VP of Idearc Human Resources letting you know the company is implementing their most recent proposal from September 18, 2007. - The CWA feels it is important for our members to understand what the company has actually proposed and what the Union has proposed as counters to Idearc’s demands for huge give backs on everything in the existing Collective Bargaining Agreements with CWA Locals 1301 and 1302 and IBEW Local 2213. Over the past few months of bargaining the Union has exchanged multiple proposals with Idearc in an attempt to get a fair contract. - At an August 29th bargaining session, the Union gave Idearc a proposal which is available to you on this website. It is a comprehensive proposal for addressing the main issues for wage increases for non-commission employees, a sales compensation plan, health and other benefits, pensions, job security language. - After 3 weeks, Idearc, on September 18th, sent their counter-proposal via e-mail to Dennis Trainor, CWA Bargaining Chairperson. Idearc’s proposal did not meet any of our needs with the exception of the sales proposal, which was still missing key items that the company had told us verbally that we could have. We met with the company again on October 10th and 11th. On October 30th, CWA met with Idearc in Washington, D.C. to discuss pension issues. We are also posting Idearc’s September 18th proposal to us along with the Job Security draft language that they gave to Dennis October 30th. - We reconvened bargaining in Middleton, MA on November 5th in hopes of reaching an agreement. A session was held on job security where we asked the Company bargainers several questions on the job security document Idearc Chairperson Peter Konrad gave to Dennis on October 30th. At that meeting the company said they understood our concerns and said they would work on language to address our issues and get back to us. That same day we passed the company a proposal on health care (it is also posted here); which the company failed to respond to and we also met with the Sales Bargaining team to discuss the proposal in relation to what the company has been implementing over the past few weeks. - Clearly we were still bargaining when the company declared impasse. Here are a few of the important points:
Attached to the site are some of the recent proposals that have been listed below, they can be accessed by LOGGING IN to the site and on the HOME PAGE left hand column under "MY GROUPS" click on "MEMBERS" Link, and you will see a new file uploaded last night marked files for 11/13/2007 Update, please SAVE the files from that location to your computer so that they can be opened, the files are not opening correctly when you simply click the OPEN function, the files have been numbered to correspond with the numbers below:
Stay Strong !!! Stay United !!! CWA Local 1301 CONTRACT UPDATE - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH, 10:00PM
CONTRACT UPDATE-TUESDAY,OCT. 9th 10:00pm There are no formal bargaining sessions scheduled with the company at this time. The Union is still has information requests out to the company and we are working on analyzing the information they have provided. As we stated before, we feel we have made progress on the Sales issues, but there can be no agreement until all issues, including the pension and healthcare are resolved. In response to the Company’s unilateral changes to our current contract without Union approval, we are continuing on with our Labor Board charges against the Company. The National Labor Board deposed the Union on Tuesday, September 25th. We expect a response from the Board by the end of October, whether they feel our charges warrant a formal hearing. Our CWA leaders, as well, our legal representation, feel confident we will prevail. In the meantime, if the Company breaks the current contract in any area we need to grieve each and every incident immediately. As previously posted, if any manager demands you do something, even if you feel it is in violation of the contract, politely inform management you disagree, inform your Union Representative, and they will file a grievance. DO NOT be insubordinate. We currently do not have arbitration rights and do not want anyone to be terminated. To those who have been inquiring about benefits enrollment, we have no information to share are this time, Please stayed tuned to the website for more information. Please, would everyone be diligent in keeping up with your Union dues to your Area Rep. These are critical and expensive times, it is essential that every single member contribute their fair share. Thank you again, to those offices that have made a terrific effort in keeping up with dues payments. Also, thank you to all those Union members who have the ungrateful task of collecting dues. Those offices that have not been as diligent please get your dues paid up immediately. We continue to ask every member to remain MOBILIZED, UNIFIED & SOLID! WORK TO RULE! That is, work to the exact content of the current contract. Keep in mind; these are sensitive and critical times. Remain cool and collected. We will ultimately prevail if every single member remains on board. We will update this website immediately when further information is available. Than you so very much for all of your support! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team Update – Friday, September 14th, 10:30am The Company, which had notified us as to problems (sales results and benchmarking) specifically in the Boston Market, has decided to go ahead with their plans without Union approval. During our meetings with the Company the last week of August, we indicated our willingness to work together to resolve the issues, as we have always done. Including, putting forth our best efforts in trying to come to agreement on a new contract. As previously posted, we left the Company with a comprehensive proposal. However, the Company, in an incredible show of arrogance and complete disregard for our Labor Agreement, has decided, without our approval, and, before answering our proposal, to enact their plans anyhow. The Company plans to: 1.) Change eligibility criteria for receiving reassigned accounts. Basically, giving the work to more reps even if they’re not qualified. 2.) Discontinue assigning additional incoming new installs to these bargaining unit employees. 3.) Move unsold news and nons and prorated revenue accounts to the TCC and other units. 4.) Outsource accounts identified in the above. 5.) Deploy management employees to complete the work. Obviously, all of the above are in total violation of our current Labor Agreement. We will be grieving each and every incident, in every area and campaign (we anticipate the Company continuing these actions in other areas) where the Company continues to violate our contract. More importantly, CWA International, in conjunction with our attorneys, has already filed unfair labor charges against the Company with the National Labor Relations Board. In the meantime we are asking each and every one of you to remain mobilized and to WORK TO RULE. That is, work to the letter of our current contract. This is extremely important! It is critical that we remain unified and solid, that everyone participates. However, it is of extreme importance that no one is insubordinate to any management employee. If you are ordered to do something in violation of the contract, and your manager insists, inform them politely you disagree, but, do it, inform your Union Rep, and grieve it. We will include every incident in our Labor Board charges. Please, these are critical and sensitive times, remain cool and collected. Stay SOLID, UNIFIED and MOBILIZED! Any questions see your Area Rep. We will update this website immediately when further information is available. In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining TeamUpdate- Monday, September 10th, 12:00pm The Union is still waiting for the Company’s response to our comprehensive proposal we gave them Wednesday, August 29th. There have been a few phone calls between Dennis Trainor and Peter Konrad, but no official response. The Executive Board has decided to postpone the September Annual Meeting. We anticipate a membership meeting to discuss the contract, hopefully, in the very near future. This meeting will serve as our annual meeting. It has come to my attention that several members are lax in paying their Union dues. Please, write a check for dues payment through September 15th, and submit to your Area Rep ASAP. With all normal expenses, as well, bargaining expenses, it is more important than ever to keep up with our finances. Any member not fully paid up on their dues will not be allowed a vote towards contract ratification. We need everyone to contribute. Everyone benefits from the contract. Thank you, to all of you who have been so efficient in submitting your dues. Also, thank you to the Union Reps who have the thankless task of collecting the dues, and, a special thanks to our extraordinary Secretary/Treasurer, Debi Silverman, for all of her efforts. Thank you, so very much, to all of the members who contributed to the Defense Fund. Your generosity is more then appreciated. We collected approximately $20,000. The monies are being used to help support our four brothers that were terminated the beginning of July. The Company is using these four members as bargaining pawns. It is critical, not only for the welfare of our brothers, but, to demonstrate to the Company our solidarity and unionity, to continue to assist these members. Anyone who has not contributed as of yet, or, anyone wishing to make further contributions, all donations are extremely welcome. Again, our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have generously contributed. The Cancer Walk is being held again this year at the U Mass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Although we won’t be holding a meeting this year we urge as many of you as possible to come and walk. The events begin at 10AM and the walk begins at noon. As most of you know this is our number one charitable cause. We support this most worthwhile cause in memory of Allan Costa, son of our brother and dear friend, Gerry Costa. Although these are very difficult times for all, we urge you to make any contribution you can afford, and pass it along to your Union Rep. Thank you in advance. Further information regarding bargaining will be posted as soon as it is available. Please, it is more important then ever to remain SOLID and UNIFIED! Keep up the MOBILIZATION! Any questions see your Area Rep. THANK YOU! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team Update - Wednesday, August 29th 10:00pm The Union & The Company spent the past 2 days meeting in Middleton. The Union presented a Complete Package to the company. The Company reviewed the package, but requested time to bring it back to Dallas to completely analyze it. The meetings were positive & the Union hopes these lead to further discussions in the near future. Nothing further scheduled at this time. Any additional information will be updated when available Please Continue to remain solid and unified !!!! Continue to Mobilize !!!! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team Update - Tuesday, August 28th 10:00am The Union & the Company have entered exploratory conversations specifically regarding Sales Performance, Pacing, Re-Assigned Work, Etc... The goal is that these conversations might lead to an agreement of an overall contract. Any further information will be displayed as it comes in. Please Remain Solid & Unified. Continue to Mobilize In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team Update- Monday, August 6th 2:30pm BARGAINING At this point there has been no movement on the Local or Regional tables, there are currently no scheduled meetings. We will keep you updated when further information is available. BOSTON RALLY Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the rally in Boston on 8/2/07 Although it was primarily for the Telco it was a great networking opportunity for Networking with all of the locals in IBEW & CWA. MA.. AFL President Bobby Haynes and our own V.P., Chris Shelton. were in attendance as well. DEFENSE FUND In the past few weeks since the termination of our 8 Members on July 13th we have heard the appeals and as a result we were able to save the jobs of 3 of our Brothers & Sisters, however 4 of our Brothers & Sisters remain terminated at this time. The defense fund we established was set up for these members, as a sign of the strength of our solidarity. We would like to thank all of the members who have donated already and if you have not yet given please do so, we can't let the company use any of our members as pawns to will us into a regressive contractual agreement. The donations are as follows: Premise - $125.00 Minimum Senior Tel - $75.00 Minimum Tel Sales - $50.00 Minimum DUES With our contract coming to an end on 6/23/07, although we still retain all of the benefits from our current contracts one of the changes we have experienced is the deduction of our Union dues directly from our paychecks. At this time it is important that we all keep up to date with our union dues. The designated Area Reps & Stewards in your area will be collecting this dues on a Bi-Weekly to Weekly basis, we are trying to establish a PayPal system on the website in the meantime please make sure all of your dues are being paid up to date. We realize there hasn’t been an update to the website in some time, we will try our best to keep you all as thoroughly informed as possible, at this time it is imperative that we stick together, that we show our solidarity, Mobilization plans have been put in place and will be communicated to each of you through your Area Reps, Stewards and Officers if they haven’t already, please remember a statement that Dennis Trainor had made “This is a Marathon, NOT A Sprint”, this is the time for us to remain strong and hold our ground and take the necessary steps to secure our future. WE ARE UNION, WE ARE STRONG! UNLIKE THE COMPANY, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN! REMAIN SOLID! REMAIN UNITED! TOGETHER, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Update- Friday, July 13th 6pm This afternoon the Company terminated eight of our brothers and sisters due to failure of the standards plan. Further, an additional eleven members were informed of their failures, but were saved due to the cap on the plan. As all of you heard the other evening at the meeting in Peabody, it is absolutely our feelings that these individuals are being used as pawns in contract negotiations. It is more important than ever to be mobilized! Remain united! Stay strong! We are requesting everyone to work to the contract. If you have any questions, ask your area rep or steward. Doing this will be very difficult at times. Remember what Dennis Trainor told us the other evening, "this is a marathon, not a sprint." It will probably get much worse before it gets better. Remain strong and we will get through this. In the spirit of unionism and protecting all of our brothers and sisters, we are asking that every member contribute to our Defense Fund in support of our terminated brothers and sisters. There is no greater sign of being part of a Union, being strong and being mobilized, than supporting those brothers and sisters. How are these brothers and sisters any different from those that were previously terminated? This is our answer: the timing of these terminations during contract negotiations, that these members are absolutely being used as pawns so that we might accept a severely diminished contract, and that some of the members previously terminated did utilize our defense fund. We are asking that every member make a minimum donation. Additional donations will be gratefully accepted. The minimum donation is: $125.00 for Premise, $75.00 for SrTel, and $50.00 for Telephone Sales. Your check should be made out to: "CWA Local 1301 Defense Fund", and given to your area rep/steward. Our Treasurer, Debi Silverman, will deposit all funds directly into the Local's separate Defense Fund account and will disburse funds to those terminated members. Obviously, any member for whom we are successful in winning an appeal for will not receive any funds. Please be as generous as you possibly can. These are our sisters and brothers. It could be any of us in their situation. WE ARE UNION, WE ARE STRONG! UNLIKE THE COMPANY, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN! REMAIN SOLID! REMAIN UNITED! TOGETHER, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team BARGAINING UPDATE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27TH, 12AM As you are all aware we are currently working without a contract. Basically, our current contract is intact, except, we do not enjoy arbitration rights. The Union is awaiting the Company’s’ response to our data requests. We need this data to do cost comparisons on the company’s economic proposals. We are not in formal bargaining sessions. The entire Union Bargaining team is going to New York City this Thursday and Friday for a number of reasons. Most importantly is to meet with CWA District One Vice President, Chris Shelton and his staff. Secondly, a rally of between five and ten thousand Union workers and supporters is being held at Verizon Company Headquarters. The main purpose of the rally is to stop the sale in Northern New England of the Telco. But, V.P. Shelton has asked President George Alcott to take the opportunity to speak of our plight. We are looking for all of our brothers and sisters in New York and throughout the Verizon footprint to support us. This is the perfect opportunity to begin to gather that support, as well, to get some press regarding our situation. We know these are anxious and frightening times. But, if WE ALL STAY UNITED, and, WE ALL STAY STRONG, we will prevail! It is more important at this time than any, to remain mobilized. WEAR RED ON THURSDAYS! WEAR BLACK ON FRIDAYS! We have had some terrific Friday afternoon rallys up in Middleton. There was a tremendous showing of support Friday evening at the Peabody Marriott, where the Company is training and housing a good number of contract workers. Great job by those in attendance! Keep up the good work! When further information is available we will get it out to you ASAP. At the earliest appropriate time we will have a membership meeting. STAY STRONG! STAY UNITED! HAVE FAITH IN YOUR LEADERSHIP! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Committee ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Bargaining Update- Saturday, June 24th - 12:45AM At this time no agreement has been reached. We are still miles apart on a number of issues An executive Board meeting has been scheduled for today at noon. Your E-Board Representative will be in contact with you with further information, as soon as available. Stay Mobilized !!!! Wear RED !!!!!! Black On Fridays !!!! Stay Strong !!!! Stay United !!!!! In Solidarity, CWA Local 1301 Bargaining Team _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Bargaining Update- Friday, June 22nd - 8:00PM At the local table the Union presented the company with a complete and comprehensive package covering all issues. We expect the company to take time in reviewing our proposal and respond back to us as soon as possible. Regionally the company has remained rigid regarding their regressive proposals. They have failed to move on one single issue. We have strong doubts as to whether the company is interested in reaching agreement. All indications point to them wanting us to strike. Stay Mobilized !!! Wear Red !!! Black On Fridays !!! Stay Strong !!! Stay United !!! In Solidarity, CWA Local 1301 Bargaining Team _________________________________________________________ Bargaining Update- Wednesday, June 20th - 7:00PM 3 DAYS TO GO!!! Local union Bargaining Team spent the entire day putting together a comprehensive response to the Company's regressive offer from yesterday. CWA Officials and benefit experts are putting the final touches on a comprehensive response to the Company's regressive proposal regarding our benefit plans. Stay Mobilized !!! Wear Red !!! Black On Fridays !!! Stay Strong !!! Stay United !!! In Solidarity, CWA Local 1301 Bargaining Team _______________________________________________________________________________ Bargaining Update- Tuesday, June 19th - 6:00PM The Company presented, pretty much, a complete package to the Union this afternoon. The Union is totally frustrated that the company completely ignores our needs, Yet, continues to make regressive proposals regarding their needs. The more we try to work with the company the more they demand. So frustrated and angry is the union team, we informed the company it would not be constructive to meet again until tomorrow AM. Stay Mobilized !!! Wear Red !!! Black On Fridays !!! Stay Strong !!! Stay United !!! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team _________________________________________________________________________________________ Bargaining Update Tuesday 6/19/07 Just Over 4 Days To Go !!! Local 1301 Bargaining Resumed yesterday in Middleton. The union is waiting on a company response regarding assignment of work. At the regional table, there has been no further discussions, nor movement on the company part. It is expected we will meet with the company sometime today. REGARDING THE RUMOR MILL. There has been a lot of concern regarding telephone sales. The rumor is the company is doing away with this channel. This is totally false. There has been absolutely no conversation regarding this matter at all. The fact is that the company is considering doing away with the call center in Dallas (TCC). But, This is not a definite either. Please, dispel all rumors. DEAL IN FACTS !!! When we have something factual to report we will. Stay Mobilized !!! Wear Red !!! Black On Fridays !!! Stay Strong !!! Stay United !!! In Solidarity, CWA 1301 Bargaining Team ____________________________________________________________________________
Bargaining Update-Friday, June 15th _____________________________________________________________________________ As you are all aware, the current contract has been extended through 11:59PM, Saturday, June 23rd. Please, do not look at this in a negative light. The fact is that the Union presented the Company with a comprehensive economic package that they need time to review. They stated they would need between 7 to 10 days, at which time formal discussions regarding the proposal will be conducted across the bargaining table. The fact that the Company at least wants to review the proposal is encouraging. They could have flat out rejected it. Secondly, there seems to be a lot of concern and confusion regarding our current standards program. The fact is there are 13 to 14 reps that could be terminated at the end of June or beginning of July under our current contract. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN! President Alcott has stated on numerous occasions that the Union will absolutely not let this happen! We must have a performance plan that gives these reps in jeopardy, as well as the rest of the sales force, a fair shot. If a formal contract can not be reached by June 23rd, we have but two options. One, an agreement with the company to negotiate forward, without terminating the reps in jeopardy, two, to strike before this occurs. We will not leave one single brother or sister behind! WE ARE UNION! We will do whatever it takes to protect each and everyone of our sisters and brothers! For these reasons we absolutely must remain mobilized; prepared to do what we must to protect our members and our rights. We must keep the Company aware that we are prepared to do everything and anything necessary towards protecting all of our sisters and brothers. Please continue to WEAR RED on Thursdays. WEAR BLACK on Fridays, (had a terrific rally outside of the Middleton building last Friday along with our sisters and brothers from CWA 1302.) Everyone wore black, please see the photos on this web site. Believe us, the Company took notice! The Company team has been back in Dallas this week preparing for the upcoming negotiations. Your Union team has been meeting all week as well, running data and preparing for the continuation of the formal negotiations next week. We expect to be sitting back down with the Company either Monday or Tuesday at the latest. President Alcott is back up and around and intends to be back at the bargaining table next week. STAY STRONG! STAY UNITED! WE WILL SURELY PREVAIL!!! ____________________________________________________________________________________ ONE WEEK TO GO! Bargaining has been suspended until Monday am. The company negotiators have gone back to Dallas for the weekend. At the local table, we continued to discusss sales compensation, assignement of work, sales channels, working guidelines... Although we have had some decent conversations, there are no agreements. We will be back at the table Monday am. Regionally, we remain miles apart from the company! The company's original proposal was basically to give up all of our bargained for benefits and go on the management plans. In all cases, the management plans are inferior to our current benefits. Of greater concern is that their proposal was not to guarantee any of these benefits! Any time during the contract they would reserve the right to diminish or even eliminate any of the benefit plans! This proposal was obviously inconscionable and outright disgusting! We, and others before us, have earned these benefits through hard fought negotiations, and when necessary, striking the company. Many of us were out for 17 weeks in 1989 over health care. The company backed down ever so slightly when they revised the original proposal. They proposed guaranteeing medical benefits for the life of the contract, but none of the benefits such as: short and long term disability, vision, dental, and tuition assistance. In addition, the medical proposal would severely diminish our current medical coverage, as well as call for some payment of premiums. Regarding the defined pension plan, the proposal currently on the table is to end it, along with the lump sum payout as of 12/31/07. In its place would be a slightly enhanced 401K. Obviously, we CANNOT AND WILL NOT, accept the Company's unacceptable proposals!
The company tells us that we are a new and smaller company. The market has changed and the competition is different. That we are no longer part of a large corporation, Verizon. Idearc is a smaller company. But, that does not mean that we are any less profitable. In fact, we could become more profitable as a stand-alone. For the year 2006, we publically reported net income of over $770 How can management be compensated so extravagently, yet when it comes to compensating the very people who are out on the street pounding the pavement doing all of the hard work to produce sales, the people who bring in all of the $$$$$, the very people who Ms. Harlis stated in the company's annual report are our greatest assets, we are supposed to recognize that we are a new and smaller company. This is regression; why should we accept regression based on the company's true circumstances???? The company states that they recognize and appreciate CWA Local 1301's long history. Yet, they make absolutely disgusting proposals that diminish everything that we have earned over many contract tables. Remember, every single benefit you currently enjoy was fought for by CWA. Not one single benefit item has been given to you by the company voluntarily. The word "flexible" is used time and again by the company. We have stated on numerous occasions that we are more than willing to be flexible. Yet, the company demonstrates zero flexibility. Their attitude is take it or leave it. On Thursday evening, May 24th, we held an informational meeting with our Executive Board. Pat Telesco, CWA Staff Rep and Chair of our bargaining team, and Bob Patrician, CWA benefits expert from Washington, DC, were both in attendance. Colin Pomroy, former CWA 1301 Executive VP, has agreed to become our mobilization coordinator. You will hear more regarding mobilization as the week progresses. Your Area Reps and Stewards will be distributing buttons that we are asking you to please wear all day, everyday. Wear them proudly. Management notices this display of strength and unification immmediately. If all of us continue to wear these buttons, they symbolize that we are and will remain united, that we are strong together, and that we will, each and every one of us fight to retain what we have fought so very hard and long over for over 50 years to obtain! In conjunction with the mobilizing, a strike authorization vote will be conducted by the middle of this week. Please, DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND, this is not calling for a strike. It permits our CWA International President, Larry Cohen, the authority to call for a strike, when and if he feels it necessary. This vote is critical. We need each and every member's support. This gives your bargaining team the ammunition to intimidate and put fear in to the heart of the company. Your Area Reps and Stewards will supervise the strike vote and will notify you regarding how the vote will be taken. As for a strike, it remains a possibility. We understand that it is certainly very frightening, especially to our newer members who have never experienced one. But always remember, WE ARE UNION! We take care of our own. Never has a member gone without food or shelter. CWA has a strike fund that each of us would participate in if needed. Regarding medical coverage, we are all insured through the end of any month that we went off the job. It is the company's call as to if and when they decide to discontinue coverage. After that, COBRA is available to cover any medical conditions that are not elective. We have up to 90 days after any incident to retroactively purchase COBRA. The premiums will be paid out of the CWA strike fund. We are in an intense battle with a company that says that they care and appreciate their employees, but all of their actions indicate just the opposite. We have fought too long and hard to give in to their insulting demands. We must stay strong and united! Together we will prevail! We need to show the company that if they force us we will fight back, and we will fight hard. If necessary, we will hurt the business. Remember who has the relationships with our customers, not the company or management, but each and every one of you! We will utilize these relationships if we need to. Please address any questions or concerns with your Area Reps and Stewards. If you have any ideas regarding mobilizing, please pass them on to your Union officials ASAP. These will be passed on to Colin. You can email in to Debi on this web site. At the appropriate time, a membership meeting will be held. Please do not listen to or conribute to the office rumor mill. Get the facts from your Union leadership and stay tuned to this web site. Office management would like you to think that they know what is going on and that they possess inside information; this is just not true. You have more factual information than your managers do. Please remain UNITED! Remain strong! WEAR RED EVERYDAY! DISPLAY YOUR BUTTONS! Management needs to know that we are all in this together and we will never, ever, ever back down! TOGETHER WE WILL WIN! In solidarity, CWA 1301Bargaining Team Posted by, Debra Silverman, CWA Local 1301 Secretary-Treasurer »
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