News

CWA/AT&T Bargaining Update

The contracts, which cover over 22,000 members at AT&T Southeast, Utility Operations, & AT&T Southeast Billing have expired, with many critical issues including; job security, wages, healthcare, and others yet to be resolved.  Our bargaining team has made significant progress on several issues that are important to our membership and we believe that reaching an overall tentative agreement is possible. 

 

Tell Verizon to Reinstate Martin Hopkins

Martin Hopkins faced years of racist comments from managers and customers at the Verizon Wireless store where he worked in Lancaster, Ohio.

When customers called him racial slurs and refused to be served by him, management would send Martin to the back of the store.

Martin once complained to a manager that it was too hot in the store and was told, “Deal with it. You could be outside breaking rocks.” One manager would call Martin a “thug,” and said, “I would be afraid to run into Martin in a dark alley.”

You Refer

A new you Refer challenge starts on Thursday, August 1st.  For every valid referral submitted during the challenge which runs from August 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019, the employee will receive an entry into a weekly participation random drawing.  Six winners will be randomly selected to receive a $100 award on their my Rewards debit card.  In addition, for each valid referral submitted that closes with sales credit by October 15, 2019, the employee will receive an entry in the grand prize random drawing.  Six winners will be randomly selected to receive a 55” 4K UHD Smart TV or $1

Home Garage

As you know, the Company notified District 3 on June 25, 2019 that we would be suspending Home Garaging under Section 4.10 of the Network Addendum – UFO effective August 2, 2019.  Due to the hard work and commitment to obtain an agreement on time between our teams, we are going to pause on the effective date of the suspension, even though the 30 day notice has already run.   However, it may be necessary to suspend at a later date should our talks break down.  If so

Line Station Transfer Arbitration Ruling - Union Won

Regarding the hearing conducted March 7, 2019 – Wire Technicians Performing Line Station Transfers - arbitrator James J. Odom, Jr. ruled in favor of the Union. The arbitrator stated the Union demonstrated “preciseness” in negotiations related to the Wire Technician scope of work and the Company did not carry its burden of proof.

Please see the full Arbitration Opinion and Award attached. 

Wire Tech Surplus Arbitration Ruling - Union Lost

In a disappointing award, arbitrator Robert B. Moberly denied the Wire Tech Surplus grievance that was heard May 29, 2019. The arbitrator ruled that the language of the Addendum did not require layoff of Wire Technicians by seniority, but instead authorized the Company to establish a process for layoff.  The arbitrator also ruled that while it is true the Company did not utilize attendance and performance policies and standards that applied in other contexts, the “process” applied was neither arbitrary nor irrational.

Contract Expiration BBQ

Town Hall - Core Bargaining

On Friday 08/02/2019 at 7:00 PM Eastern | 6:00 PM Central, the CWA District 3 Office will be hosting a town hall conference call with CWA members across District 3 to provide an update on contract negotiations with AT&T.  We will also be taking questions directly from CWA members.  Below, I have listed a link where you can pre-register for the call.  Please note that by pre-registering, we will call you.  The agenda for this call is also listed below: