Officers Blog

UNIONS

2010-02-12T21:01:00.001-06:00

After meeting with the company this week and with staff our union is under attack like we have never experienced. We need to stress to our members more than ever how important it is that we are strong and united. In the end if we do not stand united and strong against AT&T we will not have good jobs and benefits, if we even have jobs. This past week has really upset me with this company more than I ever thought they could. We listened to Vice Presidents sit and say they know that they are violating our contracts and that is the direction the company is taking. At the same time letting us know that they have no control and are just about as disgusted with the company as we are. I really know after this week that the majority of them are doing what they are directed to do hoping to keep their jobs.

If you have not heard Yellow Pages did not ratify their contract. Our District 6 Staff advised us yesterday that the company is trying to stir up trouble leading these members to believe it is the unions fault. Many of these members are saying they do not want their bargaining committee negotiating for them, they apparently think they can negotiate with Randal Stephenson on their own... This is exactly what at&t wants and seems to be doing a good job at attempting to bust the union every chance they can. Members working at Yellow Pages are in the majority young members and we have apparently not done a very good job at teaching them what UNIONS can do.
We have members dropping out all over the district and country with each member that we lose it gets a little easier for AT&T to get just what they want. That seems to be employees that will work for little pay, no health care, no benefits, and willing to work seven days a week. It sounds like corporate America wants us to go back in time. It took us a century to get what we have. In the last decade we have allowed ourselves be knocked down. How much and how far will we have to be knocked down before our members and the American workers say I have had enough. American Labor Members over the years have fought, struggled, and lost lives to get us where we are and all we have to do is make a strong and united stance to keep it. It seems we are not willing to do that.

The strength that CWA has against the company is in the number of members we have and their strength to stand up against the company. We can’t and will not be able to win this fight without members standing up and saying we will be treated fairly. We have to set aside our differences and be union brothers and sister willing to help each other out. That is what it has taken over the years for us to have good pay, health care, benefits, and fair work practices. Companies have not just given these things to workers. Over the years we have lost sight of the fact that working together makes things better for us all. We have to stop thinking that we will keep what we have when American's all over our country are working for lousy pay, have no health care, no benefits, and work in sweat shops. Guess what they are willing to do our jobs as contractors making half of our pay, no benefits, and no health care because it is better than they have. And don't fool yourself into thinking AT&T will not take advantage of that they already are and we are allowing it.

To save our jobs we are all going to have to step up to the plate and fight not only for our jobs but fight to assure that American’s have jobs where they make a decent living and are treated fairly. How do we accomplish this, UNIONS did it in the past and can do it again if we are willing to be a UNION. When I say UNION that does not mean elected representatives it means ALL OF OUR MEMBERS. We have to start standing together and put our differences aside we have to be one. We have to keep our focus not on our differences but what we have in common the need for a job where we can make a good living and be treated with some respect.

contract

2009-09-08T11:19:00.003-05:00

I just returned from a well needed vacation. Before my vacation I was feeling pretty beat down but I am back and ready to fight for a fair and good contract. We are in the sixth month of bargaining and still no contract. Three others have contracts District 4 and 9 have already voted on their contract. The Legacy group ( the old at&t) has a tentative agreement. I still think they should have gone along with the deal no one signs until we all have a contract, but it didn't worked out that way. I don't know why they settled for the contracts they got members of those districts would have to tell us why. However, that does not mean that we have to settle for what they got. We deserve better than their contracts and need to continue the fight. Our bargaining committee is not ready to concede. They have made a commitment to continue bargaining until they feel they have got the best contract they can.
We have a lot of members that are maybe feeling like there is no sense in continuing the fight. Think about it, we have not really started fighting yet. Are we really ready to throw in the towel when all we have really done is wear colored shirts and pass out a few fliers. No one has lost any money and we are continuing to work under a better contract than the other districts got. We need to show the other districts that we are union strong and will do what has to be done. We should also be strong enough to at least put up a fight to keep what previous members fought to get us. Wages and benefits were not just given to us someone sacrificed for us to have them. They were gained through hard work and strikes in 1944, 1947, 1955, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1983, and 2004. How many were you a part of? Most of our members would have to say one in 2004. That strike was the second shortest ever most of them were for several weeks a few lasted months. If we are going to give up wages and benefits that so many fought and sacrificed for let us at least say we put up a good fight.
Our company is making record profits paying our wages and benefits I don't think they need to treat us like second hand citizens so that they can profit a few more million. The company has done a good job of dividing and conquering during this round of negotiations we need to pull back together. I want to keep my wages, benefits, pensions, and job securities, we should all be on board with that. If someone feels that we do not deserve these there are other jobs where you can get what you think you are worth. REMEMBER UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE BEG.

Weekly Visit-December 15, 2009

2008-12-15T11:58:00.003-06:00

In order to make this blog worth while there needs to be more interaction on our part. Well, this will begin my attempt to help with that in a post that I will call my Weekly Visit. It will be a good look at the issues that are before us and how those will be addressed. Encourage your friends and family to read so they are informed. We do not have the access the company does so this is about as close as we can come. I hope you enjoy it and please give feedback so we can make it better and share your opinions and thoughts so we will have a real idea of what people think.
The big issue of this week is the healthcare ruling from the arbitrator. As of this point we have not heard anything from the National or District offices. What we need to keep in mind is that once this comes down there will be very little that can be done about it. The Arbitrator has the final say on this matter and both sides will have to live with his/her decision for the period ho/she specifies. We will be getting that out to you as soon as we know something. Hopefully it will come with some explanation from the National office.
Another issue that may be somewhat under the radar is the pay issue arbitration that was heard in September. We have not heard from the District office as to how she ruled. I hope to have that information anyday. For those of you that may not be aware, this was the disput over the top pay and slotting used by the comapany for Customer Service Representatives. The company presented a different way than they are doing it at the bargaining table in February.
I want to take this oppurtunity to wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season. I will be back next week with more so stay tuned.

Thanks,

John Richie
Vice-President/Mobilty Unit
Local 6200

Strike Vote

2008-02-22T00:28:00.002-06:00

We have tallied our votes for our local and the results were 302 yes votes and 13 no votes. We had almost two thirds of our local membership at Mobility vote. All locals should have their results turned in before noon tomorrow. If all locals get their tallies turned in on time we should have the results Friday afternoon. As soon as I am notified the results will be posted here on our website.

STRIKE VOTE

2008-02-20T23:43:00.002-06:00

We had a union day at the call center today and was going to allow members to vote in the cafeteria. The company called late Tuesday aftermoon to advise me that they would not allow us to vote in the building. So we set up a table on the sidewalk out front and gave our members a chance to vote. We had approximately 200 members vote that is about half we need everyone else to vote. There will be a table on the sidewalk tomorrow if weather permits, members will also be able to vote at the union hall (3424 Barnett Rd). Our results have to be turned in to the District Office by Friday morning so make sure that your voice counts and vote.
It takes everyone supporting your bargaining committe to get a good contract. Remember the union is only as strong as it's members..
Dont forget our contract expires Sunday we are asking everyone to wear black tomorrow and Friday if management asks why tell them we are mourning the death of our contract.
UNITED WE BARGAIN DIVIDED WE BEG.....WE DON'T BEG.

Contract

2008-02-18T21:44:00.004-06:00

The district is asking for a strike vote to be done by Friday of this week. The reason is that the company is not willing to talk seriously at the table. They are proposing a very small raise and are not willing to discuss issues that our members felt was very important.
A yes vote does not mean we will go out on strike, it only gives our National Officers the authority to call a strike. Our officers do not have the right to call a strike without our members to vote giving them that right.
This is the time to step up and do what has to be done. Remember
UNITED WE BARGAIN DIVIDED WE BEG..
WE DONT BEG.....
I dont know about you but I dont want to have to beg the company for a fair contract...
If you have questions see a steward or officer.

Mobilization

2007-12-21T20:00:00.000-06:00

I just received this message.
Top level CWA & AT&T leaders met in San Antonio TX and agreed to resume bargaining immediately following the holidays with a goal of reaching new agreements for both AT&T Video Services and AT&T Internet no later than 1-11-2008.
CWA agreed we would cease hand billing of AT&T agent stores and Radio Shacks in a good faith effort to reach satisfactory agreements.
This is just proof that our mobilizing efforts do make an impact.
We all need to continue to wear red on Thursdays and black on Fridays.
Angela Guillory

2007-12-21T19:57:00.000-06:00

I just received this message.

Top level CWA and AT&T leaders meet in San Antonio TX and agreed to resume bargaining immediately following the holidays with a goal of reaching new agreements for both AT&T Video Services and AT&T Internet no later than 1-11-2008

2007-12-21T19:50:00.000-06:00

I just recieved this message and thought it was very interesting.

Top level CWA and AT&T leaders met in San Antonio TX and agreed to resume bargaining immediately following the holidays with a goal of reaching new agreements for both AT&T

Condolences

2007-10-26T21:38:00.001-05:00

We were sadden to hear that Local President Angela Guillory lost her father this past week. On behalf of the Local you have our most sincere condolences on your loss and our prayers are with you and your family during this time.

ATT Rally

2007-10-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

10-18-2007 CWA rallied AT&T headquarters in San Antonio, in support of our brothers and sisters at AT&T Internet and Video Services. Both are still working without contracts and the company is still not willing to discuss on health care any further. We had nine members from our local attend the rally. Chelsa Bilodeau, Karen Cook, Cheryl Dawson, Mark Hoffman, Robert Holst, Char Martelle, Jennifer Stewart, Paul Ward, and myself took our own time and drove down to participate in the rally. It was a long day leaving at 4:00am and getting home about 9:00pm but it was a great day. We met at the San Antonio union hall and marched to AT&T headquarters about 6 blocks away chanting. Once at headquarters we heard from speakers and then marched around the building a few times and returning to the union hall. Quoting Char "it was awsome to see members from all over District 6 there to support others members".
It does really make you realize that union is not just about watching out for ourselves however taking care of each other.
We all need to do what we can now to help our brothers and sisters, and show the company we will not stand for lousy contracts. We will not give away what has taken years to get in our contracts. Remember we are wearing red on Thursday and black on Friday. We will also be asking members to do other organizing activities, please participate. Remember it may not be us fighting for good contracts now but Mobility is going into negotiation's soon and Landline in 2009. What happens with the Internet and Video contracts will have a great impact on our negotiation's. Remember UNITED WE BARGAIN DIVIDED WE BEG....AND LOCAL 6200 DOES NOT BEG......

2007-09-27T21:56:00.000-05:00

Our brothers and sisters with At&t Video Services and At&t Internet Services are both currently working without a contract. Both have voted not to ratify tentative agreements. The company is going after their health care and pensions, this is unacceptable. Video Services has been back to the table with the company only to be told they will not discuss health care. There is a good chance they will be out on strike unless we put pressure on the company. Remember everything they do to union members in these contracts is what we will looking at in our contract negotiations. We will be asking our members to do some mobilization activities in the up coming weeks. It is very important that we participate in these activities, remember an injury to one is an injury to all. Check with your stewards and our local website to see what you can do to help.
Angela Guillory

2007-08-05T23:01:00.000-05:00

This is a very interesting story please visit the cwa secy treas site and watch the video. We will be discussing this at the next meeting.
Dear Colleagues:
Here is an updated report on the status of CWA's Milkshake Man Fund. You will recall that our "wounded warrior" Jim Mayer, a Vietnam veteran that lost both legs in that war, has been visiting the young wounded military returning from Iraq and Afghanistan at Walter Reed Hospital. Through his unique method of offering a milkshake to the young men and women, he has been able to open a dialog with many that speak to no one else ... neither family nor hospital staff. He has personally paid for the milkshakes. Last month he retired from the Outreach Dept. of the Veterans Administration and immediately joined the Wounded Warriors Project, a non-profit organization (www.woundedwarrior.org).
CWA is committed to supporting the Milkshake Man Fund and is asking each local to contribute $25.00. Checks should be made payable to: CWRC/Milkshake Man Fund and mailed to my attention.
To date, we have raised and forwarded to Jim, $5,345.00 from 77 locals ... many of whom have contributed more than the $25.00 requested. In addition, we have received individual contributions from CWA Executive Board members and Staff. If you have not done so, PLEASE take a minute to write the check today ... it is a small amount of time and money to give those who have given so much for us!
Many of you were able to "meet" the Milkshake Man through a video shown at the recent CWA Annual Convention. If you would like to view it or show it to your membership, you can go to www.cwa-secy-treas.org and click on Milkshake Man Fund. You can also arrange for your local to have the one-time $25.00 deducted from your monthly dues by using the same site.
Our contributions will also permit Jim to purchase small items he feels the wounded military women and men need/want and can't afford.
Finally, Jim has been hand-printing a 3x5 card that says: "Thank you for your service to America. Your milkshake compliments of the Communications Workers of America". We are now printing that card for him.
If you have any questions regarding this Fund, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. EasterlingSecretary-TreasurerCWA

Change in Incentive Plan for Q/A

2007-07-21T12:56:00.000-05:00

The company has changed the incentive plan they have put forward in relation to our Universal C&A/Analyst Review group. The amount of calls being monitored is now only 3. While most of you may think that is a good thing it causes some serious issues. The biggest issue is that a representative will have increased pressure to meet the end of the month objective for quality. One sub-standard call could mean not meeting the objective and could mean discipline. The second issue is that there is a disparagement of treatment with our brothers and sisters in collections. They are allowed to get more calls which could mean more money paid to them at the end of the month. It also allows more oppurtunity for the $25 pay out on the wave calls. Now I do not want this to be a sore subject between our members in RM and Universal C&A because that is what the company wants. What needs to happen is for our members to stand up and say that fairness and equality are not just words but actions we expect to be taken by the company. As a Union we have always objected to monitoring and one of the reasons we do object is because of what is stated above. I have spoken with many of you and you have said that the new criteria that you are being scored under is harsh and too subjective. You may have gotten scored well in previous months but then you have months that it is very difficult to meet the company's call quality standards. That is another reason why we object to monitoring. If you feel that this is wrong then you need to get with a Steward and see what action the Union can take to correct this issue. Keep in mind that you have rights against unfair practices of the company. We did not negotiate monitoring but we can discuss the incentive plan and how fairly or unfairly it is being administered. We can also discuss the extreme nature of the process the comapany is using to monitor.
If we do not stand up now, then when?

Website

2007-07-17T05:45:00.000-05:00

We are at the National Convention and our local has won several awards, of course we won our cope award for 48 years consecutive. We lead the district in most consecutive years. I am proud to say we won the best website award for District 6. Congrats and thank you to Paul Laughlin for doing such a wonderful job....It was also very nice that Paul was with the delegation this year and was able to accept the award on behalf of our local.
Thank you everyone for all the hard work you do that makes winning these awards possible. We have a local that everyone can be proud to say they are a member of...I sure am.
CONGRATS CWA LOCAL 6200.
Angela

Employee Free Choice Act

2007-06-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

As you know we are trying to get the Employee Free Choice Act passed and yesterday a vote was held in the Senate. In that vote we had 51 senators vote with the Labor Movement. However, it takes a vote of 60 to stop debate and move a bill to a full vote. While debate was not stopped the vote is a symbol that Washington hears us and a majority of the Senate as well as the House is with us. It is good news and progress, maybe we can have more progress in the near future.

Thanks,

John Richie

Speed Matters Results

2007-06-26T20:01:00.000-05:00

Follow the link below and see the results of the speed matters test. You can even break down to your zip code and see how many tests were done and the average speed.

http://www.speedmatters.info/map/working.html

Thanks you to all that participated. Hopefully this will help get some attention to speeding up the internet in this country and open up more good Union jobs.

Thanks,

John Richie

New Stewards and a Steward Army

2007-06-24T11:45:00.000-05:00

I would like to take this time to congratulate the following on completing 2 day Steward Training:

Alan Kjelstrom
Kelly Erwin
Dustin Lagunas
Chelsea Bilodeau
Pam Johnson
Tina Evans
Candice Phillips

Steward Army training was also this past Saturday (June 22, 2007) and went very well. We are looking forward to having another training session in August. This is not like the Steward training that the new Stewards went through but more of an activist and mobilization type training. We have a long way to go to get the contract we have been hearing everyone wanting and it will take each andf every member to be active.

Wireless Stat Objectives Changing..Again!?!?!?!

2007-05-31T07:36:00.000-05:00

We were informed by the company yesterday afternoon that the scores for availability are changing. RM Availability is changing from 87% to 89% and C&A(AR) is changing from 92% to 94%. This will take effect July 1st but you will notice the change in SRS June 1st. June will be the developmental month. With this change there is a positive change in the Repeat Call stat. The company will be starting to count repeat calls over a seven day period as opposed to everyday. We were not given any numbers on what that will be but the company promised to furnish that information as soon as they knew what it would be. You can expect an e-mail from the company on all of this on May 31 (today). Please let me know of any concerns you might be having by posting your comments below.

2007-05-23T19:14:00.000-05:00

Hey...I finally made it...you talk about taking foreverrrrrr, but that's the way it is with DIAL UP...why don't you guys place some cable out my way...Paul this is great and you've done a wonderful job on the website.
Cookie

2007-05-22T18:52:00.000-05:00

I would just like to say Thank You to Paul for doing such a great job!!! This is really cool!!! Thanks for all your hardwork and time to making everything look so great and work so well. Paul I have no provisioning orders to work!

Great Job

2007-05-22T06:53:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to say the Paul is doing a great job with the web page and you should tell him when you see him. Great Job Paul. Thanks for all the time and effort you put in.

2007-05-21T00:13:00.000-05:00

Hopefully everyone contacted their senators last week about the Employee Free Choice Act if you forgot please do so ASAP. This is so important to all of us. There is a link on the website that makes it really simple to do. If you have already done so please let an officer now so that we can report to national how many of our members partcipated. We need more now than ever to stand united and protect our jobs

2007-05-21T00:11:00.000-05:00

I would like to thank Paul for all the excellent work he has done on our website.

Welcome to the new Union Blog

2007-05-19T21:57:00.000-05:00

In an effort to help identify issues quicker and deal with the memberships issues our webmaster Paul Laughlin has put together this blog. I want to personally thank him on behalf of the Local officers and Executive board. We hope you find this tool useful and we have set to get updates to this blog as soon as you the member posts them.