President’s Report
March 10, 2014
Union Brothers and Sisters,
September 26, 2013
Union Brothers and Sisters,
The Election Committee counted all ballots received
on Wednesday September 25th.
For the Tentative Agreement
The Results came in with a 68%
NO VOTE!
32% YES VOTE!
These
results are only
for LOCAL 7019. Notification on the
ratification of this agreement will be sent out once all locals have reported in
with their numbers. All locals have until Friday September 27th
to report in. A communication will be sent out late Friday or Monday
September 30th.
I know we are all anxious to hear what the outcome will
be, so please be patient.
In Unity
Irene Robles
President
September 6, 2013
Union Brother and Sisters,
The Election Committee mailed ratification ballots on
September 4th.
If you have not received your ballot by the 13th,
call the hall at 602 331-7019
so a duplicate ballot can be mailed to you.
I can’t stress enough the importance of exercising
your right as a member and it is your obligation to VOTE!
As your President I
understand it would be an expectation of me to offer some thoughts and
opinions on this contract. Although I can share some of my thoughts, I
will not recommend to you how you should vote. The bottom line here is I
don’t like this contract any more than any of you, and yes I’m angry but not at
our CWA Bargaining Committee. I am angry at a company who preaches the
WORD of
their 7 Unifying principles and tries to brainwash us all with what they clearly
do not practice themselves. I’m an old school unionist and I believe in loyalty
and the old school values of what a union is. I support my union brothers and
sisters before me and who are with me today. The message that I desperately want
to relay to all of you as members of this local is that the fate of our UNION is
solely in your hands.
When negations first began the message was clear that
this would be an ugly fight. Well here it is, UGLY is staring us in the
face, but the ugly didn’t come from the bargaining committee. It came from
our employer who makes billions in profit and it is because of their greed that
won’t allow them to share the wealth with those of us who make that profit for
them every day on the job. So at this point I would like to stress the name
calling and finger pointing to our Bargaining Committee needs to stop.
At our membership meeting on
Wednesday night Reed Roberts was here to give us a readout. It was very
obvious that members are not happy with this contract as emotions were tense and
anger filled the room. Unfortunately, I am concerned not all
questions and concerns were addressed. Over the past few days we have been
receiving individual questions via email. We have responded to each
question individually. If you have any further questions and or concerns,
please send your email to:
dmcbride@cwa7019.org
at which point we will address your question and respond back.
Should it be this contract
is voted down and a strike is called then my expectation as your President is
that each one of you will HOLD THE LINE
with me for however long it takes and with no excuses. I have a lot of
years invested with this bell company and much is at risk as I’m sure most of
you do too, but I wouldn’t be here today and have what I have if it wasn’t for
my union. So my brothers and sisters let’s not turn on each other, the
company would want nothing more than to break us up. Shoulder to Shoulder
are you with me?
For those members asking “what happens if the agreement is not ratified”? Here are several alternatives under the law:
1.
If this Agreement is not ratified we would
request the two parties return to the bargaining table. Once the Tentative
Agreement is rejected, the provisions
outlined in the tentative agreement come off the table and we return to square
one to meet with the same people we had been meeting with for the last
11½ months. Both parties would have the
right to make new/different proposals.
2. The Company could take
the position prior to returning to the table that they are terminating the
current, extended contract. The Company could implement this
tentative agreement or selected portions of the agreement. Once the
contract has been terminated we lose the ability to arbitrate disputes that
arise after the termination of the contract.
3. The Company could lock
us out.
4. We could strike.
If we went on strike, it would be classified as an economic strike meaning we
could be permanently replaced.
Again it is imperative every member vote. Vote yes
or vote no. The decision is in your hands now.
In Unity,
Irene Robles
President
CWA Local 7019
July 31, 2013
Union Brothers and Sisters,
At
8:30 pm Tuesday July 30th,
all Local Presidents were notified to jump on a conference call for a Bargaining
Update. Mary Taylor, Vice President District 7 made the announcement that
CWA and CenturyLink came to a tentative 5 year agreement. This was great news
to hear after eleven and half months. The contract will run from
October 7th, 2012 thru October 7, 2017 making it a 5 year contract.
I would like to share my thanks along with Mary, to the
bargaining committee, for their commitment and sacrifice in getting this JOB
DONE. To the bargaining Co-Chairs Reed Roberts and Jay Boyle for keeping
the committee focused. To our legal counsel Richard Rosenblatt. And
to our members and retirees, we could not have done this without your Unity,
Support and Patience. “IT TAKES ALL OF US".
Over the next few days the committee will be working on
putting details in order at which point that information will be communicated to
all of the locals. I know that there are many questions and rumors
that are circulating out there. Please try to not get caught up with what
you are hearing right now. We are all very anxious to read the details of
the tentative agreement. There will be time to get your questions answered
before the contract ratification ballots are sent out.
We will be holding membership meetings to answer any
questions. The times and locations will be announced at a later time.
So please watch your emails, and bulletin boards.
I will urge you all
at this time if you have moved please call the hall and update your mailing
information so that you can exercise your VOTE when ballots are ready to be
mailed out. The hall number is 602 331-7019.
TOMORROW IS THURSDAY WEAR YOUR RED T-SHIRTS IN UNITY
In Unity
Irene Robles
June 28, 2013
Union Brothers and Sisters
In May the Bargaining Committee put out a report that
the Union and the Company met with a Federal Mediator in hopes that this would
be helpful to negotiations, as a result both parties recessed till June 18th.
As you all may be aware an update went out Tuesday June 18th
that the bargaining committees were back at the table only this time without the
mediator. Many of you are asking the question as to why?
Frustrated and confused I sent an email to the district and was advised an
email of explanation would be sent out. That report is posted to the
District 7 website dated June 19th
with the explanation.
In short as the report reads there are gaps in the
positions of both parties, and have remained unchanged for some time. I can
only speculate that the Union’s position to protecting our wages, healthcare
premiums as well as the pre-retiree, and retiree benefits are intense topics of
discussion. Other hot items on the table were the Premise Techs, Tier 2 titles
across the board which bring in new hires at half the wage salary that we
currently make today doing the same job. CTL position on healthcare is
that we hike up monthly premiums to 30%, currently we are paying 5.9%, I think
we can all agree that our monthly premium on healthcare will go up but the
question is what will be that fair percentage. There is discussion to
protecting our Call Centers, bringing in work that has been sent offshore,
Dispatch Centers and our Offline Support Centers.
If you ask what is legal counsel? That would be
Richard Rosenblatt. Experienced in labor negotiations, experienced and is
very well versed on our CBA. I trust that the bargaining committee felt it
necessary at this stage in negotiations to make this call. This would give
opportunity to evaluate the other side, determine our legal rights and develop a
strategic plan with our bargaining committee. I hope to have more
information in the coming weeks.
I would like to add that Centurylink did not anticipate
we would still be at the bargaining table this long and standing firm.
Their plan was to rush us through bargaining, move us to impasse, strike, then
we would crawl back for less than what was originally on the table. Our
Bargaining Committee has put the energy and has enabled CTL to take back their
regressive proposals. It is with our patience and UNITY that we will
accomplish what it fair to us to make this company a success. Remember it
was said that this would be no easy negotiation so again I thank you for your
patience and unity through this process.
SHAREHOLDERS MEETING IN MONROE: May 21st
was Centurylink’s annual shareholders meeting held in Monroe,
Louisiana. There were 29 unionists from District 7 who were asked to go,
but only 13 made it due to the severe weather; we also had 50 other CWA
activists from across the region there in support for sending a message with
regards to our contract, handing out fliers and wearing our CWA Red Shirts.
CEO Glenn Post gave his presentation sharing that Centurylink is now the largest
company headquartered in Louisiana and climbed to NO. 150 on the Fortune 500
list of America’s largest companies. The growth has been profitable
and is financially strong with $3.3 billion in free cash flow and has the scale
to drive long-term growth. Although this may be good for CTL, I couldn’t
help but wonder how much of that he planned to share with his employees who make
this company a success. Towards the end of the meeting the floor was
open to anyone who wished to make a statement and or ask a question. One
Union Sister asked Mr. Post if he knew of a building in her state where it once
housed 300 + employee’s (Sales Representatives) and has now less than 50 in her
center. Because of call volumes at a low and vendors, many have lost their jobs
because they could not meet their objectives. This CWA Sister let it
be known she had 12 years + in service and always gave a 100% plus to her job
and now worried that she may be losing her job because she can’t make her
numbers. As the room fell silent in hearing here story, the attention was
back at the front where Mr. Post sat, and responded “That he was not aware of
that center, its location, or the decline in employee’s” my thought was
“Really??”
Our Vice President Mary Taylor spoke about the
partnership letter that was signed by CWA Centurylink before bargaining began.
VP Mary Taylor challenged the company to honor their word and embrace a
bargaining environment based on their Seven Unifying Principles, “Fairness,
Honesty, Respect and Integrity” In response to her statement Post said the
Company was hopeful that negotiations could be completed soon. I can only
say her statement was awesome and we left the meeting knowing Mr. Post heard our
message.
Network:
Net Tech/Broadband positions are still open, this would be a great opportunity
for anyone wishing to transfer into this line of work as testing has been waived
for a limited time. Get your resumes in or update the ones you have on
line already.
PRISM
: New areas have been approved to expand PRISM which is good news as this
means more work for our members. Consumer Sales Reps have been given the
green light to sell PRISM where they see it is available. With this being
said this creates more work for both sides of the house in Network and Consumer
which is a positive for our state.
Consumer:
Our Centers in both English and Bilingual continue to grow each month. In
the past few months we can estimate that we have increased our membership to
closely 200 members. There have been some issues with call volumes in our
Bilingual Center which makes meeting objectives very difficult. CWA has
been in discussion with the leadership on the issue and what they plan to do.
Until we get a response CWA will move forward with the grievance process to try
and get resolution for our members.
Leadership throughout the company is changing with their
visions and managing their people. This should be a reminder that we need
to stick together, wear your Red Shirts Every Thursday. Ask for a Steward
if you are being called into a meeting with a manager. Know your
rights as a Union Member, if you aren’t sure about something being
said to you or done in your work place reach out to your Officer, Area Rep
or Steward so that we can look into the issue.
The Contract has been extended through Monday July 21st,
2013 if there is anything that I’m made aware of before then an email will be
eblasted out.
In Unity
Irene Robles
MARCH 29, 2013
Union Brothers and Sisters
We are now 6 months into bargaining and still we have
no CONTRACT!!!! March 8th
Centurylink put out an email to all CenturyLink employee’s sharing some of the
bullet points of what issues are on the table.
Clarification:
As it was not anticipated we would still be in negotiations. CWA
Bargaining Committee requested a recess until April 3rd,
not so they could do other Union business as CTL mentioned in the email, but so
that they could use their entitlement time before losing it. For this reason
there has been a break in Bargaining Updates posted to the website. The
Bargaining Committee will resume negotiations April 3rd.
Negotiations:
Movement has been slow and I know it’s been frustrating for you all these past
few months. But as long as there is some movement at the table, I ask for your
continued patience and faith in our Bargaining Committee. There are still 88
proposals on the table, most of which have major disagreement in the language.
Company still holds strong to Tier 2 titles across the board, bringing
back only 1% of the off shore work, cap illness days based on seniority, changes
to differentials, Post and Bid and the list goes on. Bargaining will
resume April 3rd.
On a Good Note:
AT&T Contract expired February 8th
and has now reached a tentative agreement and is now in the process of sending
our ratification ballots to their members, CONGRATULATIONS to the AT&T
Bargaining Committee for their hard work.
Centurylink:
Our Phoenix Call Centers continue to grow, over the past several months we’ve
had several classes both for English and Bilingual.
The Company has also been hiring Net Techs and Broadband
positions here in Phoenix, which is really good news as it has been several
years since the company has had any openings for these titles.
RECENT EVENTS:
“Day of Action “March 11th
“, this event is referred to as a “Day of Action for Working Families”.
AFL-CIO put this event together for Unions across the state to gather for a day
of action and education to ask our lawmakers to focus on creating jobs, not
taking away worker’s right. This event brought together National
Labor Leaders along with community partners. Our National President Larry
Cohen was among the many speakers addressing worker’s rights for all workers.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
We have our 2013 Golf Tournament in the planning. Some of you came out
last year and enjoyed a day of golf, lunch and special prize give aways.
There will be more information to come in the next few weeks.
In Unity
Irene Robles
JANUARY 29, 2013
Union Brothers and Sisters
Let me first start by wishing
you all a Belated Happy New Year, I can’t believe how fast these past few weeks
have gone. As you all know we are no further along in our contract
negotiations than we were before the Bargaining committee recessed for the
Holidays. It’s frustrating
I know and I wish I had something new to share with you all, but the reality is
that we seem to be in a holding pattern. We still have 88 open proposals, 60 of
which are regressive company demands. Recently an email was sent out by
Mr. Glenn Post to all employees, in my opinion seems like they are feeling the
pinch of our CWA Bargaining Committee. Who have from the beginning and
continue to stay strongly committed to bargaining us a
FAIR CONTRACT.
Whatever meaning is behind the company’s “CONTINGENCY
PLANNING”
Let us not interpert this into
being a message of intimidation or their way of bullying us. We expected this
reaction we
just won’t REACT
on their terms. Everything has a time and place so I will ask you
all again to please be patient and most importantly stay informed. This
isn’t something we didn’t already expect so
Continue to “STAY FOCUSED AND STAY THE PLAN”.
I know that things have slowed down by way of our
mobilization activities, but let us not forget that we are still in Bargaining
and anything could happen at any given time, so stayed prepared.
Local Agreements for Consumer and Network have been
negotiated. My thanks to all Officers who were committed to getting fair
agreements for our union members in their represented areas.
We’ve had job openings in Network for Broadband Techs
and Net Techs. Take advantage of Pathways as there are courses that will
add to your skill levels for these positions should you have the opportunity to
apply. If you have any questions with regards to classes please contact
Alice Moore who is our Pathways Advocate, you may call the hall for her contact
information.
On Consumer side our call centers have been slammed with
high call volumes and have been up to 300 plus in queue as a result Mandatory
Overtime is becoming a norm on our consultant’s schedules. We don’t
know why all of sudden call volumes have been at its high but we welcome the
work as this brings in more jobs in house and to our Phoenix Centers. We’ve had
several classes here in Phoenix over the last couple of months with yet another
on schedule in March. There have been many concerns around the metrics and let
me share that your voices are being heard. You’re supporting Officers and
Stewards are working with Leadership in monitoring this issue and filing
grievances as necessary.
We are still looking for members to get involved in our
various committees, if you are interested in Education, Legislative/Cope,
Organizing, Mobilization, and Community Services we could use your help.
If interested please contact the hall and ask to speak to one of our Executive
Officers for more information.
AT&T
has begun negotiations Orange Contract is due to expire February 9th
2013. Town Hall meeting dates have been set to hear from the Bargaining
Committee on negotiations.
Bargaining Committee Conference Calls will continue to
be recorded and posted to the District website. Please take the time to
listen to the calls.
“IT TAKES ALL OF US”
In Unity,
Irene Robles
DECEMBER 31, 2012
Union Brothers and Sisters
I would like to start by wishing you all a Safe and
Happy New Year.
Not much movement in negotiations since my last
report. The Bargaining Committee is on Holiday Recess until January 7th
bargaining will resume then.
For now there have been no
conference calls or updates on the website. I will ask for your continued
support and patience. As I have stated before TIME is on our side, it is
important to remind ourselves that although movement is slow this does not mean
we should stop thinking about what CenturyLink is trying to do to us with
regards to Healthcare for both Active Employees and Retirees, Off-Shoring and
Contracting out our Jobs. Money plays a big hand with CenturyLink and
everything is about COST STRUCTURE.
Just a reminder that all
Bargaining Conference calls are recorded and posted the following day of the
call on the District 7 Website. We will no longer hold those calls at the
hall for now. In the event there is an important communication, members
will be notified through the Mobilization Structure, Stewards, and Officers.
Thank You from the Bargaining
Committee and your Local 7019 Officers for your
“IT TAKES ALL OF US”
President
Irene Robles
DECEMBER 14, 2012
Hello Union Brothers and
Sisters:
Although there
was no hard information to bring back, there was a CLEAR message that the
Bargaining Committee felt necessary to share with each one of us face to face
and I will now pass this message along to you.
Negotiations are moving by inches not by feet. The Company continues to
put proposals on the table without full knowledge and at times not able to
explain the proposal they’ve just submitted. Every evening they must
report to Monroe Louisiana to Glen Post. To put in Short CTL is totally
CLUELESS!!!! With what we do in our job titles, where we are located and how
many hold the job titles in question.
The
company is focused strictly on COST STRUCTURE. They are very adamant about
the Tier 2 Titles across the board; new employee’s hired in a Tier 2 Title,
would be expected have the same expectations of the job you do today for half
the pay and there was talk around the Premise Tech title, other “COST STRUCTURE”
items for them is wages, differentials, Retiree Healthcare, Active Employee
Healthcare, Illness days, differentials, OFF SHORING OUR WORK, safety glasses,
and the list goes on.
The
question was asked if a Mediator will be brought in, the answer not at this
time. Centurylink has yet to put all of their proposals on the table, out
of 400 proposals submitted to date only 100 have been accepted.
So
you’re probably asking “WHATS THE PLAN” , although
all the details were
not shared with us at this meeting I can say there is a Date and Time set and
the locals will be notified when it is to be executed out.
The Upside to all of this is that you my Union
Brothers and Sisters have TIME on your side. The company expected to
STARVE us out October 7th,
with their
CLUELESS
NEGOTIATIONS at the table, we will continue to work and collect our pay and well
deserved, after all CTL has made BILLIONS !!! in Profit from our labor.
And it was very kind of CTL to give their employee’s a BONUS this year, knowing
full well this wouldn’t cover a fraction of the cost we would lose if we settled
with their offers at the table.
So I
will end my report with this message:
YOUR
BARGAINING COMMITTEE appreciates your continued SUPPORT and ask for your TRUST
in their commitment to Bargaining a Good Contract for us all. Thank you
for your patience .
In Unity
Irene Robles, President
NOVEMBER 27, 2012
Union Brothers and Sisters
Let me Share that Our Bargaining Committee is working
very hard for each and every one of us to negotiate a fair contract.
Proposals made by the company have been anything but fair, despite the reports
they’ve put out. Conference calls will continue every Thursday, and for those
of you who are unable to make it to the hall, Bargaining Conference calls are
recorded and posted to the District 7 Website. Reminder that our calls have been
breached so any information that is critical will be shared directly to the
Locals and communicated through our Mobilization Structure. Remember to
Wear Red on Thursday’s to show our UNITY!
WE CAN’T LOSE FOCUS! We are all in this
together and I’m asking for your patience as we continue to work through
negotiations. Keep in mind that we are not losing anything by
continuing to work on a day by day extended contract, everything stays the same.
We continue to collect our paychecks and pay low healthcare premiums for as
long as negotiations continue.
There have been many questions asked around the
Healthcare Open Enrollment, there is a Q&A in the Bargaining Report #48 on the
District 7 website that may answer some of your questions, I encourage you to
take a moment to read it.
Mobilization Committee continues to meet every Thursday
for mobilization activities. This is not always an easy task as we
get a lot of push back from the company with our flyers, clickers, button and
Union Boards but that will not stop us from continuing to get our message out
that Centurylink is acting with the same CORPORATE GREED that devastates the
middle class.
Thank you for your patience and continuing Support of
Local 7019.
In Unity
Irene Robles
OCTOBER 11, 2012
Union Brothers and Sisters
There will be another conference call with the
Bargaining Committee Thursday, October 11th
starting promptly at 5:30 pm here at the hall. I encourage you to come and
sit in on the call. Previous calls have been recorded so if you have
missed anyone of them they are on the District 7 website.
The question has been
asked since the Rally on Saturday what progress has been made? The answer
to that question is . . . NONE!
The company continues to insult us by their proposals
and the only thing they have done is waste the Union’s Time.
The Company proposal to combine
job titles of Load Specialist, Data Specialist, Information Specialist, Sales
and Service Specialist, Sales and Service Consultant, Service Delivery
Coordinator, Service Order Administrator and Screening Consultant would be to
create a new title. Really!!! All titles range in various wage
scales not to mention the different job functions. The proposed title is
still unknown as they have yet to share what the name of this new title will be.
Oh and let’s not forget they also would like to have this title make about 30 to
40% less than what the current titles pay today. The company also proposed
a new title of Field Service Technician, which tops out at $20.40 after 5 years
of service.
The Bargaining Updates are not
giving much promise that this new company is looking out for its employees.
Centurylink has made a profit of 2 billion dollars off of our backs in 2011 and
are on target to make more in 2012. I believe that
Centurylink has a responsibility
to its employees who has made it a success and we deserve a share in their
profits.
At this time we are working on a
Day to Day extension of our current contract.
If there continues to be
no progress made at the table, the bargaining committee can give a 24 hour
notice of terminating our contract. I will share the Committee’s patience
is wearing thin. If such a thing should happen, I will tell you any
direction given by the Committee will be communicated VERBALY.
there will be no emails and no texts.
I know and will have faith in
our mobilization structure that word will get out quickly to you, the Members,
when that direction is communicated. Until such time, please continue to
read the updates on the District 7 website, you will need a password to get
access. If you do not have this information, please call the hall at 602
331-7019.
This is not a time to panic or
become afraid if a STRIKE is called. This is a time to get MAD!! We didn’t
come this far to go backwards with what took so many years to fight for what we
have today.
I was at a yard this morning and
I couldn’t help but look at the posters that were tacked up on the wall.
CTL Unifying Principles first Bullet:
Fairness – The Golden Rule - I
say where is the fairness as they outsource our jobs, slash our wages, and give
us no hope for a future to provide for our family’s and plan for retirement.
STAND STRONG BROTHERS AND
SISTERS AND LET’S SHOW UNITY!!
WEAR YOUR RED UNION SHIRTS - IT
TAKES ALL OF US!!!!
In Unity,
Irene Robles
SEPTEMBER 2012
UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERSS
September has been a very busy month for our local.
STRIKE BALLOTS:
You have seen your Officers, Area Reps and Stewards at various work locations
collecting your ballots. The Election Committee and Officers were also on
location at 20 E Thomas collecting strike ballots. Ballot close date was
09/19/2012. Ballots will be counted by the election committee and results
will be forwarded to the District Office. We will share the results
once the District has all the numbers from all Locals with the Strike Vote.
INFORMATIONAL PICKET:
September 12th
Local 7019 along with all the other Locals in District 7 had informational
Pickets at designated work locations. Local 7019 walked the pavement at 20
E Thomas. Some of you may be asking why this was not communicated to our
membership. We could not risk that management would get wind and hinder
our Mobilization Activity. I will share
WE GOT THEIR ATTENTION
and the company’s Hotline were flooded with calls.
BARGAINING COMMITTEE:
Updates are being posted on a regular basis, from this last update it doesn’t
sound like it is anywhere near where they should be with only 2 weeks left
before contract expiration. Updates read with just the bullet points
of discussion to our contract. As per the conference call from the
Bargaining Committee September 6th
our Website was compromised. There was concern and it was communicated
they would change passwords, pull the site down and or take extra care in what
information is being posted. PLEASE do not share passwords with
nonmembers, email updates to any work email or share with managers. It is
our right to have information available to us using our UNION Resources and to
be given to UNION MEMEBERS.
MEMBER RELIEF FORMS:
During the next couple of weeks you’re Officers, Stewards and canvassers will be
given the task to get Member Relief Forms
out to you. It is Important
that you fill this form out, this is how you get
paid in the event
that there is a work stoppage and you sign up for
PICKET DUTY.
Picket duty sign up sheets will be going out within the next couple of weeks.
Your Officers will be communicating this information to their Steward
Structures. Details of Picket Duty will be explained at the time of sign
in.
Mobilization Activities
will continue until a Tentative Agreement is reached after expiration. The
Flyers, Buttons and most Important wearing our RED UNION
AUGUST 2012
UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS: Over the past several weeks we have had Membership meetings in the East and West valley and just recently a 3rd meeting at our Union Hall. The presentation was put together to give our members a sneak preview of what we could expect from CenturyLink and to educate our members about what our options are when the contract expires. If you have missed the meeting I encourage you to ask your peers if they attended and have them share the information from those meeting with you.
BARGAINING BEGINS: As you all know bargaining began August 15th, prior to that all Officers and their Steward Structures were busy handing out the Bargaining T-Shirts to all members. On the morning of Aug 15th, Officers, Area Reps and Stewards and members stood out in the plaza of 20 E Thomas, to greet members as they walked into work that morning. It was a Sea of RED, our outside forces reported to their yards and other work locations following suit in RED!!! WE WERE LOUD AND PROUD…CWA 7019 sent a strong message that day.
BARGAINING REPORTS: You should all be aware, that bargaining reports are now being posted to the District 7 website, you will need the passwords to get access. Contact your Officers or Area Reps for the passwords, or call the hall. Debbie will need to confirm you are a member before giving out that information. If you have not read the latest report, you need too. When I delivered my report at our Local's convention August 18th I spoke about my visit to Monroe Louisiana, and when the question was asked “would the company bargain in good faith’”, the response was Yes of course. Well since that meeting over the past few months we have seen contractors being hired in huge numbers, managers in New Mexico doing occupational work, our work (Grievances have been filed ), members harassed about wearing their Union Shirts, Mangers censoring our Union Boards, and let's not forget the outsourcing of our work off shores. Does that sound like bargaining in GOOD FAITH? It's no secret that the company likes contractors. The latest report that came out from the bargaining committee, reports that the company wants to ELIMINATE Sick time, employees would be required to use vacation, personal time or unpaid time for personal illness. When continually asked "HOW DOES THIS HELP THE EMPLOYEE" the Company’s responses overwhelmingly supported their position of COST REDUCTION.
URGENT: August 28th communication went out to all Local Presidents to jump on a conference. Before the rumors get out I would like to share what was discussed. There was a Letter of Agreement presented to the District on an Enhanced ZIPP VSPP offer. It's IMPORTANT to know that this proposal made by the company was made to the UNION the day after the bargaining committee proposed limits on the company's ability to make voluntary offers and replace employees with contractors. It was made clear that their GOAL is to induce current employees to leave so that their work can be transferred to contractors. It was a UNANIMOUS vote of all locals on the call not to sign this letter. The LOA as written is overly broad and would allow the employer total control over when, where, who and how. Their only obligation to us would be to provide ongoing, separate notices by each organization when/if they decided to make an offer. We would love nothing more than to accept an offer to allow our members the opportunity to walk away with a little extra money in pocket, but it is quite another to burn the ground out from under those who can't.
This not a scare tactic, this is real. Everything we have worked so hard for is at RISK of being reduced or just simply eliminated altogether. WEAR YOUR RED SHIRTS, and be prepared as mobilization activities will become more aggressive in the coming weeks. We CWA will STAND our ground and protect what we have, this is not the time to take a step backwards. Thank you for your support.
IN UNITY
Irene Robles
President
JULY 2012
Union Brothers and Sisters
BARGAINING SHIRTS
"When does Bargaining Begin?" August 15th is the date the Bargaining Committee
will be at the table with Century Link. Wearing our RED shirts on this day will
show our Unity as well as giving our bargaining committee the support they will
need as they begin the grueling process of bargaining our contract.
In the past few weeks I have accompanied
Executive Vice President, Paul Castaneda, who
is also our State Mobilization Coordinator, to various locations to conduct
bargaining presentations, if you have not already read his report I encourage
you to take the time to do so. His
report explains in more detail as to what kind of language exists in other
CenturyLink contracts today. It has been a real eye opener to say the least and
so the question I ask to you my brothers and sisters is “ What’s it going to
take?” The word has to get out that this is real and it’s coming our way.
To say that this contract will be tough is an understatement.
“What should we expect for this upcoming bargaining contract?
My response is "Everything we have stood
for and worked hard for in supporting our UNION, for so many years as well as
those who gave the fight before us will be on the agenda for this company to
begin their process of striping it away piece by piece.
Our Pension, Healthcare, Wages, Job Security and everything else that
falls under our current contract today will be at risk.
I’m asking if you don’t go to Unit meetings, read emails or pay attention
to the E Blast, that you at least remember to wear RED on Thursdays.
I hate to sound like a broken record but
it’s important that we show our unity; let’s send that message to the company.
We as elected Officers of this local can’t do this alone, “It Takes All of Us”.
This weekend July 21st and 22nd I will be in Denver at the
Bargaining Committee Council meeting. A
survey was sent out a month ago asking any member who wished to submit a
proposal , sad to report that not one proposal was submitted via our survey,
Local 7019 Executive Board discussed and came up with the 5 proposals. If you
would like a copy of those proposals call the hall and we can email them to you.
10th Annual Local Convention August 18th, information will
be sent out as to the time and location, if you are interested in coming as a
guest, we welcome you, call the hall at 602 331-7019 and give your name to
Debbie.
A couple of months ago we had a contest and sent out an eblast asking our
members to submit a design for our next CWA T-Shirts.
We had a few members send in their designs, it was wonderful to know we
had so much talent out there; the designs were unique and creative making it
very difficult to choose. With
that we are happy to share that the design chosen for our T-shirts was by John
Cooke, Network Technician. T-shirts
are being ordered hope to get those in within the next few weeks.
John’s design will be featured in our next News Letter.
Thank you to all who participated in this contest.
Contract expires midnight October 6th,
If we expect to make a difference “It Takes all of Us”
In Unity
JUNE 22, 2012
Union
Brothers and Sisters
CWA District 7-Legacy Qwest 2012
Bargaining Survey - CLOSED
May 15th District 7
put out a survey for the Legacy Qwest 2012 Bargaining and the Legacy Qwest 2012
Retiree Bargaining Survey, those surveys are now closed. Results from those
surveys are now available on the District 7 website.
CWA District 7 – Legacy Qwest
2012 Sales Compensation Plan Survey
For those members who are affected by a sales compensation plan I urge you to
take a moment and fill out the survey.
This survey is open until June 30, 2012.
CWA Local 7019 Online Survey
On behalf of Local 7019, there will be an online survey available on our
website. As a member of this local this will give you an opportunity to submit
what will be an important item or items to submit as proposals in the contract
language for 2012 bargaining. August
15, 2012 will open negotiations for a new contract.
To prepare for these talks a meeting of the (Legacy) Qwest Bargaining
Council will be held in Denver, Colorado.
Local 7019 will prepare and submit the “Top 5”proposals based on what
information we get from these surveys.
Remember this is your voice speaking to what’s important to you?
The survey will be available until July 5th.
Sales Support Centers
Phoenix Sales Support Center as well as in Omaha have announced a VSPP offer,
those employees who take the VSPP will be off payroll October 18th.
Although the company has not shared the
exact number of employees they will allow to take the VSPP offer, the minimum
was 10 here in our Phoenix Center.
Consumer Sales and Care
Organization
The
Consumer Sales and Care Organization under Senior Vice President Kathy Victory,
have begun to establish two (2) National Order Help Desk aka NOHD. The two
locations will be in Phoenix and Boise.
This began a chain of events that effected The You Can Center and the
movement of work from the Offline Support (Sales Support Center into these NOHD
Groups). At this time the company
gave a targeted date to have everything in place by July 1st.
According to recent dialogue that may be pushed back.
Officers of those Units will continue conversation with leadership to
make sure all questions and concerns are answered for our members.
Force Adjustment Service
Assurance Technicians
Local 7019 received notice of (1) force adjustment of SAT (Service Assurance
Technicians) located here in Phoenix; this force adjustment will be completed in
August 2012.
Third party vendor LRAC and LPC
The company sent out a communication to the LRAC and LPC centers in Phoenix,
Minnesota, Seattle and Denver this week to advise that they are in the planning
stages of hiring a third party vendor to assist with the work volumes beginning
third quarter. Not many details have
been given as to where these contractors are located only that they are
off-site. VERY DISTURBING,
this is all the more reason contractual language needs to be looked at in our
current contract around
10TH Annual Local
Convention
Our 10th
annual Local Convention is scheduled for August 18th, more
information
Membership Meeting(s)
We are still waiting to get confirmation on a location for a membership meeting.
First meeting will be held in the west valley, as soon as we get the
confirmation an E Blast will go out with the date, time and location.
October 6th will be upon us in no time, let’s be ready, come
to the meetings and be informed.
Irene
Robles
President
April 19, 2012
Union Brothers and Sisters
Kenneth
J Saether: President
Local 7906, Kenneth has bargained both Qwest and CenturyTel contracts; his
bargaining experience has been with CWA/CenturyTel of Oregon 2004, 2007 and
2010, CWA /Qwest 2008, CWA/Lincoln County Rd Dept. 2006.
These are just a few from the list Ken
provided with his bargaining experience.
Lisa
Avila: Executive Vice
President Local 7704,
Sales
Consultant, Lisa has 30 years of service, extensive experience both in Network
and Inside Call Centers. She was the Co-Chair of her Local
where recently she dealt with ADT negotiations and
experienced firsthand a very negative employer; their agreement was ratified in
December 2011.
Kari
Moss: Vice
President Local 7603, Sales Consultant, Kari has thorough knowledge of our
current contract, experience with 1st
and 2nd
step grievances, has been active in her local on various committees and has
extensive education in union training from 2001 to present.
Audrey Deguio:
Executive Vice President Local 7777, CDT-Rapid Recovery, Audrey has a strong
knowledge of Regional Grievances, Arbitrations, Contract Interpretation, Retiree
Healthcare, QJD/CTEP/CQUE/DSQUE, contract and language contract analysis.
It’s getting to be crunch time;
our Mobilization Committee is working to get structures in place with both
inside and outside workforces in preparation for bargaining.
T-shirts for all membership will be ordered
the end of May.
If you have not given your t-shirt size to
your Officer, Area Reps or Stewards I encourage you to call the hall
(602-331-7019) and speak to Debbie our secretary and she will take your
information, or get with your Officers and or Stewards as soon as you possibly
can.
I can’t stress enough how important it will be
to show the company our Unity in wearing our Red Shirts this bargaining year.
A General Membership meeting is
being scheduled for June, once the date is set an eblast will be sent out.
The MALF (Maricopa Area Labor
Federation) Education Committee will be awarding 4 scholarships, for any member
who has a student getting ready for college.
We
know the expense that this entails and every little bit helps.
Eligibility criteria would be for the student
to write and submit a 750-1000 word research paper on a topic.
Deadline June 1, 2012.
The website will be update with more details
within the next few days.
New
Stewards Training is being held this week, April 20th
and 21st.
I wish to thank those who have stepped up I
really appreciate your desire in being a part of our Steward structure.
If anyone else is interested in becoming a
Steward you may contact the Chair of the Education Committee John Seeley or
myself, our numbers are on the website.
Just
a reminder the 12th
Annual Day of Sunshine is May 19,
2012.
All proceeds benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser
Pediatrics Aids, I hope to see you at this event.
If you have had changes to your email or mailing address
let us know so that we may update your information.
Next month there will be an
online survey going out to the membership, this will be your opportunity to
share your issues and any other concerns that you feel are important and need to
be addressed at bargaining.
The more input we give the more power we give
to our bargaining team.
The next few months will start to get busier
as we get closer to bargaining.
Let’s
be ready!
In Unity,
Irene Robles
President
“
Trying to make a difference a little at a time”
March 2012
Union Brothers and Sisters,
I wanted to take a moment to bring you up to date with what’s been happening
within our Local. Recently, an
E-blast went out announcing I was sworn in as the President for Local 7019. I
also wanted to take this opportunity to assure you I, along with the Executive
Board, have not let these sudden changes get in the way of what our primary
focus is for this Local. One item on the forefront is preparation for this
year’s contract negotiations. Many
questions have been asked with regards to the upcoming contract and what’s
happening at the bargaining table.
Let me just share on March 12th, the voting process will take place
to select those who will be on the Bargaining Committee; this would be for
Century Link, Dex and AT&T Mobility.
Multiple resumes have been submitted as potential candidates for this
committee. All of the candidates
come with many years of experience in both Network and Consumer Services.
Some will have sat on previously and some will be new to the committee.
As soon as those individuals are named, I will pass the information on to
the membership.
In the meantime, it is vital that we collectively and individually continue to
make preparations. This is an important juncture in our lives and now is the
time to prepare ourselves and not wait!!!
A few months from now things will be in full swing!!!
Due to the importance of this year’s contract, we need to be ready.
CenturyLink is a new Telecom to District 7 and this Local.
These waters have not been explored and we are not quite sure what this
new company will bring to the table. Rumor
is they are very frugal. District 7
has appointed Paul Castaneda as our state Mobilization Coordinator.
He has been providing training to all the locals in our state.
He just completed training for the Local
7019’s officers, area reps, committee chairs and retirees.
He is currently working on Tucson and Yuma.
I had the pleasure of attending one of the training classes and I can
only say it was a real eye opener for me.
We need to be ready and send a strong message that we are
There is strength in numbers! Let’s make sure our presence is felt intensely
this year. Let’s make our presence
known!!!
30/nw
afl-cio
Back to the Homepage | E-mail the Webmaster | CWA National Site