May 1, 2013—Tape

The 74th CWA Convention brought delegates, alternates and retirees from all over the country to Pittsburgh. All sections were represented: CWA Telecommunications Locals and Districts and the Telecom and Technologies Sector; TNG –the Newspaper Guild; NABET – the Broadcast employees and technicians; IUE – electrical workers; AFA – the flight attendants; PPMW – Printing, publishing and media employees; and Public Workers.

As with all organizations, the financial report was primary. Streamlining the use of our funds to best support our goals was of highest importance. It was approved to increase the member relief fund payment to $400 on the 57th day of a strike. Week 2 is $200 and weeks 3 through 7 is $300.

President Cohen outlined the Unions overall goals as represented by a triangle of Representing of our members, Organizing new members, and Movement building.
A constitutional amendment was approved to establish a Telecom Bargaining Council which will formulate the bargaining agenda, designate national issues and authorize an agreement. It is hoped that this will strengthen our bargaining position particularly with employers like ATT.

Many successful organizing campaigns were reported. The major stand out is the 300 Cablevision workers in Brooklyn’s 1109. And the highlight of the convention for me was their group performing the song they wrote for their organizing effort.

Right Now: Of immediate concern for everyone who works for a living –represented or not—is to protect the NLRB. Right now, there are members in Congress, specifically the Senate, representing Corporate interests like ATT and Verizon but also Walmart and dozens of other large anti-union corporations, who are preventing the President from making the appointments necessary for the NLRB to function. A non-functioning NLRB means no elections for union representation and labor board charges going unresolved. Strong anti-union forces will stop at nothing to prevent working people from seeking economic justice, further deteriorating the middle class.

JOIN THE FIGHT: Join the CWA rapid response team to protect the NLRB and the labor law it upholds. Text NLRB to 69866.
JOIN THE FIGHT!

You can read all of President Cohen’s speech, and get much more in depth information on the convention, the issues discussed, resolutions passed, etc, by going to www.cwa-union.org or pressing the CWA National button on the left on this website.

In Unity,
Andrea Lupo
President, Local 1153
 

April 28, 2013

Hello Members and Friends,

I wanted to share a little insight into where your money goes when you are kind enough to donate to one of the many charities that always seem to be in need.
As part of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Awards presentation at the 74th Annual CWA Convention this year there was a speaker named, Martha. She was born in Africa, contracted HIV and believed she would never fulfill her dream of becoming a mother. Due to the efforts of many of our CWA brothers and sisters for the past 22 years, they have helped to raise over 7 million dollars. Martha was one of the very fortunate people who benefited from these generous donations. Twelve years ago a pill was developed that reduced the risk of transmission from mother to child. Current medication not only reduces the risk but allows the mother to care for her HIV negative children. Martha did find someone who as she put it, “swept her off her feet” and they have 2 beautiful HIV negative sons. And now, she is determined to help other women in her village to also be able to know the joys of motherhood, which is a very long standing custom as part of her culture.
So, to those of you who participated in the local’s bake sale to benefit EGPAF, please know that you are indeed helping to make the elimination of pediatric aids a very real goal. As stated at the convention, it is a question of when not if. I am proud to be a member of one of the 459 locals (out of 960) who participated in the annual fundraising campaign for 2012 and look forward to helping again this year.

In Unity,
Rosaria Porpora
 

April 10, 2013
   I just returned from Atlanta where the Labor Advisory Forum was held. This is hosted several times a year by ATT, and Local presidents, VP Ralph Maly, and staff rep Laura Unger attend. The Company representatives shared some of their plans for the near future and the Union raised questions concerning our members. Needless to say the recent layoffs in Pittsburgh and Birmingham were discussed at length.

   On April 20th, in Pittsburgh, I will attend the Telecom Ad-Hoc meeting and on April 22nd, the 74th CWA Convention as a delegate from our local. Rosaria Porpora will attend the convention as an alternate. There are a number of proposed amendments to the CWA Constitution that delegates will consider. Of greatest importance for our members are the 2 proposals designed to strengthen telecom’s bargaining position in the coming years. The Telecom Ad-Hoc meeting will discuss the merits of each proposal prior to he opening of the convention. 

   In our own local, the vigilance to fight every occurrence of management doing bargaining unit work continues. VP Vincent Perretta would like to thank those members who recognize and report these violations. With 339 of our members laid off, we cannot afford to allow our bargaining unit work to be cannibalized.

   There has been and will be opportunity for training through ATT and/or the Alliance. It is worth our while to be as best trained as possible.

In Unity,
Andrea Lupo
President,
CWA Local 1153
 

It is Wednesday, February 27, 2013
 

March is membership meeting month. We will have 2 meetings:

In Wallingford, CT on Wed. March 20th at Louie’s Pizza at 5:30pm

In White Plains, NY on Thur. March 21st at the Presbyterian Church at 8am for the night tour and from noon to 4pm for the day and eve tours.

The main subject of our business will be the 74th CWA Convention in April of this year, and specifically the proposed CWA constitutional amendments that will be of interest to all members.

The convention will be held in Pittsburg, PA. I will be attending as delegate for Local 1153, and Rosaria Porpora, our Secretary-Treasurer, will attend as our alternate delegate. Please attend.

In Unity,
Andrea Lupo, President 1153
 

Local 1153 has selected the following holidays for 2013 - 2015:
 
For Connecticut:                        Day after Thanksgiving
 
For New York:                           President's Day
                                                  Good Friday
                                                  Day after Thanksgiving

One additional Holiday can be chosen during vacation pick and is NOT part of the bogey and can be any holiday of your choice, including your birthday. If you do not wish to pick the holiday with vacation, it can be chosen at any time, subject to service and coverage in the same manner as day-at-a-time vacation days.

Tape
January 30th, 2013

First, This is a correction to the last tape. There is no change in pay in lieu of vacation, all vacation, for anyone taking VTP. All vacation owed will be paid under the 2012 contract.
Second, We have three 1153 members who elected to take the current VTP offer. Two in Newington CT and 1 in the White Plains CMC.
We at 1153 wish you good health and good luck in your future endeavors.

Reminder:
You can access the contract, the current VTP offer and much more on our website at www.cwa1153.org. If you are interested in the Joe Beirne scholarship, for example, you can click on MEMBER BENEFITS on the left and it will take you to the CWA link for information and an application. Other links on our site will take you to Telecommunications and Technology news or the main CWA website.

One more reminder: The period of contract negotiations is over and our local showed great unity and resolve in keeping up our information lines and wearing red on Thursdays and Wednesdays and even Fridays. Now, we must not forget that we are UNION.

WEAR RED on THURSDAY!
This is Andrea Lupo, President, CWA Local 1153

 

TAPE
Jan 9th, 2013
A VTP offer had been made by ATT to CWA members in many locations. Here in the White Plains CMC, the offer is for 5 Communications Technicians and 1 Assembler. In Newington, the offer was made for 2 Techs.
The off payroll date will be February 7th and the last day to elect to take the VTP offer is Jan 21st.
This is Andrea Lupo, President, CWA 1153
 

Tape
Jan 2, 2013

It’s Jan 2, 2013. A Happy, healthy and hopefully prosperous New Year to all our members, family and friends.
The grievances for hurricane sandy will be appealed to third step because ATT,s Joe Zayac has issued a denial at the local level. As the news guy sez: Comment as you see fit.
The 2012 contract is now posted on our website, cwa1153.org, as a pdf document and can be downloaded to your own computer.

Andrea Lupo, Pres CWA 1153
 

A VTP offer was released today by ATT with a off roll date of Dec 14th, 2012.

There is no offer for any titles in Local 1153.  Please see your email for details. AL

 

 

THE STRIKE VOTE HAS BEEN COUNTED. AN AVERAGE OF 93.5% ACROSS ALL FOUR CONTRACTS VOTED IN FAVOR OF GIVING THE CWA EXECUTIVE BOARD AUTHORIZATION TO CALL A STRIKE AGAINST AT&T. In the Legacy T unit, 93% approved it. Every one of you that voted YES understood how important this vote is to give your bargaining teams the power they need to keep pushing for our interests at the bargaining table. We hope the Company clearly understands that we have the support of our members.

The SSP payout is $1323 to be deposited in Oct, 2012 and should be in the HRA accounts this week. The additional $370.50 is scheduled to be deposited into the HRA accounts by the end of Dec, 2012.
In Unity,
andrea
cwalocal1153@optonline.net

WE ARE ASKING ONE OF THE MOST PROFITABLE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, WHOSE CEO GETS 7 FIGURES IN COMPENSATION, FOR A FAIR CONTRACT.

We are the ones who do their work every day, all day, weekends, holidays, 7 x 24. WE’RE NOT THE ONE’S WHO ARE OUT OF LINE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOBILIZE AND STAY STEADFAST. WE ARE TRULY FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, NOT JUST FOR US, BUT FOR OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES AS WELL

 

The contract has been ratified by a vote of 67.6%.  Congratulations to our bargaining team for their hard work in getting the best agreement possible. Job security was a major concern and is a strong part of this agreement.

Our organizing and mobilizing efforts will go a long way as we protect ourselves and our agreement from ATT's "plans" over the next 3 years.

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT ISSUED BY CWA-VICE PRESIDENT RALPH MALY:

 

Legacy T and AT&T Puerto Rico – Contracts Ratified

 

The votes have been counted and the Legacy T contract was ratified by 67.6%.  The AT&T Puerto Rico Contract was ratified by 90%.  As soon as we have information on the date you will receive your retroactive pay we will get it out to you.

 

Our Bargaining Teams want to thank you for all your support during these difficult months; and particularly those Locals that worked so hard on their mobilization efforts.

 

Mobilization isn’t just for Contract time. In addition to supporting our brothers and sisters in District 1, 9 and 3 (whose vote on their TA is not complete) and Verizon and the upcoming Mobility, District 6 Contracts, it is a powerful weapon to deal with ongoing issues we are sure to have with AT&T.

Ballots for the new tentative agreement need to be delivered to the union office or to one of the officers of CWA Local 1153 by August 15^th in order to be counted.

2012 AT&T Legacy T Contract Explanation meeting

July 27, 2012 Baltimore, MD

 

HEALTH CARE:  Q&As

Contribution Amounts (Premiums)

Q. Are all premium amounts monthly or bi-weekly?

A. Monthly.

 

Q. Why is there no individual +1 listed?   Is everyone other than just the employee considered family coverage?

A. Yes.  We have Individual, Individual +1 and Family tiers for only the Dental and Vision Plans.

 

Deductibles

Q. Do I need to meet the family deductible before my coinsurance kicks in?

A. No.  The deductible is met on the individual level.  If you meet your deductible, your co insurance will kick in once your deductible is met.

 

Copay/Coinsurance

Q. Copay/Coinsurance does not state “Deductible waived” for the preventive Network/Indemnity portion. This was listed in our 2009 contract. Has this changed from the last contract?

A.  That has not changed.  Coinsurance for preventive in network is still $0 copay & 0% coinsurance.  Outside the network there is no coverage for preventive.

General Questions and Answers #2

2012 Legacy T Tentative Agreement

 

For your information, AT&T put out a calculator to show the total increase in compensation over the course of the agreement minus health care costs.  You click on “Legacy T,” your title, where you work, average overtime, and average medical usage and it does the calculation.  Note they include the Accelerated Success Share money as part of the compensation package:  http://att.benefitscompare.com/

 

Wages
Q. Is the cost of living computation no longer in the contract?

A. No.  We tried to keep it but could not achieve it.  However, with the language we had, we did not receive a cost of living increase for the duration of the 2009 agreement. 

 

Q. The Summary document shows an average of 8.21% wage increase although 2.25+2.75+3 =8.  Where does the 8.21 come from?

A. The first year it is 2.25% increase over your current wage.  The second year’s 2.75% increase is added to the increased wage of the first year’s new wage.  The 3% in year three is based on the higher wage created by the last two increases. That ends up being a total cumulative wage increase of 8.21%. 

 

Skills Match
Q. Do employees on Skills Match receive any increase in their severance due to raise increases with new contract?

A. No, termination pay is based on your wages on your surplus date. 

Q. Do employees on Skills Match receive the Cash Balance increases if they are still on skills match on 1/1/2013?

A. Yes, since they are still accruing pension benefits. 

Q. Employees on Skills Match will be off payroll in 2013 and so will be on new Healthcare Plan and can participate in the premiums Vision/Dental plan?

A. Yes.  They will have to enroll during the fall enrollment process – as long as they are still in Skills Match when it goes into effect on 1/1/13.

Healthcare & Pension

Read more >>>

Questions and Answers #1

2012 AT&T Legacy T Summary of Tentative Agreement 

 

WAGES:   

Q. What happens to the retroactive wages for anyone that left the company voluntarily or retired after expiration, but before ratification?

A. You have to be on active payroll at ratification to be eligible for the retroactive wage increase.

 

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY: 

Q. Is the “no-layoff until April 1, 2013” retroactive? Will anyone laid off between expiration & TA will be brought back to payroll?

A. There was no one laid off between expiration and ratification. Terms and temps are not covered under the no layoff language since they were originally hired for a set period.  

 

Q. Can you please explain the watermark better?

Read more >>>

What follows is an initial summary of the changes bargained in the Tentative Agreement. A more detailed report will be provided to the Presidents at the Contract Explanation Meeting on Friday, July 27, for distribution to members in preparation for the ratification vote.

This was a very challenging round of bargaining. The general economic and political situation created a very hostile environment, paired with a company looking for massive cost shifting and a long list of retrogressive demands.

The Company did not accomplish most of their goals. We maintained and improved our job security language with no layoffs until April 1, 2013. Large additional lump sums have been added to every CBA account with additional money for those over age 55 who are close to retirement. While we did accept higher health care costs, it is not close to the 32% cost share the Company tried to achieve and we were able to bargain a wage package that substantially covers more than the increased cost of health care. Improvements were also negotiated in several of the functional articles.

Your Bargaining Team sincerely believes it is the best Contract we could bargain at this time; it provides substantial improvements for our members and the team absolutely recommends ratification.

We would like to thank all the Locals and members who participated in Mobilization activity and the Mobilization Coordinators who worked so hard on the training and co-ordination of the mobilization plan.

Your Legacy T Bargaining Team.
Read more >>>

Tape
 June 28, 2012

The latest news from our bargaining team is unexciting. According to the bargaining reports which you can read in full at cwa1153.org, or at cwaatatt.com, many local issues, like absence, vacations are being fully discussed and on their way to resolution.  However, the big 4: healthcare, job security, pensions and wages are not yet resolved.

Our bargaining team for legacy t and the teams for districts 4 and 9 are in close contact with one another in order to insure a fair contract for all att.

Earlier today, the supreme court upheld the constitutionality of the new healthcare law, so those us who have children between the ages of 23 and 26 on our plan will not have to make other arrangements.  Hopefully, with this ruling out of the way, at&t will have no excuse not to get serious at the bargaining table on this issue.

I want to take a minute to comment on the last CWA conference call. In addition to the bargaining reports for AT&T and Verizon, I was very happy to hear from the union representative for Deutsche Telekom in Germany which owns T Mobile here in the US, and which the CWA is trying to organize. She pledged her union's support and made the point that unions  provide a voice for workers, democracy at work. She noted that in Germany, her union even has a seat on the company board. 

Lastly, we will be kicking off our political action fund raising in the coming weeks, headed up by Mike Kane and Charles Cole.

Thank you all who faithfully attend our Wednesday rallies for a fair contract. The honking horns that pass us say it all. Work safely and give great customer service.
In Unity,
Andrea Lupo
President CWA Local 1153
 

Andrea Lupo
President Cwa Local 1153
Wed, June 6th, 2012

Tomorrow, June 7th will be our 2nd month in bargaining with AT&T. Those of you following the bargaining reports know that many local issues are settled or close to being settled. However, as Vice President Maly made clear on the presidents' call last night, health care is not one them and neither is job security. There has been some movement on transfers to mobility.

Upgrades for the cash balance- only pension which is inadequate now, is also an important focus. Many of our members hired in 1983 and after will attain 30 years during the life of this contract, making pension improvement a must for them.

VP Maly also reported on a successful grievance strike in one of our locals. Because there is no arbitration available while we are negotiating a new contract, local members were within their legal right to strike when the company fired one of our members and denied the union's grievance seeking reinstatement. The grievance protesting the firing has been settled favorably.

Mobilization is an important part of our fight for a fair contract. We will continue to mobilize, wear red on Thursday, black on Friday and continue our info-picket in front of the White Plains center at Wed lunch. In addition, we are being extra diligent in making sure that our work is done correctly and in the compay's words, "enhancing our customers' experience with AT&T”. At the same time, we are not accepting overtime until a fair contract is settled. Other centers have agreed to do the same.

Stay strong, we are union.
 

36 Reasons Why You Should Thank a Union
Weekends
All Breaks at Work, including your Lunch Breaks
Paid Vacation
FMLA
Sick Leave
Social Security
Minimum Wage
Civil Rights Act/Title VII (Prohibits Employer Discrimination)
8-Hour Work Day
Overtime Pay
Child Labor Laws
Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
40 Hour Work Week
Worker's Compensation (Worker's Comp)
Unemployment Insurance
Pensions
Workplace Safety Standards and Regulations
Employer Health Care Insurance
Collective Bargaining Rights for Employees
Wrongful Termination Laws
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
Whistleblower Protection Laws
Employee Polygraph Protect Act (Prohibits Employer from using a lie detector test on an employee)
Veteran's Employment and Training Services (VETS)
Compensation increases and Evaluations (Raises)
Sexual Harassment Laws
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Holiday Pay
Employer Dental, Life, and Vision Insurance
Privacy Rights
Pregnancy and Parental Leave
Military Leave
The Right to Strike
Public Education for Children
Equal Pay Acts of 1963 & 2011 (Requires employers pay men and women equally for the same amount of work)
Laws Ending Sweatshops in the United States

 

MARCH 21ST RALLY FOR WTF

where's the fairness?

MOBILIZATION NEWS: Today as AT&T holds it’s shareholder meeting in Salt Lake City, the following ad was in newspapers around the country:

cwa1153.org/index.cfm

The new company, ALWAYS TAKING & TAKING is now trying to take away the American Dream.  Substandard work is now being performed by foreign workers in foreign lands that do not meet up to our previous GOLD STANDARD in quality but resembles the quintessence of mediocrity.  The new company, ALWAYS TAKING & TAKING now wants to take away the American dream.  They want middle class wages to be a memory.  They are trying to take away our benefits that we have worked for through the years.  They are trying to take away the retirement dream that our retirees have spent a career working toward.  They are trying to take away our dignity by taking away the American way of life.    If our UNION directs you to fight for our American Way of Life take heed.  STRIKE if we tell you to.  STRIKE with UNITY. Read more >>>

WE WILL BE TAKING OUR STRIKE VOTE THIS WEEK.  MORE INFO TO COME FROM YOUR STEWARD OR REP AT WORK.

 

 

Special Bulletin

March 22, 2012
CWA District 9 ATT West

Today in Bakersfield, Prem Techs took a stand! They engaged in concerted activity and wore CWA shirts as they have every Thursday for months. Local management told them they couldn’t wear the shirts and they stood fast!  Management docked them an hour’s pay and gave them an attendance occurrence, asserting the Techs did not show up prepared for work.

Elsewhere throughout the company, Prem Techs and others wore CWA shirts, AS WE HAVE FOR YEARS, with no repercussions.
It is outrageous that the company would pick this fight 16 days before contract expiration, on our National Day of Solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Verizon and on the first day of 99%Spring.

Unfair Labor Practice charges are being filed today and we need ALL of you to stand in unity with your brothers and sisters in Bakersfield and keep up the concerted activity. SHOW YOUR UNION COLORS and let Matt Hickey, Prem Tech Boss, mh6009@att.com, know what you think of the weak attempt to divide us.

Knock off the nonsense and get serious at the table!

CWA Bargaining Committee

    WHY WEAR RED

                  BARGAINING REPORTS 1 - 6

Company propose eliminating shifted tour differential
Company propose eliminating double time after 8 hours OT
Company propose eliminating Sunday differential
Company propose eliminating day after Thanksgiving as a fixed holiday and replacing it with company designated HF day
Company propose NO PAID INCIDENTAL SICK DAYS
Company propose to shorten the length of time our members have to file grievances
Company propose to reduce the number of paid Union reps at grievance meetings
Company propose eliminating the “tie backs” provision, which protects our members against Company abuse of Article 16 to save particular groups of workers from layoff.
Company propose to eliminate a process (the “Barnes” Agreement) we have in the current agreement that address management doing bargaining unit work
Company propose to eliminate the Termination Pay schedule currently in Article 25 that tops out at 104 weeks to a mere maximum termination pay of 45 weeks

AT&T claims operating segment income of $7.3 Billion on revenues of $59.8 Billion      


       WHY NOT WEAR RED

 

CONTRACT EXPIRES APRIL 7TH, 2012

Tape:  Wed, Feb 29th.

Andrea Lupo,  President, Local 1153

Our White Plains center marked the first day of bargaining today by wearing red and standing at our desks for several minutes this morning. Good start for our bargaining.

Next Wed, March 7th will be exactly one month until our contract expires. Stay tuned for more mobilization activities on that date.

On March 14th, the executive board will travel to Newington, CT for a membership meeting for CT members at Louie's Pizza at 5PM. . And on March 29th, we will have a membership meeting for those of us in and around the White Plains area. 

CLICK ON THE 'FIGHTING FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM LOGO AT RIGHT TO SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES FROM OUR BARGAINING TEAM.

 

 

WEAR RED ON WEDNESDAY, FEB 29TH AND EVERY THURSDAY

Washington's Birthday Tape-- 914 761 1192

Feb 22, 2012. Andrea Lupo, President, CWA Local 1153.

Last week, members from California CWA locals followed Randall Stephenson as he played golf at the ATT Pebble Beach pro am tournament. Our members followed him in their CWA red shirts to remind him that we know that contract talks start on Feb 29th and we need a fair and just contract.

Randall Stephenson led ATT to a $6.8 billion 4th quarter loss between the T Mobile deal and iphone subsidies. So this President’s day, we say, IMPEACH Randall Stephenson. We will not accept this excuse to pay for his mistakes. ATT is one of the most profitable corporations in the world.

We know that a good contract isn't just good for us and our families. It keeps our communities where we pay rent or a mortgage, shop, go to school, support a church, and more, strong.

Take opportunities to make this point to folks in your community. We need their support.

Finally, on Wednesday, Feb 29th, the first day of bargaining, all legacy- t CWA members and supporters will wear red. And again on Thursday, and every Thursday, wear red. It's one way we can follow Stephenson around his country club letting him know we will do what it takes to get a good contract.
More information is available at the T & T Website: http://www.cwa-union.org/teletech

Jan 2012

We’ve made the difference
at AT&T.
We will make the difference
in 2012

This month we celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday. At the time that Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, he was in Memphis to support the striking sanitation workers there. He believed that we all need to stand together to fight for justice. He knew that workers and their Unions are an important part of that fight. 
 

 

Read more >>>