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2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #14 2/27/2004 FEB 26, 2004 The Union Committee remained on standby today. We are awaiting a response from the Company regarding our demands and concerns. Yesterday, Cingular management exhibited total disrespect for us and our families. How can they offer us two cent giveaways? How can they expect employees who built the company to continually have smiling faces? We dramatically improve customer service which allows Cingular to be a premier carrier in the wireless industry. LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD. TELL CINGULAR: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! WE WON'T TAKE THEIR PENNIES - AND WE WON'T ACCEPT THEIR TAKEBACKS. Join us and continue your mobilization efforts. REMEMBER, WE ARE UNION AND WE ARE PROUD!!! In solidarity, Your CWA Bargaining Committee |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCingular Contract Extension Agreement 2/27/2004 Re: 2000 Regional Labor Agreements (Facilities and Call Center) by and between Cingular Wireless, LLC successor to Southwestern Bell Wireless Inc./Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Inc. and the Communications Workers of America (the "2000 Labor Agreements") It is agreed between the parties to extend the 2000 Labor Agreements commencing March 1, 2004, day to day subject to 48 hour written notice to the other party to terminate this Extension Agreement. Such written notice shall be delivered via facsimile or email to the designated Chief Bargainer for each party. The parties further agree that terms of the replacement labor agreement between them will apply retroactively to March 1, 2004, unless mutually agreed to in writing. Signed: W. L. Davis, Jr., Assistant to the Vice President, CWA District 6 Neil Keith, Executive Director Labor and Safety Cingular Wireless |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesJoint Statement between Cingular Wireless and the Communications Workers of America District Six 2/27/2004 Today, Cingular Wireless and the Communications Workers of America, District 6 agreed to extend contract talks beyond the expiration of their current labor contract covering Cingular's bargained employees in the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The current agreement is set to expire at midnight Sunday, February 29th. However, with the extension, the parties will avert any workforce disruption and alleviate any concern of service disruptions to Cingular Wireless customers. The parties have been in talks for several weeks on a new agreement. Both the Company and the Union are pleased with the progress and feel it is in the best interests of the Company, the employees and CWA members, and Cingular Wireless customers to continue productive talks beyond the deadline. We appreciate the hard work and dedication the bargaining committees have provided and both sides look forward to reaching terms on an agreement and concluding negotiations. Signed: W. L. Davis, Jr., Assistant to the Vice President, CWA District 6 Neil Keith, Executive Director Labor and Safety Cingular Wireless |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCINGULAR 2004 - BARGAINING REPORT #13 2/26/2004 FEBRUARY 25, 2004 Negotiations continued today and became extremely contentious when the company presented another set of absurd retrogressive proposals. The proposals included Decreasing Wages for ALL job titles across the board. IN ADDITION, THE COMPANY EVEN PROPOSED RAISING HEALTH CARE COST FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. The bargaining session became very aggressive and Chairperson Bill Davis told the Company's Committee they were not listening to our demands and concerns. Davis said "…this offer is not worth the paper it is written on…" Because of the hostility and the company's total disregard for the issues that matter to you and your families your Committee walked out of the room. YOUR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK MEANS NOTHING TO CINGULAR!!! WHY IS CINGULAR TREATING THEIR HARD WORKING, DEDICATED EMPLOYEES SO LOUSY? After all they paid $41 billion for AT&T Wireless and yet they offered us pennies!!! Our families deserve decent health care benefits with no increase in cost and wage increases with progression!!! STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS -SEND CINGULAR A MESSAGE. TELL THEM: "CINGULAR READ OUR LIPS - NO TAKEBACKS"!!!!! In solidarity, Your CWA Bargaining Committee |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #12 2/25/2004 FEB 24, 2004 Negotiations between the full Union and the Company committees continued today. The Union presented and explained all Benefit and Upgrade proposals. During this often-heated session, Cingular management proposed a number of retrogressive demands. These ridiculous proposals do nothing to recognize the contribution and commitment we have made to the Company and are a direct slap in the faces of you and your families. The day's dialogue between the Union and the Company became intense because of the Companies unwillingness to provide us the fair wages and the benefits we deserve. The Company list of takeaways includes: · Reduction of the annual income of a Customer Service Representative I by $4,000. · Elimination of the Stock Appreciation Award. · No bilingual differential for employees required to use these skills. · Reduction of health care benefits and cost shifting of that expense to the employee. It was proposed that by 2008 we could be paying 5 times the current amount for family healthcare. · Implement employee payments for dental and vision plans. · Only one percent annual pay increases with NO WAGE PROGRESSION; i.e., 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% As if this is not enough, the Company also maintains it has the exclusive right to terminate the Medical, Dental, and Vision, at anytime. Therefore, if the Company decides it benefits them financially you and your families could loose their benefits. How can Cingular pay $41 billion for AT&T Wireless and try to recoup that cost on the backs of the employees? How can Cingular not support decent wage increases for their loyal employees? How can Cingular even think of reducing our health care? How can Cingular do these things to the employees who built Cingular into a "premier" carrier in the wireless industry? Cingular profits are made by the hard work of the members and WE DEMAND: · DECENT WAGES!!! · HEALTHCARE!!! · JOB SECURITY!!! Today your hard work and dedication was insulted by Cingular management with their demeaning proposals. STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!! IN UNITY-WEAR BLACK ON WEDNESDAYS!!! In Solidarity, Your CWA Bargaining Committee |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCingular Bargaining Report #11 2/24/2004 FEB 23, 2004 Negotiations continued today between the Union and the Company. After a discussion by both parties, they agreed to table negotiations until a final report was received from the following ad-hoc committees: 1) exchange time 2) quota relief/commissions 3) job vacancy process (JVP) 4) closed key time for customer service reps Afterwards, the ad-hoc committee chairs: Teri Houston (exchange time, closed key time), Cassandra Tyson (quota relief/commissions), Jim Murray (job vacancy process) met with the company to finalize their recommendations. Your bargaining committee's goals remain the same: 1) PAY RAISES WITH PROGRESSION!!! 2) HEALTH CARE!!! 3) JOB SECURITY!!! In addition, how can Cingular management consider themselves a premier carrier of wireless service and possibly conceive the idea of removing Article 21 Section 6 - ILLNESS AND INJURY from the contract. We deserve compensation for time off for illnesses and injuries!!! STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS - REMEMBER UNITED WE BARGAIN AND DIVIDED WE BEG!!! In unity, The CWA Bargaining Committee |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT#10 2/23/2004 FEB 20, 2004 Your CWA Bargaining Committee remained on call today awaiting an official response from the company. However, the ad-hoc committee on exchange time met today. We specifically addressed the following issues regarding exchange time: 1) Lack of consistency 2) Lack of flexibility 3) Lack of communication The Union and the Company agreed to table these issues and have a follow-up meeting. At this time, we want to thank all our union brothers and sisters in all the CWA Districts across the country for the e-mails and letters of support. As everyone knows, we are fighting for our members' future at Cingular Wireless. We deserve Health Care benefits, Decent Wages, and Job Security!! PLEASE, REMEMBER TO WEAR BLACK EVERY WEDNESDAY ---- STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!! Standing in unity, Your CWA Bargaining Committee |
2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #9 FEB 19, 2004 The CWA Bargaining Committee was still on standby awaiting the company's response to our previous demands. However, today the ad-hoc committees on quota relief and job vacancy process met. At the quota relief committee meeting, we specifically addressed the following concerns: STRESS, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND SALES. After a lengthy discussion, both sides agreed to table the issues and meet at a later date. The ad-hoc committee on job vacancy process met and specifically addressed the following concerns: LACK OF NOTIFICATION ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES, LACK OF NOTIFICATION ON STATUS OF JOB REQUESTS AND THE INPLEMENTATION OF AN IVR (INTERNAL VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM). After an extended discussion, these items were also tabled and we agreed to a follow up meeting. As the members are aware - on February 17, 2004 Cingular management announced the purchase of AT&T wireless for 41 billion dollars. Cingular management stated this would elevate them to the premier provider of wireless service in the nation. As the premier provider, they should be able to guarantee us JOB SECURITY AND DECENT WAGES. Shouldn't our dedication and hard work count for something? STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS- - -TOGETHER WE ARE UNION PROUD!!! In solidarity, Your CWA Bargaining Committee |
2004 Cingular Bargaining UpdatesCINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #8 2/18/2004 Your CWA Bargaining Committee was on call today awaiting the company's response from our last proposals. Today, the first ad-hoc committee on "close key time" met. We specifically addressed the following issues: 1) stress 2) training 3) customer service The Union and the Company agreed to table these issues and meet at a later date. Both parties also agreed to the additional ad-hoc committees: quota relief, job vacancy process (IVR-internal voice response system), and exchange time. We, the employees, are the back bone of the company! Cingular is now the largest wireless provider in the nation! They were able to achieve this on the backs of the members. If Cingular management can spend 41 billion dollars on the purchase of AT&T Wireless then we deserve HEALTH CARE AND DECENT WAGES. We are Union and proud of it. Please, continue all of your mobilization efforts. Remember Union brothers and sisters UNITED WE BARGAIN AND DIVIDED WE BEG!!! In solidarity and unity, Cingular Bargaining Committee |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining Updates2/18/2004 CINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #7 FEBRUARY 17, 2004 Today the Union and the Company met for a heated round of bargaining. The company read a demeaning statement to the committee. In the statement, management advised that AT&T Wireless has been purchased at approximately 41 billion dollars. As such, there are limited funds available for bargaining this contract. The union's response was that if the company can purchase AT&T Wireless for 41 billion dollars, surely they can afford decent wages for our members. Among the retrogressive proposals the company made: 1) deleting the illness and injury section of the contract - which means NO PAID TIME OFF FOR ILLNESS OR INJURY, 2) the company also proposed reducing the number of paid holidays per year - which means LESS PAID HOLIDAYS PER YEAR. We must stand united to combat the company's unwilling attitude to bargain a mutually respectful contract. Cingular is a profitable company and we deserve our piece of the pie. We must remain strong to obtain our goals. Your bargaining committee is vigilantly fighting to get what we deserve. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CONTINUE ALL MOBILIZATION EFFORTS!!! In solidarity, Your CWA Bargaining Committee |
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2004 Cingular Bargaining Updates2/16/2004 CINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #6 Your CWA Bargaining committee spent the weekend reviewing and evaluating the company's initial counter proposals. Today, we responded to management's initial counter proposals. Our goals remain the same: We must have healthcare!!! We must have decent wages!!! We must have job security!!! Remember, continue all of your mobilization efforts. TOGETHER WE ARE THE UNION!!! In unity, Cingular Bargaining Committee 2/13/2004 CINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #5 Your CWA Bargaining team is still evaluating the company's counter proposal in order to make an appropriate response. We are committed to: STANDING FOR PAY RAISES AND HEALTH CARE AT CINGULAR Also, please continue all of your mobilization efforts. As you well know - UNITED WE BARGAIN DIVIDED WE BEG!!! In unity, Your Cingular Bargaining committee 2/13/2004 CINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #4 FEBRUARY 12, 2004 Negotiations commenced with Cingular management today. The company responded to our initial demands by presenting us with their counter proposals. Your bargaining committee worked late into the night evaluating the company's information. Please, continue all mobilization efforts - don't forget to wear black on Wednesdays. UNITED WE BARGAIN DIVIDED WE BEG!!! In solidarity and unity, Your Cingular Bargaining committee 2/11/2004 Cingular Bargaining Report # 3 The CWA bargaining committee was on standby today while waiting on the company to review our initial demands. Our next bargaining session is scheduled for February 12, 2004. Your CWA Bargaining Committee is dedicated to achieving the improvements you deserve!! UNITED WE BARGAIN, DIVIDED WE BEG!!! In Unity, Your CWA Bargaining Committee 2/11/2004 CINGULAR BARGAINING REPORT #2 FEBRUARY 10, 2004 Negotiations continued with Cingular management today. We met with the company and explained the union's initial demands. Members, please continue your mobilization efforts and support your bargaining committee. The CWA Bargaining team consists of: Chairperson-Bill Davis, Teri Houston, Jim Murray, Cassandra Tyson and Jerrell Miller-CWA Staff. REMEMBER UNITED WE BARGAIN AND DIVIDED WE BEG!!! In solidarity, The CWA Bargaining Committee 2/10/2004 February 9, 2004 Today was the first day of bargaining. We met with Cingular management for the opening round of bargaining. Both bargaining chairs made opening remarks regarding the status of Cingular Wireless and the Union's demands for a fair and equitable agreement. The company chair, Neil Keith, Executive Director of Labor Relations, voiced concerns over the status of the wireless industry. For example, Mr. Keith highlighted the five major competitors in the wireless industry: 1) Verizon, 2) Sprint, 3) T-Mobile, 4) AT&T, 5) Nextel. To add, he stated that Cingular and CWA partnership gave us the competitive edge. However, the company would need more flexibility and adaptability from their employees. In response to management's opening statement, Bill Davis, Assistant to the Vice President District 6 and Union Bargaining Chair, gave the following opening statement: "The Union definitely acknowledges our unique partnership." Per Mr. Davis, "CWA is also very concerned about Cingular's success. In addition, we in District 6 set the pattern for the Company-Union relationship. Our goals for this round of bargaining include: 1) substantial wage increase, 2) job security, 3) improved health care." Furthermore, Cingular is a more profitable company than when we last bargained in 2001. These are some of the demands the bargaining committee submitted to Cingular management. Article 2-Improve recognition and establishment of the unit Article 2-Eliminate contract labor Article 3-Improve classification of employees Article 7-Improve grievance procedure Article 9-Improve arbitration process Article 14-Improve force adjustment Article 14-Improve severance and dismissal payment Article 19-Improve commission plans Article 19-Improve temporary work in higher classification Article 19-Establish bi-lingual differential Article 21-Improve sickness and disability plan Article 22-Improve vacations Article 23-Improve holidays In Solidarity, The Cingular Bargaining Committee |
02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004