
CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of April 19th Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates National Update for April 30, 2004 Friday, April 30, 2004 Unity@SBC, April 30, 2004, No. 40 Special Report! Retiree Health Breakthrough CWA has reached a tentative agreement with SBC on retiree health care, pending final agreement on all the contracts. It ensures that retirees will not pay premiums for at least the next five years. This will provide real peace of mind to our 90,000 plus retirees and their families. This issue has been a major roadblock in our negotiation efforts. We will be back to bargaining important issues for our members at the national and regional tables. These include employment security, health care, wages, pensions and more. Report from Columbus, Ohio CWA Mobilization Helps Win Huge Victory on Retiree Health Care Reports from District 4 on the SBC annual meeting today provide all the proof that CWA mobilization works. The 1,000 CWA members and retirees who turned up for the SBC annual meeting in Columbus were greeted at 8 am this morning by CWA District 4 Vice President Jeff Rechenbach who told them of the big breakthrough in retiree health. On the news of this big victory, CWAers then held their own shareholders meeting, instead of attending the SBC event, and renewed their determination to get back to bargaining and win a fair contract for everyone. The huge crowd marched to their meeting site, where Rechenbach outlined the breakthrough, but stressed that the fight wasn't over. Critical issues of jobs, employment security and other concerns of our members still must be settled, he said, so we have to stay strong and stay mobilized. There was a lot of celebrating and positive energy, as CWAers took in this big success. The crowd heard from CWA District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn, television personality Jerry Springer and Ron Kastner, president of IBEW Local 21, among others. In an especially moving moment, a retiree from Columbus thanked CWA and its members for standing tall with retirees, as he recounted his very costly heart transplant operation. "I would not be alive if it were not for you," he said. An SBC member who was laid off in December 2002 reminded the crowd of the critical fight still ahead on employment security. "I am angry about the future when I think about them sending the jobs of the future to India rather than providing jobs for people like me and my son and his generation." CWAers around the districts need to keep up this phenomenal activity – together, we'll get the contract we've earned at SBC. National Update for April 30, 2004 (late edition) Unity@SBC, April 30, 2004, No. 40, late edition National Table Update The CWA bargaining team has been called to Washington. At the call of the mediator, we're ready to go at the national and regional tables. The Clock is Ticking... Seven days and counting to midnight, May 7. That's the final day of our 30-day notice of intent to strike.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/30/2004 04:54:00 PM

Thursday, April 29, 2004

Cingular Mobilization Action


CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Cingular Bargaining Update Page
2004 Cingular Bargaining Updates CWA is asking that it's members go into a Cingular Agent (not the Corporate Store locations listed below) store this weekend (May 1 & 2) wearing your CWA shirts on to make your presence known but do not talk Union business. Ask about your bills, if you currently have Cingular service, or if you do not ask general information questions about Cingular service and if you have service activated, please do that at the Corporate Stores (listed below) because members are being disciplined because they don't have enough activations. Please DO NOT have service activated at an agent store because these people are not CWA members. These would be any of the locations that ARE NOT listed below. Also see this attachment for all DFW store locations if you are not in the Fort Worth area and are looking for a Corporate Store where CWA members work to get service activated or picket if a strike is called. Members picket outside Cingular Store
If a strike is called at Cingular we will ask for help picketing from every member of CWA 6201! Listed below are the Cingular Store locations in CWA 6201. If you have any ideas or suggestions please contact Beverly Mayberry at her email address who is the Cingular Mobilization Coordinator. For Directions to any of the locations just click on the link at the bottom of each box and type in your starting destination
Cingular Wireless Stores Ft. Worth Area Locations
Arlington - North 2111 N. Collins Ste 205 Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 276-2100 East Side of N Collins, just north of Lamar Blvd. Directions to Location	Arlington - South 5415 South Cooper Ste 125 Arlington, TX 76017 (817) 466-0701 Corner of Green Oaks & S. Cooper in the Cooper Oaks Crossing Shopping Center Directions to Location
Fort Worth - S. Hulen St. 2854 S. Hulen Fort Worth, TX 76109 (817) 922-0994 1 1/2 miles south of I-30 on Hulen St Directions to Location	Hurst 980 Melbourne Ste A Hurst, TX 76055 (817) 589-285-2400 1 block south of 183 on Melbourne, behind Northeast Mall Directions to Location

posted by Howard # 4/29/2004 05:41:00 PM

CWA Members Vote SBC Strike Authorization

April 29, 2004: SBC National Bargaining Update 1 Day to the 4-30 SBC Shareholders Meeting in Columbus, OH

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of April 19th Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates CWA Members Vote SBC Strike Authorization 4/29/2004 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Communications Workers of America working at SBC Communications voted overwhelmingly to give CWA leaders authorization to call a strike if they deem it necessary. Contract negotiations currently are underway on behalf of 100,000 CWA-represented workers at SBC. The talks cover SBC operations in 13 states: Connecticut, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, California and Nevada. CWA reported that 90 percent of its SBC members voted in favor of strike authorization in balloting conducted by CWA local unions. For a strike to take place, the next step would be for CWA's 18-member executive board to authorize President Morton Bahr to set a strike date. CWA gave SBC a 30-day notice of intention to strike on April 7; the earliest date a strike could begin is May 8. CWA agreed to provide the advance notice in exchange for SBC's agreement to keep workers' health coverage in place in case of a strike until a new contract is ratified. Under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Director Peter Hurtgen, national talks are taking place in Washington, D.C. CWA members are seeking strengthened employment security at SBC, including limits on outsourcing and access by union workers to jobs in the growth areas of the company. These jobs have either been outsourced by SBC or are being performed by non-union personnel. They include thousands of technical and customer service jobs in growing areas such as high-speed DSL, business data systems, long distance, and WiFi wireless Internet access, with much of the work going to India, the Philippines and other countries. At the same time, SBC has cut more than 20,000 union jobs in the company's core telephone operations over the past three years. CWA maintains that its members, whose skills and productivity helped SBC achieve profits of $8.5 billion last year, deserve the opportunity to work in the growing parts of the company as it deploys new technologies and expands into new business areas. Another key issue for CWA members is preserving their health security. SBC has demanded substantial increases in out-of-pocket health care costs for active workers and retirees. A fair wage increase and pension improvements are other major goals for CWA members. Regional bargaining on other contract issues also is taking place in New Haven Conn., for SBC East (former Southern New England Telephone); Chicago, SBC Midwest (Ameritech); Austin, Tex., SBC Southwest (Southwestern Bell); and Pleasanton, Calif., SBC West (Pacific Bell). More information is available at www.cwa-union.org/sbc. Or contact Jeff Miller or Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168. Informal talks focused on retiree health care were held today between the parties. Those discussions intensified as the parties worked hard to reach a solution to the problem of retiree health care.
While some CWAers were on the road to Columbus, Ohio for the SBC annual meeting, other members and locals in SBC territory kept up their mobilization actions. Members of Local 4217, from the locate screening office, operator services and central office in East St. Louis, Ill., in informational picket. Members of Local 6222 at the SBC Parkwest location in Houston. Informational picket by members of Local 6407 in Lawrence, Kans., got lots of public support.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/29/2004 04:38:00 PM

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

CWA/SBC Southwest Bargaining Report # 25


CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of April 19th Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates CWA/SBC Southwest Bargaining Report # 25 4/28/2004 There is nothing new to report today from the National or Local table. The status is unchanged from yesterdays report. Just a couple of " Unity Thoughts" for the day. "Even the Weak Become Strong When They are United." " Unity to be Real Must Stand the Severest Strain Without Breaking." The District 6 website will be updated when more information becomes available.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/28/2004 08:13:00 PM

Unity@SBC, April 28, 2004, No. 38

April 28, 2004: SBC National Bargaining Update 2 Days and Counting to the 4-30 SBC Shareholders Meeting in Columbus, OH

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of April 19th Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Unity@SBC, April 28, 2004, No. 38 National Update Informal talks centered on retiree health care were held today between the parties. Strike Vote Announcement Set for Thursday, April 29 CWA will announce the strike authorization vote by members at SBC on Thursday, April 29. CWA's 30-day notice of intent to strike began April 7; day 30 is May 7. For a strike to take place, the next step would be for CWA's executive board to authorize President Bahr to set a strike date. The results and our media statement that talks about our issues will be posted at www.cwa-union.org/sbc. Locals can use it to answer calls from reporters. On the Issues: Employment Security Today's New York Times (online at www.nytimes.com) includes a report on a couple of companies that are returning offshored work to the United States. One of these, Storability Storage, in Massachusetts, had tried for three years to contract out software programming but found better results in the U.S. and brought the work back. Another is Bladelogic, a network management software designer that outsourced work beginning in 2001. It recently concluded that the projects it sent offshore – installing an operating system across a network and monitoring changes to the system – could be done faster and at a lower cost in the U.S., the Times reported. This was true even though programmers cost the company $3,500 a month in India versus $10,000 a month in the U.S. "The cost savings in India were three to one, but the difference in productivity was six to one," Dev Ittycheria, CEO of Bladelogic, told the Times. We couldn't have said it better. CWA members at SBC are highly trained and productive. It's good business to put this skilled workforce to work in the growth areas of SBC, in DSL tech support, data business systems, Internet, long distance and more. And customers would like it better, too. Mobilization Update Mobilization Alert! A reminder that members who aren't going to the April 30 shareholders meeting can still show their support and solidarity. Many locals are having events that day – join in.
In District 9,members of CWA Local 9421 protest SBC health care cost shifting as part of the California AFL-CIO's campaign to Protect our Healthcare at the state capitol in Sacramento. Members of CWA Local 9421 join thousands of California union members at a Sacramento march and rally, to protect health care.
CWAers from Local 9421 picket in Sacramento.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/28/2004 07:39:00 PM

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

National Table Update

April 27, 2004: SBC National Bargaining pdate 3 Days and Counting to the 4-30 SBC Shareholders Meeting in Columbus, OH

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of April 19th Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Nothing different today at the national table, since retiree health care continues to be an outstanding issue. CWAers - active and retired - will be turning up in big numbers on Friday, April 30, for SBC's annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio. Busloads of retirees, organized by Locals 4322, 4310, 4320 and others, will be making the trip, along with CWA members from every SBC district. District 4 promises that its pre-meeting rally will get everyone jazzed, so be there if you can. On the Issues: Employment Security Alert The San Francisco Chronicle reported that SBC is planning additional layoffs. CWA has contacted the company to find out the specifics. If it's our members, we want to know who, where, when, and most of all, WHY? Sometimes It's Groundhog Day at DSL Tech Support This is the story of a real SBC customer -- we'll call him Mr. X - and his long saga of trying to make his DSL connection work. Remember, SBC contracts out its DSL tech support work, with some of that sent overseas. Day 1. Mr. X contacts DSL tech support (he's routed to Bangalore, India) because he's unable to connect. Problem solved - for the time being. Day 10. Mr. X again, and he can't connect because the connection manager is freezing up. Routed to the Philippines, Mr. X is told to use the DSL connection shortcut until the connection manager can be properly installed from his CD. Day 10. Mr. X calls back, because he wants to be able to use the connection manager. Routed to Wise, Va., contractors, Mr. X is told he will have to use the shortcut until he receives a new CD to reinstall the connection manager. Mr. X promises to call back when he receives the CD. Day 18. Mr. X calls back, and this time he's routed to Ada, Oklahoma, contractors. He still can't install the connection manager using the new CD he has received. The next level agent discovers that Mr. X received the wrong CD for his modem. The agent arranges for a correct CD for his modem to be sent to Mr. X. Mr. X said he would reinstall his operating system and then schedule another call to complete trouble shooting. Day 21. Mr. X calls back and is connected to the Philippines. He hasn't received the new CD and when he tries to go to a website, the browser keeps opening additional pages. Mr. X is told to wait for his CD, then call back for assistance in installing. Day 22. Mr. X gets his CD and calls tech support - he's connected to Sterling, Colorado, contractors - for help in installing the connection manager. The connection was successful, but Mr.X also asked for a technician to be sent to his house. Day 28. Mr. X calls tech support because the DSL connection shortcut on his desktop isn't working. He's transferred to a higher service level, and that agent tries to walk him through connecting through the start-up menu. Mr. X, however, wants to use the desktop shortcut. About this time, Mr. X wants to be released from his contract. Same Day. Another agent tells Mr. X that because his software was corrupt and had been uninstalled, he needs to change his settings. Day 29. Mr. X emails tech support (it is received in Noida, India) for help in fixing his connection manager. Day 34. Mr. X calls tech support, is routed to Noida, India, and informed that there is a network outage. Day 40. Mr X calls tech support because he's unable to connect. The higher level service tech rips/rebuilds the router and has Mr. X power cycle the modem. Mr. X. now able to connect and browse the web. SBC employees know that the goal is to delight the customer.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/27/2004 04:47:00 PM

CWA Answers "The West Wing"

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page
Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site
Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of April 19th
Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running

2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates

4/26/2004

This Wednesday night, April 28, you'll see CWA's President on the hit TV series "The West Wing" for the second week in a row fighting the offshoring of good American jobs. In last week's West Wing episode, CWA was featured prominently in the plotline as our President battled to save thousands of computer programming jobs from going overseas, and also raising our concerns over media concentration with the fictional White House staff.

It's rare for a union to get this kind of positive exposure on mainstream TV. CWA's starring role on this popular show is testimony to our union's political clout and reputation in Washington as a leading force for workers.

This week the "real" CWA will answer "The West Wing." President Bahr will be featured in a 30-second commercial which will be shown sometime between 9-10 p.m. EDT. The ad highlights CWA's efforts to protect high-tech jobs.

Please tell your friends, particularly those in the information industries and watch "The West Wing" Wednesday, April 28.

The commercial this Wednesday will appear in these 23 TV markets: Atlanta, Boston, Charleston, W.Va., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Des Moines, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., Raleigh, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.

With the loss of almost 3 million jobs during the Bush presidency, outsourcing is a huge issue in this year's campaign. Our candidate John Kerry has a plan and a commitment to create 10 million jobs. George Bush has a record of failure and no plan.

Tune in Wednesday night (9 p.m. Eastern time, check listings). Support CWA-COPE. And help put a pro-worker administration into the real West Wing next January.

This week, you'll see the real President Morton Bahr in a CWA-sponsored commercial spotlighting the outsourcing issue and inviting viewers to go to CWA's action website for tech workers, www.Techsunite.org

In last week's West Wing episode, CWA was featured prominently in the plotline as our President battled to save thousands of computer programming jobs from going overseas, and also raising our concerns over media concentration with the fictional White House
staff.

It's rare for a union to get this kind of positive exposure on mainstream TV. CWA's starring role on this popular show is testimony to our union's political clout and reputation in Washington as a leading force for workers.

The commercial this Wednesday will appear in
these 23 TV markets: Atlanta, Boston, Charleston, W.Va., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Des Moines, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., Raleigh, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.

With the loss of almost 3 million jobs during the Bush presidency, outsourcing is a huge issue in this year's campaign. Our candidate John Kerry has a plan and a commitment to create 10 million jobs. George Bush has a record of failure and no plan.

Tune in Wednesday night (9 p.m. Eastern time, check listings).

And let's work hard to put a pro-worker administration into
the real West Wing next January.

What is TechsUnite?

TechsUnite is a project of CWA Local 37083, the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers.

Through their website, TechsUnite.org, they provide resources and information to pro-actively address the workplace concerns affecting the jobs, careers, and long-term economic security of tech workers.

Offshoring is a critical concern for tech workers. TechsUnite is currently raising money to place the ad below in major newspapers -- to tell Congress to protect American jobs.

To learn more or to make a contribution to support this advertising campaign, please visit www.techsunite.org.

CWA: Taking a Stand
for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/27/2004 03:32:00 PM

CWA/SBC Southwest Bargaining Report # 24


CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of the 19th Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates CWA/SBC Southwest Bargaining Report # 24 4/27/2004 At the National Table it is reported that informal discussions have been going on at the highest level of the Company and the Union. Informal talks are continuing between the parties with the expectation of returning to the negotiating table. Health Care, Employment Security, Wages and Pensions are the matters that lay on the National Table. The Company is attempting to shift millions of dollars in health care costs onto the backs of active employees and retirees. Thousands of jobs at SBC are being outsourced to other countries and contracted out yet the number of jobs in the bargaining units get less and less with no real way for CWA members to have access to these jobs and jobs of the future. SBC should allow access to these jobs. The Local Bargaining Table in Austin, Texas, remains in recess with committee members continuing to be on call. The SBC Shareholders Meeting is scheduled for Friday April 30, 2004, in Columbus, Ohio. It has been reported that television personality Jerry Springer plans to appear at the CWA action, which has been set for the event. Jerry Springer was formerly a Ohio elected official and has a long history of supporting workers rights, health care for all, and fair contracts. Hundreds of CWA members and retirees from all over the country are planning to travel to Columbus to participate in the event. The results of the Strike Vote are to be announced on Thursday, April 29, 2004. Remember, In Union There is Strength.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/27/2004 02:55:00 PM

Monday, April 26, 2004

National Update

April 26, 2004: SBC National Bargaining Update 4 Days and Counting to the 4-30 SBC Shareholders Meeting in Columbus, OH

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA ran the week of the 19th Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates At the National Table ========================================= Since last Thursday, discussions have been going on at the highest levels of the company and the union. Informal talks are continuing between the parties, with the expectation of returning to the negotiating table. ========================================= New On the Air: Fighting for Hometown Jobs ========================================= CWA is on the air again this week with a new radio message that reminds listeners that "keeping good jobs in our communities is what SBC workers are trying to achieve in contract negotiations with the company." The ad can be heard on popular stations in nine major markets in SBC territory. Or, go to www.cwa-union.org/sbc and click on the headphones symbol. Our ad points out that SBC has eliminated 20,000 jobs in recent years and has outsourced many of the new jobs, even sending some of them overseas. We want to be a part of SBC's future. And that means access to the jobs of the future. ========================================= Mobilization Update ========================================= Reports and photos from around SBC territory.
Members of Locals 6500 and 6502 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, have held two joint informational pickets, with operators and technicians joining the picket lines.
Locals 6325, 6333, 6326, 6327 and 6450 at lunchtime rally outside Kansas City, Mo. Elsewhere in District 6, there have been lots of rallies -- with more to come -- for health care and jobs. Among them: members of Local 6402, on a pretty chilly morning, rally in front of the SBC office in Wichita, Kan., also an informational rally in Little Rock outside the SBC building, with members of Locals 6507 and 6508, and a mega-lunch time rally in Lees Summit, Missouri, outside Kansas City, with Locals 6325, 6333, 6326, 6327 and 6450.
CWA cheerleaders from Local 6222 in Houston, get the crowd going at downtown rally. Also, CWAers in Houston, members of Local 6222, held a big rally at Presidio Square, with lots of support from retirees and CWA cheerleaders.
Locals also are continuing to collect proxies for the April 30 SBC annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio. District 6 members are ready for the trip to join the rally and meeting.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/26/2004 08:02:00 PM

CWA-SBC Southwest Bargaining Report #23


CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates CWA-SBC Southwest Bargaining Report #23 4/26/2004 As of late Friday, April 23, 2004 the National Table remained on standby. The Local bargaining table in Austin, Texas remains in recess with committee members continuing to be on call. Members are urged to sign "Fairness at SBC " pledge cards and to get their friends and family to sign the pledge cards to switch their local and long distance service or drop "enhanced services" with SBC if CWA leaders say it is necessary. SBC has eliminated the jobs of 20,000 experienced workers in the last three years while at the same time subcontracting thousands of customer service and tech support jobs, with many of them going to India. This has a negative impact both on our local economies and on quality service. In current contract talks, union negotiatiors and members are fighting to bring back good hometown jobs and resisting SBC's demand to drastically raise helath care costs for active workers and retirees. CWA is asking members and other SBC customers to switch their local and long distance phone service to AT&T, which is another unionized carrier, if and when CWA leaders say it's time. AT&T offers local service in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. For more information on " Fairness at SBC" go to www.fairnessatsbc.com. The SBC Shareholders Meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 30, 2004 in Columbus Ohio. The result of the "Strike Vote" of all CWA/SBC Locals will be announced on April 29, 2004, so stay tuned in. Members are urged to continue to particpate in their Local Unions mobilization efforts. Remember " United we Bargain and Divided we Beg " and that the "Power of the Union Lies With the Unity of its Members".
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/26/2004 06:38:00 PM

Friday, April 23, 2004

National Update for April 23, 2004

April 23, 2004: SBC National Bargaining Update 7 Days and Counting to the 4-30 SBC Shareholders Meeting in Columbus, OH

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates Friday, April 23, 2004 Unity@SBC, April 23, 2004, No. 35 National Table Update As of late today, CWA remained on standby. On the Issues: Employment Security In a 4-21-04 communication to employees SBC took issue with our radio ads on health care and summarized its proposals by stating: "Good wages and benefits…great, affordable health care…and a guaranteed job. We think that's a powerful proposal." CWA fully supports that statement, and that's just the kind of contract we'd like to see. Unfortunately, the details behind SBC's proposal just don't live up to the company's hype. As we all know, the devil is in the details. Take employment security, for example. The company says it's offering a guaranteed in-region job any time a surplus might require employee downsizing. Now, let's take a closer look at what the company is really proposing. The company's proposal would offer a worker a job potentially hundreds of miles from home, a job that could involve a demotion. A worker who refused to accept a job so far away from home – perhaps for less money – would be classified as having voluntarily quit. That's not exactly the way CWA or our would members define a guaranteed job. What about the work that's now being outsourced, with some of that going overseas? This includes jobs in DSL tech work, data systems for businesses of all sizes, Internet and other growth areas of SBC. Isn't work in the growing areas of the company a better guarantee of a job? CWA is seeking a guarantee that includes access to the jobs of the future. That's what we're pressing for at the bargaining table. Mobilization Update Reports and photos from our locals around SBC territory.
Members of Local 4621 fight for hometown jobs in Appletown, Wis.
Kids from Local 9423 send a message to SBC.
Customer service members from Local 6733 in informational picket in El Paso, Tex.
Informational picket by members of Local 1298.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/23/2004 04:22:00 PM

Thursday, April 22, 2004

National Update for April 22, 2004

April 22, 2004: SBC National Bargaining Update 8 Days and counting to the 4-30 SBC Shareholders Meeting in Columbus, OH

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates Thursday, April 22, 2004 National Table Update The CWA team is available to meet on the call of the federal mediator. Art Imitates Life Did you catch last night's episode of the West Wing, NBC's Emmy-winning prime time television show about the White House and fictional President Bartlett? The episode featured the Communications Workers of America and its president, in meetings at the White House and fighting to keep more than 15,000 tech jobs from going overseas. Best line: "If there's one thing that Communications Workers know how to do, it's communicate." Meanwhile, the real CWA is fighting to keep good jobs for our members at SBC and to help workers gain access to the jobs of the future. Counting Down to the SBC Annual Meeting The SBC shareholder meeting will be held one week from tomorrow, April 30, in Columbus, Ohio. District 4 members are promising a warm welcome for SBC shareholders – and for any CWAers who want to join the activities. District 4 reports that hundreds of retirees are mobilizing to attend the rally and meeting, along with active employees. Locals 4310 and 4320 in Columbus are renting buses to help get all the retirees to the event, and the Ohio AFL-CIO has sent out invitations to all affiliated unions to participate in our rally. Mobilization Update Reports and Photos from around the districts.
CWAers in San Francisco make their way to SBC Park to leaflet before the Giants game.
Customer service reps from Local 6316 send a message to management.
Members of CWA Local 1298 in Hamden, Conn., in informational picket.
In Holland, Mich., members of Local 4035 are out in force.
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/22/2004 03:29:00 PM

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

National Update for April 21, 2004

CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page
Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site
Hear the radio spot CWA is currently running

2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates

April 21, 2004: SBC National Bargaining Update
9 Days and counting to the 4-30 SBC Shareholders Meeting in Columbus, OH

National Update

No new developments in bargaining today. CWA remains available to meet on the call of the federal mediator.

SBC First Quarter Financial Report

SBC Communications reported a decline in first quarter 2004 earnings over the year ago period, but said its strong growth in high-speed Internet access, long distance service and corporate data sales would continue to offset the decline in traditional telephone (local) service.

SBC posted an increase of 446,000 DSL lines, and now has nearly 4 million high speed Internet lines in service. The company also added 2.6 million more long distance lines and posted a 6.8 percent increase in data revenues over the year ago period.

CEO Ed Whitacre said the company achieved "the best DSL gain our industry has seen."

We couldn't say it any better than CEO Whitacre. That's why CWA members need and want access to the jobs of the future.

What We're Saying: On Employment Security

No matter how the spin doctors want to rationalize these practices, the truth is, the loss of American workers is the loss of American dollars spent. The future for the American worker is looking bleak. Our jobs need to be protected. A country can not survive if it exports its best product – the American worker.
A member from Texas

I hope the company keeps our jobs in the USA. I work hard for SBC and for my customers. This is the best job I have ever had. I would like to retire from SBC. Please don't let us down. We have families and futures that are counting on you. I don't want my job to go to India.
A member in California

Mobilization Update

Reports and photos from around the districts.

Members of CWA Local 1298 in Meriden, Conn., take their strike vote.

Informational picketing
in Lansing, Illinois, by members of Local 4250.

Members of Local 6320
send a message in St. Louis.

Members of CWA Local 9421 take a break from informational picketing.

Members of CWA Local
9423 take a stand for a fair contract.

CWA: Taking a Stand
for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/21/2004 09:24:00 PM

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

April 20, 2004 Family Health Care


CWA 6201 Bargaining and Mobilization Page Sign Up for this Yahoo Group to get Updates When Important Items are added to this bargaining update site
2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates What We're Saying: On Family Health Care The following letter to SBC’s CEO Ed Whitacre is being reprinted with the permission of the sender. She has a very moving story of why quality health care is so important for CWA families at SBC. Hello, my name is Shelly and I am writing in hopes that this message will get to Mr.Whitacre so that he may put himself in my shoes for a day. My husband has been working for SBC for almost 3 years now. He is a hard worker and he is the sole provider for my family. My husband applied at your company and was called immediately. He is very intelligent and has won many awards for the outstanding customer service that he provides to your customers. He is very proud to be a part of SBC. We are very worried now about the future of SBC and the future of our family. You see Mr.Whitacre, my husband and I are the proud and loving parents of 9 year old twins. Our miracle babies were born 3 and a half months premature. My husband and I fought hard to bring these two special children into the world. This did not come easy. Our children have been through so much in their short little lives. Due to being born premature, and born at 2 pounds, our son spent the first year of his life in the intensive care unit at Kaiser in Santa Clara, Calif. He is permanently handicapped and he will need 24 hour care for the rest of his life. I am unable to work outside of the home because of his medical needs. He is blind in his right eye, has Cerebral Palsy, is developmentally delayed, he has cerebral atrophy which means his brain is not growing and it is now attacking his respiratory system and he stops breathing. He has a seizure disorder, he cannot eat by mouth so a feeding tube is what keeps him alive. He has BPD which is a chronic lung disease which in the end will take his life. He had a trach for almost 6 years and has had over 20 operations and over 100 medical procedures. He is on oxygen, and is on medical machines every single day, and takes several medications. Our daughter was in the hospital for 4 months. She weighed 1 pound at birth. She has mild cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. As you can see Mr.Whitacre, my days are spent at hospitals, giving medical care 24-7 and can be very worrisome and stressful. Knowing your child may die is a horrible thing to have to face every single day of your life. Knowing that your son will NEVER be able to care for himself is depressing and I wish this on no family. Seeing your children struggle to stay alive is very hard. Since this is our life we do the best that we can. It is VERY HARD doing this when there is only one income coming in. We will never be able to buy a house or afford rent because we just do not have enough money. We live with my parents. It is very expensive nowadays and it takes two people to make it. It is very hard just to be struggling financially and when you have sick loved ones, it makes the situation even harder. I know we are not the only family with handicapped children, but knowing that my husband will have to pay extra for our medical benefits is very scary because that money pays for my son's medical bills that have been acquired over the past 9 years. We are financially in debt and will be for the rest of our lives. It scares my husband and me, thinking about when we get old and something happens to us, who will care for our son. You are blessed not having to go through what we are going through. Please Mr.Whitacre, please keep the contract the way it is. I am begging you. My children deserve it, along with all of the SBC employees. I do appreciate you taking the time to read my e-mail and to just maybe put yourself in my shoes for 5 minutes and think about how you would feel. I thank God everyday that my husband has a job and that my parents have allowed us to move in. I look forward to a response from you and I hope and pray that the contract will remain the same. That will make me feel so much better knowing that I have one less thing to worry about in my daily life. Sincerely, Shelly
CWA: Taking a Stand for Jobs and Health Care

posted by Howard # 4/20/2004 04:45:00 PM

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Mobilization Update

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

April 20, 2004 Family Health Care

2004 SBC-Southwest Bargaining Updates

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