Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Hear No Evil
We all know the nightmare it is to get anything done at at&t anymore. I think a great example of this is the Conference Call I heard about yesterday. The managers in IM got to together for a 2.5 HOUR practice call with a high level manager. You have to practice Conference Calls now!! It was a warm up for the real thing today!!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Health care reform: 'We Can't Afford to Wait'
Everyone is fired up for real health care reform! A sea of CWAers in red was a big part of the huge rally in front of the U.S. Capitol, where more than 10,000 union members and activists came together to tell Congress that it's time for real health care reform.
The Health Care for America Now rally was one of the biggest health care rallies ever in the nation's capital.
More than a thousand CWA members were there. Some came after attending the convention/legislative political conference and CWA's hugely successful Lobby Day. Many more CWAers came on 54 buses – traveling overnight and for many, many hours – to join thousands of other union members who came from across the country to make sure health care reform gets done right.
Lots of players there. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) who is helping lead the fight for a public plan option, said, it's "time for the greatest country in the world to have the greatest healthcare in the world." He pointed to the Capitol and said: "We can't do this alone. We need to do this together. Hold everybody in that building's feet to the fire."
Actress Edie Falco (you know, Nurse Jackie and Carmela Soprano) brought star power and a message: "We can no longer afford to wait."
CWA President Larry Cohen said now's the time: "A united movement to change our country and a united movement for health care for all."
Following the rally, everyone followed Senator Schumer's advice and took that energy to Capitol Hill for meetings with their representatives and senators.
From the Office of Senator Evan Bayh
Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and understand your concerns.
The rising cost of health care and the growing number of uninsured Americans has highlighted the critical need for health care reform. Many individuals and families are unable to receive vital health services under the structure of the current system. I receive letters from constituents on a wide range of health care issues, such as prescription drug affordability, tax credits for health care expenses, and coverage of college students. Please know that I am aware of these challenges and committed to improving access to affordable health care and addressing the needs of those who are uninsured.
Earlier this year, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 was enacted to insure 11 million more children. The legislation included pediatric quality provisions from the Children's Health Care Quality Act (S. 225) that I introduced to address the urgent need to resolve quality care issues widespread in children's health care practices and make publicly available information on the quality of health care provided to children. I have fought successfully for the return of over $150 million in promised federal funds to Indiana to finance health insurance for lower-income Hoosier children. Most recently, I voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was enacted on February 17, 2009. Aimed at creating or saving 3.5 million good-paying jobs nationwide through 2010, the economic recovery package also provides Indiana with an estimated $1.4 billion in additional targeted federal matching funds to prevent Medicaid eligibility cuts and to maintain services.
The economy is an important issue to Americans, and we cannot address the economy without talking about health care. A growing threat to our economy is the skyrocketing cost of health care. The U.S. system is the world's costliest; the country spends some $2.4 trillion a year on health care. An estimated 46 million people are uninsured, and many others lack adequate insurance. Businesses also find themselves in a challenging position to continue to provide health care insurance for their employees. Our priority should be to fix the system as we know it, to ensure that there is access to good, quality health care for Americans.
While we are in the early stages of the debate on health care reform, there are many questions regarding the role of the private and public sector. Due to increasing co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, many are calling for insurance regulation. Advances in health information technology are also being discussed, as electronic medical records could significantly reduce administrative costs. However, there are serious privacy and security concerns. Accountability measures such as patient notifications and patient control of personal health information must be explored in order to ensure adequate privacy protections.
As the debate unfolds, I support fiscally sound reform built on our current health care system that aims to provide Americans with affordable health care. Rest assured that I will keep your concerns in mind as the debate continues. I will continue to do my best to achieve solvent, bipartisan solutions that provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to as many Americans as possible.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope the information I have provided has been helpful. My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can provide additional details about my work in the Senate, including legislation and state projects. You can also sign up for occasional email updates. I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.
Office of Senator Evan Bayh
(202) 224-5623
Russell 131
Washington, D.C. 20510
The rising cost of health care and the growing number of uninsured Americans has highlighted the critical need for health care reform. Many individuals and families are unable to receive vital health services under the structure of the current system. I receive letters from constituents on a wide range of health care issues, such as prescription drug affordability, tax credits for health care expenses, and coverage of college students. Please know that I am aware of these challenges and committed to improving access to affordable health care and addressing the needs of those who are uninsured.
Earlier this year, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 was enacted to insure 11 million more children. The legislation included pediatric quality provisions from the Children's Health Care Quality Act (S. 225) that I introduced to address the urgent need to resolve quality care issues widespread in children's health care practices and make publicly available information on the quality of health care provided to children. I have fought successfully for the return of over $150 million in promised federal funds to Indiana to finance health insurance for lower-income Hoosier children. Most recently, I voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was enacted on February 17, 2009. Aimed at creating or saving 3.5 million good-paying jobs nationwide through 2010, the economic recovery package also provides Indiana with an estimated $1.4 billion in additional targeted federal matching funds to prevent Medicaid eligibility cuts and to maintain services.
The economy is an important issue to Americans, and we cannot address the economy without talking about health care. A growing threat to our economy is the skyrocketing cost of health care. The U.S. system is the world's costliest; the country spends some $2.4 trillion a year on health care. An estimated 46 million people are uninsured, and many others lack adequate insurance. Businesses also find themselves in a challenging position to continue to provide health care insurance for their employees. Our priority should be to fix the system as we know it, to ensure that there is access to good, quality health care for Americans.
While we are in the early stages of the debate on health care reform, there are many questions regarding the role of the private and public sector. Due to increasing co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, many are calling for insurance regulation. Advances in health information technology are also being discussed, as electronic medical records could significantly reduce administrative costs. However, there are serious privacy and security concerns. Accountability measures such as patient notifications and patient control of personal health information must be explored in order to ensure adequate privacy protections.
As the debate unfolds, I support fiscally sound reform built on our current health care system that aims to provide Americans with affordable health care. Rest assured that I will keep your concerns in mind as the debate continues. I will continue to do my best to achieve solvent, bipartisan solutions that provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to as many Americans as possible.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope the information I have provided has been helpful. My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can provide additional details about my work in the Senate, including legislation and state projects. You can also sign up for occasional email updates. I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.
Office of Senator Evan Bayh
(202) 224-5623
Russell 131
Washington, D.C. 20510
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Frustrated
With contract talks going at a snails pace. Some of the Membership are frustrated with the pace of talks.
We will do whatever it takes to get a fair contract.
Monday, June 22, 2009
HEALTH CARE REFORM DAY South Bend
HEALTH CARE REFORM DAY
Rally, March, and Fun Fair
SATURDAY JUNE 27, 2009
(RAIN OR SHINE)
9:30 am Rally at the Courthouse! 101 S. Main Street
10:30 am March for Health Care Reform!
11:00 am UAW Local 5 – 1426 S. Main St
• Blood Drive
• Health Fair
• Children’s Activities
• Free Food
• Video Tape your health care story
Sponsored By: Organizing for America, SEIU Change that works, West Side Democratic Club, UAW Local 5, Yes We Did Michiana
Contact Jennifer Peck at jenn2477@gmail.com or 574-261-1007 for questions.
Rally, March, and Fun Fair
SATURDAY JUNE 27, 2009
(RAIN OR SHINE)
9:30 am Rally at the Courthouse! 101 S. Main Street
10:30 am March for Health Care Reform!
11:00 am UAW Local 5 – 1426 S. Main St
• Blood Drive
• Health Fair
• Children’s Activities
• Free Food
• Video Tape your health care story
Sponsored By: Organizing for America, SEIU Change that works, West Side Democratic Club, UAW Local 5, Yes We Did Michiana
Contact Jennifer Peck at jenn2477@gmail.com or 574-261-1007 for questions.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
AT&T retirees picket during contract talks
anixon@kalamazoogazette.com
(269) 388-2783
AT&T retirees picket during contract talks
Friday, June 19, 2009 Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO -- Local AT&T union retirees carried picket signs Thursday in downtown Kalamazoo to try to draw attention to ongoing contract negotiations between the company and the Communication Workers of America.
Officials with CWA Local 4123 said there are concerns that retirees and workers could see reduced health-care and pension benefits.
``I earned it, and now they're going to try to take it from me?'' asked Leo Harris, a retiree who worked for AT&T for 31 years.
He was among about two dozen retirees who assembled in front of AT&T's call center at the corner of South Rose and Lovell streets from about 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
But an AT&T spokesman said that retiree benefits are not part of the current contract negotiations.
``We take good care of our retirees and will continue to do so,'' Marty Richter, the spokesman, said in a written statement to the Kalamazoo Gazette.
AT&T's contract with the CWA expired April 4. AT&T officials have said that dealing with the rising cost of health-care coverage is a major component of the talks.
Paul Zak, regional vice president for the local union, said the union just wants a fair contract.
``We're not one of the Big Three (automakers),'' Zak said. ``We're making profits, and we're being treated like they're losing money.''
AT&T reported profits in 2008 of $12.9 billion.
Zak said all CWA-represented workers for AT&T, including about 430 in Kalamazoo, have continued working without a contract and plan to hold more informational pickets.
``Hopefully we'll get a fair contract,'' he said. ``That's all we're asking for.''
Richter said CWA-represented workers are in a part of AT&T's business -- wired voice services -- that is declining.
(269) 388-2783
AT&T retirees picket during contract talks
Friday, June 19, 2009 Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO -- Local AT&T union retirees carried picket signs Thursday in downtown Kalamazoo to try to draw attention to ongoing contract negotiations between the company and the Communication Workers of America.
Officials with CWA Local 4123 said there are concerns that retirees and workers could see reduced health-care and pension benefits.
``I earned it, and now they're going to try to take it from me?'' asked Leo Harris, a retiree who worked for AT&T for 31 years.
He was among about two dozen retirees who assembled in front of AT&T's call center at the corner of South Rose and Lovell streets from about 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
But an AT&T spokesman said that retiree benefits are not part of the current contract negotiations.
``We take good care of our retirees and will continue to do so,'' Marty Richter, the spokesman, said in a written statement to the Kalamazoo Gazette.
AT&T's contract with the CWA expired April 4. AT&T officials have said that dealing with the rising cost of health-care coverage is a major component of the talks.
Paul Zak, regional vice president for the local union, said the union just wants a fair contract.
``We're not one of the Big Three (automakers),'' Zak said. ``We're making profits, and we're being treated like they're losing money.''
AT&T reported profits in 2008 of $12.9 billion.
Zak said all CWA-represented workers for AT&T, including about 430 in Kalamazoo, have continued working without a contract and plan to hold more informational pickets.
``Hopefully we'll get a fair contract,'' he said. ``That's all we're asking for.''
Richter said CWA-represented workers are in a part of AT&T's business -- wired voice services -- that is declining.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
CWA Dist. 6 negotiators leave bargaining table
1.
By Dan O'Shea
Comment | Forward
There has not been much new of late to report about the ongoing contract negotiations between AT&T and the Communications Workers of America union, which means that about 80,000 employees remain in limbo about the future of their pay, healthcare costs, and other issues. In many parts of the country, union employees have conducted weekly picketing or other forms of protest.
Now, District 6 of the CWA, which represents employees in Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas, says that its bargaining committee has left the negotiation table "due to the fact that AT&T has not made any significant movement on many of the major issues."
Bargaining committee members may have sorely needed the break, as negotiations have been ongoing for about four months. At this point, the group said it will wait for some indication that AT&T is ready to move forward. AT&T spokesman Walt Sharp said via email that AT&T has a last, best and final offer on the table in District 6.
"We have been discussing that offer with the union, and, even though the union has chosen to leave the table, we stand ready to continue those discussions," Sharp said. "It is still our hope that the District leadership will see fit to allow its members to vote on the offer."
Sharp also said the company views the healthcare coverage in the offer as one of the best plans in the nation, and that negotiations would continue at other District negotiating tables.
By Dan O'Shea
Comment | Forward
There has not been much new of late to report about the ongoing contract negotiations between AT&T and the Communications Workers of America union, which means that about 80,000 employees remain in limbo about the future of their pay, healthcare costs, and other issues. In many parts of the country, union employees have conducted weekly picketing or other forms of protest.
Now, District 6 of the CWA, which represents employees in Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas, says that its bargaining committee has left the negotiation table "due to the fact that AT&T has not made any significant movement on many of the major issues."
Bargaining committee members may have sorely needed the break, as negotiations have been ongoing for about four months. At this point, the group said it will wait for some indication that AT&T is ready to move forward. AT&T spokesman Walt Sharp said via email that AT&T has a last, best and final offer on the table in District 6.
"We have been discussing that offer with the union, and, even though the union has chosen to leave the table, we stand ready to continue those discussions," Sharp said. "It is still our hope that the District leadership will see fit to allow its members to vote on the offer."
Sharp also said the company views the healthcare coverage in the offer as one of the best plans in the nation, and that negotiations would continue at other District negotiating tables.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
This Time, We Won’t Scare
NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Published: June 10, 2009
Perhaps you’ve seen those television commercials denouncing health care reform as a plot to create a Canadian-style totalitarian nightmare, and you feel a wee bit scared.
Back in the election campaign, some people spread rumors that Barack Obama might be a secret Muslim conspiring to impose Sharia law on us. That seems unlikely now, but what if he’s a covert Canadian plotting to impose ... health care?
Rick Scott, a former hospital company chief executive, leads a group called Conservatives for Patients’ Rights. He was forced to resign as C.E.O. after his company defrauded the government through overbilling and is now spending his time trying to block meaningful health care reform by terrifying us with commercials of “real-life stories of the victims of government-run health care.”
So here’s a far more representative “real-life story.”
Diane Tucker, 59, is an American lawyer who moved to Vancouver, Canada, in 2006. Like everyone else there, she now pays the equivalent of just $49 a month for health care.
Then one day two years ago, Ms. Tucker was working on her office computer when she noticed that she was having trouble typing with her right hand.
“I realized my hand was numb, so I tried to stand up to shake it out,” she remembered. “But I had trouble standing.”
A colleague called 911, and an ambulance rushed her to the nearest hospital.
“An emergency room doctor met me at the door, and they took me straight upstairs to the CT scan,” she recalled. A neurologist explained that she had suffered a stroke.
Ms. Tucker spent a week at the hospital. “The doctors were great, although there were also a couple of jerks,” she said. “The nursing staff was wonderful.”
Still, there were two patients to a room, and conditions weren’t as opulent as at some American hospitals. “The food was horrible,” she said.
Then again, the price was right. “They never spoke to me about money,” she said. “Not when I checked in, and not when I left.”
Scaremongers emphasize the waits for specialists in Canada, and there’s some truth to the stories. After the stroke, Ms. Tucker needed to make a routine appointment with a neurologist and an ophthalmologist to see if she should drive again. Initially, those appointments would have meant a two- or three-month wait, although in the end she managed to arrange them more quickly.
Ms. Tucker underwent three months of rehabilitation, including physical therapy several times a week. Again there was no charge, no co-payment.
Then, last year, Ms. Tucker fainted while on a visit to San Francisco, and an ambulance rushed her to the nearest hospital. But this was in the United States, so the person meeting her at the emergency room door wasn’t a doctor.
“The first person I saw was a lady with a computer,” she said, “asking me how I intended to pay the bill.” Ms. Tucker did, in fact, have insurance, but she was told she would have to pay herself and seek reimbursement.
Nothing was seriously wrong, and the hospital discharged her after five hours. The bill came to $8,789.29.
Ms. Tucker has since lost her job in the recession, but she says she’s stuck in Canada — because if she goes back to the United States, she will pay a fortune for private health insurance because of her history of a stroke. “I’m trying to find another job here,” she said. “I want to stay here because of medical insurance.”
Another advantage of the Canadian system, she says, is that it emphasizes preventive care. When a friend was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic, he was put in a free two-year program emphasizing an improved diet and lifestyle — and he emerged as no longer being prone to diabetes.
If Ms. Tucker’s story surprises you, you should know that Mr. Scott’s public relations initiative against health reform is led by the same firm that orchestrated the “Swift boat campaign” against Senator John Kerry in 2004. These commercials are just as false, for President Obama is not proposing government-run health care — just a public insurance element in the mix.
No doubt there are some genuine horror stories in Canada, as there are here in the United States.
But the bottom line is that America’s health care system spends nearly twice as much per person as Canada’s (building the wealth of hospital tycoons like Mr. Scott). Yet our infant mortality rate is 40 percent higher than Canada’s, and American mothers are 57 percent more likely to die in childbirth than Canadian ones.
In 1993, the “Harry and Louise” commercials frightened Americans into abandoning health reform. Let’s ensure those scare tactics don’t work this time.
Published: June 10, 2009
Perhaps you’ve seen those television commercials denouncing health care reform as a plot to create a Canadian-style totalitarian nightmare, and you feel a wee bit scared.
Back in the election campaign, some people spread rumors that Barack Obama might be a secret Muslim conspiring to impose Sharia law on us. That seems unlikely now, but what if he’s a covert Canadian plotting to impose ... health care?
Rick Scott, a former hospital company chief executive, leads a group called Conservatives for Patients’ Rights. He was forced to resign as C.E.O. after his company defrauded the government through overbilling and is now spending his time trying to block meaningful health care reform by terrifying us with commercials of “real-life stories of the victims of government-run health care.”
So here’s a far more representative “real-life story.”
Diane Tucker, 59, is an American lawyer who moved to Vancouver, Canada, in 2006. Like everyone else there, she now pays the equivalent of just $49 a month for health care.
Then one day two years ago, Ms. Tucker was working on her office computer when she noticed that she was having trouble typing with her right hand.
“I realized my hand was numb, so I tried to stand up to shake it out,” she remembered. “But I had trouble standing.”
A colleague called 911, and an ambulance rushed her to the nearest hospital.
“An emergency room doctor met me at the door, and they took me straight upstairs to the CT scan,” she recalled. A neurologist explained that she had suffered a stroke.
Ms. Tucker spent a week at the hospital. “The doctors were great, although there were also a couple of jerks,” she said. “The nursing staff was wonderful.”
Still, there were two patients to a room, and conditions weren’t as opulent as at some American hospitals. “The food was horrible,” she said.
Then again, the price was right. “They never spoke to me about money,” she said. “Not when I checked in, and not when I left.”
Scaremongers emphasize the waits for specialists in Canada, and there’s some truth to the stories. After the stroke, Ms. Tucker needed to make a routine appointment with a neurologist and an ophthalmologist to see if she should drive again. Initially, those appointments would have meant a two- or three-month wait, although in the end she managed to arrange them more quickly.
Ms. Tucker underwent three months of rehabilitation, including physical therapy several times a week. Again there was no charge, no co-payment.
Then, last year, Ms. Tucker fainted while on a visit to San Francisco, and an ambulance rushed her to the nearest hospital. But this was in the United States, so the person meeting her at the emergency room door wasn’t a doctor.
“The first person I saw was a lady with a computer,” she said, “asking me how I intended to pay the bill.” Ms. Tucker did, in fact, have insurance, but she was told she would have to pay herself and seek reimbursement.
Nothing was seriously wrong, and the hospital discharged her after five hours. The bill came to $8,789.29.
Ms. Tucker has since lost her job in the recession, but she says she’s stuck in Canada — because if she goes back to the United States, she will pay a fortune for private health insurance because of her history of a stroke. “I’m trying to find another job here,” she said. “I want to stay here because of medical insurance.”
Another advantage of the Canadian system, she says, is that it emphasizes preventive care. When a friend was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic, he was put in a free two-year program emphasizing an improved diet and lifestyle — and he emerged as no longer being prone to diabetes.
If Ms. Tucker’s story surprises you, you should know that Mr. Scott’s public relations initiative against health reform is led by the same firm that orchestrated the “Swift boat campaign” against Senator John Kerry in 2004. These commercials are just as false, for President Obama is not proposing government-run health care — just a public insurance element in the mix.
No doubt there are some genuine horror stories in Canada, as there are here in the United States.
But the bottom line is that America’s health care system spends nearly twice as much per person as Canada’s (building the wealth of hospital tycoons like Mr. Scott). Yet our infant mortality rate is 40 percent higher than Canada’s, and American mothers are 57 percent more likely to die in childbirth than Canadian ones.
In 1993, the “Harry and Louise” commercials frightened Americans into abandoning health reform. Let’s ensure those scare tactics don’t work this time.
Turning up the Heat
While negotiations for all AT&T contracts continue – and some progress is being reported – CWA locals have been turning up the heat on AT&T, pushing back against the company's greed.
CWAers are turning up at golf tournaments, baseball games and other AT&T-sponsored events with a message that AT&T doesn't really want the public to hear: AT&T must stop corporate greed now.
CWA Local 4321 members turned up at the AT&T sponsored hot air balloon show in Coshocton, Ohio. They distributed flyers to get our message to the public about our fight for a fair contract with AT&T.
Local 6360 members wore CWA red shirts to AT&T night at the Kansas City Royals baseball game and handbilled the crowd before the game.
CWA 4320 members are truckin' around Columbus spreading the word about AT&T's attack on the middle class. They were in Dublin, Ohio, last week, during the AT&T-sponsored
Memorial Golf Tournament, with Tiger Woods participating.
And the traveling billboard of Local 4320 was out in front at the AT&T-sponsored Memorial Golf Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, where Tiger Woods' presence made it certain that the public got the CWA message too.
In other actions:
CWA Locals 6360, 6327 and 6450 held a big rally outside an AT&T location in Kansas City and got some picket line support from UAW members.
Members of CWA Locals 4100, 4310, 4320 and 4900 had some time on their hands so they checked out the latest at Apple Stores.
Members of Local 9421, along with retirees and other union supporters, held this week's weekly picket in Sacramento, with members spending their lunch hour making sure the public knows about AT&T's corporate greed.
Members of CWA Locals 4309 and 4340, joined by lots of retirees, spent their breaks and lunch hours "Practice Picketing" outside an AT&T location in downtown Cleveland.
For the latest, go to www.cwa-union.org/att.
CWAers are turning up at golf tournaments, baseball games and other AT&T-sponsored events with a message that AT&T doesn't really want the public to hear: AT&T must stop corporate greed now.
CWA Local 4321 members turned up at the AT&T sponsored hot air balloon show in Coshocton, Ohio. They distributed flyers to get our message to the public about our fight for a fair contract with AT&T.
Local 6360 members wore CWA red shirts to AT&T night at the Kansas City Royals baseball game and handbilled the crowd before the game.
CWA 4320 members are truckin' around Columbus spreading the word about AT&T's attack on the middle class. They were in Dublin, Ohio, last week, during the AT&T-sponsored
Memorial Golf Tournament, with Tiger Woods participating.
And the traveling billboard of Local 4320 was out in front at the AT&T-sponsored Memorial Golf Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, where Tiger Woods' presence made it certain that the public got the CWA message too.
In other actions:
CWA Locals 6360, 6327 and 6450 held a big rally outside an AT&T location in Kansas City and got some picket line support from UAW members.
Members of CWA Locals 4100, 4310, 4320 and 4900 had some time on their hands so they checked out the latest at Apple Stores.
Members of Local 9421, along with retirees and other union supporters, held this week's weekly picket in Sacramento, with members spending their lunch hour making sure the public knows about AT&T's corporate greed.
Members of CWA Locals 4309 and 4340, joined by lots of retirees, spent their breaks and lunch hours "Practice Picketing" outside an AT&T location in downtown Cleveland.
For the latest, go to www.cwa-union.org/att.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Food For Thought
"History is a great teacher. Now everyone knows that the labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production. Those who attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
IBEW Bargaining
Our current contract with AT&T expires in 25 days.
Our IBEW bargaining teams met today at both the National and Local tables. Your Union is still awaiting responses from AT&T on several proposals the bargaining teams have made to improve several articles of our existing contract.
Because of the lack of progress in addressing improvements to the Prem Tech Job Title, President/Business Manager Ron Kastner has demanded that the Prem Tech issue be moved to the National Bargaining Table.
AT&T was put on notice late today by President Kastner that the IBEW stands ready to file bad faith bargaining Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against AT&T unless the documentation and data the IBEW bargaining team has requested on benefits is turned over immediately.
Bargaining and our solidarity informational picket actions will resume tomorrow Wednesday June 3rd.
.
Strike Vote Authorization
A strike vote authorization will be taken at the upcoming June IBEW Local 21 unit meetings. All members are encouraged to attend to get the latest bargaining information from your leaders, followed by a strike authorization vote.
LOOKS LIKE ITS NOT GOING WELL FOR THEM EITHER
Our IBEW bargaining teams met today at both the National and Local tables. Your Union is still awaiting responses from AT&T on several proposals the bargaining teams have made to improve several articles of our existing contract.
Because of the lack of progress in addressing improvements to the Prem Tech Job Title, President/Business Manager Ron Kastner has demanded that the Prem Tech issue be moved to the National Bargaining Table.
AT&T was put on notice late today by President Kastner that the IBEW stands ready to file bad faith bargaining Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against AT&T unless the documentation and data the IBEW bargaining team has requested on benefits is turned over immediately.
Bargaining and our solidarity informational picket actions will resume tomorrow Wednesday June 3rd.
.
Strike Vote Authorization
A strike vote authorization will be taken at the upcoming June IBEW Local 21 unit meetings. All members are encouraged to attend to get the latest bargaining information from your leaders, followed by a strike authorization vote.
LOOKS LIKE ITS NOT GOING WELL FOR THEM EITHER
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Why We Wear Red?
In 1989. Along with many of our Union brothers and sisters across the country , CWA was on strike against Bell Atlantic. This strike was successful in providing the language which assured us all the work in the outside plant associated with the fiber network. It was a long 18 day strike but we stood strong and we still enjoy many of the protections that we achieved during that strike.
The company looks at a strike as business as usual and in a very impersonal manner, but this is our livelihood and it effects not just us but our families as well! A strike is never easy and it is always a last resort to protect our future. One of our members walking the picket line was E. Gerald Hogan, chief steward, CWA local 1103. On august 15, 1989, a Thursday morning, Gerry Hogan was killed. His death was a result of injuries he sustained when he was run down by a “scab” as he walked picket duty. The driver of the vehicle which killed him was a manager’s daughter who was working as a “scab” during the strike.
In CWA’s long storied history, Gerry is the only member to be killed on a picket line…
The idea started small, we asked all of our members to wear red on Thursday to remind the company of the blood they had spilled and to show support for our fallen brother. But it quickly spread nation wide as a sign of solidarity. Every Thursday at CWA locations across the country a sea of red has become an ongoing sign of solidarity. Wearing red is a simple but effective way to show the company that we stand together as a Union. We all have personal lives and beliefs but in the workplace every member needs to share the same goal, better wages, benefits, job security, and respect in the workplace.
NO company that we represent can take away the wages and benefits that we have fought so hard to achieve when we stand together. Our solidarity will make these companies prosperous and provide good jobs for generations to come, but ONLY when we stand united.
Solidarity is not just an idea-
It is the belief that together we can protect and improve our way of life!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Spotlight on CWA Local 4900
This week’s spotlight is on the Communications Workers of America Local 4900 in Indiana. This local is stepping up to fight not only for the Employee Free Choice Act, but also for a fair contract of their own from AT&T. https://mail.cwa4900.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://employeefreechoice.typepad.com/in/2009/06/ally-of-the-week-lulac.html
Click the link to view the article
Click the link to view the article
Monday, June 8, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Humpday Horn Check
Seems the horn checks are going well in South Bend. The Prem Techs were advised by Management on Wednesday that checking their horns in the morning would not be tolerated. The Construction techs heard about this and decided their little brothers needed some help. On Thursday morning they drove through the U Verse parking lot and they loose with some honking of their own.
The local Manager was trying to talk our little brothers and took offense to this. He ran through the lot shouting and banging on the company vehicles. The techs would like to thank this this Manager for showing unity with the Union by wearing RED on his FACE.
When will the Company learn a harm to one is a harm to all?
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