The two committees met up until expiration of the contract. We were unable to reach a tentative agreement by expiration. Some of the issues separating the two sides are wages, health care, job bidding, uniform policy, crossing jurisdictional boundaries, Union rights and responsibilities, arbitration procedures, net credited service, training by seniority, TPA, and [...]]]> Final Bargaining Report

The two committees met up until expiration of the contract. We were unable to reach a tentative agreement by expiration. Some of the issues separating the two sides are wages, health care, job bidding, uniform policy, crossing jurisdictional boundaries, Union rights and responsibilities, arbitration procedures, net credited service, training by seniority, TPA, and elimination of double time pay.
The Union’s committee stands ready to go back to the table with the company. We are committed to achieving a fair contract that benefits both our members and also allows the company the flexibility to continue to be profitable.
Mobilizing activities will be shared with the bargaining unit. We would like full participation. Updates will be posted on the recorder and website as available!
The parties have agreed to continue to follow the current contract until a tentative agreement can be reached.

In Unity and Solidarity,

Today the two committees met to discuss proposals and get clear understandings on issues such as authorized absences, TPA, Uniform policy for face to face contact, and jobs of the future. There was a great deal of discussion around these proposals as well as others that are still on the table. The Union does [...]]]> Bargaining Report #11

Today the two committees met to discuss proposals and get clear understandings on issues such as authorized absences, TPA, Uniform policy for face to face contact, and jobs of the future. There was a great deal of discussion around these proposals as well as others that are still on the table.
The Union does not intend to take any retrogressive language and put it in this contract. So, we are asking the company to take a closer look at what they have passed to see if we can get some movement away from the direction they are headed.
Please meet the bargaining committee and your brothers and sisters at the Jacksonville location in the morning at 7:30. We will be hand billing and will also watch you guys walk in as a solid and united front as we go into these last days of bargaining!

Remember to MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE! Also, sign a Non-Member today! Please wear your red Union shirts on Thursdays! Please wear black on Friday!!

In Unity and Solidarity,
Your CWA Bargaining Committee!

August 5, 2010

TO: NM Politicians and Labor Organizations

FROM: CWA-RMC 70010

RE: Retiree Healthcare Premium Increase

This is to inform you of a situation with our Retiree’s that were employed by Windstream Communications. Effective July 1, 2010 in the states of Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico this [...]]]> Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO
RETIRED MEMBER COUNCIL 70010
1608 Truman SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
505-266-0669

August 5, 2010

TO: NM Politicians and Labor Organizations

FROM: CWA-RMC 70010

RE: Retiree Healthcare Premium Increase

This is to inform you of a situation with our Retiree’s that were employed by Windstream Communications. Effective July 1, 2010 in the states of Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico this company has raised their health insurance premiums from $170.00 to $1,700.00 a month, an increase of about 800%.

Windstream Communications headquarters is located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Joe Harvey is Manager of New Mexico (575-691-9532 phone number). Please have everyone you know cal their State, Federal Representatives & Senators. We believe the company is doing this because of the new healthcare reform bill that was just passed. This is of great concern for us retiree’s every where. If we allow this to go on it will spread like wild fire from one company to another. This is affecting all retiree’s that have worked for all these benefits. Your prompt attention to this situation will be greatly appreciated. Any help and/or support you can give will be of great help. An injury to one is an injury to all.

Information pickets will be conducted on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 7:45 am – 9:45 am at the following locations:
Espanola: 2000 N. Riverside Drive
Ruidoso: 575-937-0509 call for location
Hobbs: Corner of Shipp and Snyder
Carlsbad: 600 S. Main Street

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jimmy Funk, Steward Local 6171, Bernice Romero 505-804-8080, or Kathy Crawley at 505-401-1250, or the union hall at 505-266-0669 and leave a message.

Thank you for your much needed support!

SG/jl/opeiu251-afl-cio

The joint committees did not meet today. The Union’s committee did research on the company’s pending proposals in an effort to look at possible counter proposals to the company’s proposals. We are still hopeful that a tentative agreement can be reached by the expiration on Sunday night. The Union’s committee believes the company [...]]]> Bargaining Report # 9

The joint committees did not meet today. The Union’s committee did research on the company’s pending proposals in an effort to look at possible counter proposals to the company’s proposals. We are still hopeful that a tentative agreement can be reached by the expiration on Sunday night.
The Union’s committee believes the company will have to make movement on some of the retrogressive proposals that are pending.
The two committees will reconvene tomorrow to further discuss these issues in efforts to get an agreement.
Remember to MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE! Also, sign a Non-Member today! Please wear your red Union shirts on Thursdays! Please wear black on Friday!!

In Unity and Solidarity,
Your CWA Bargaining Committee!

The two committees met today in continued efforts to discuss the proposals that have been passed. The company continued their retrogressive actions by letting the Union know that “they did not want to go backwards” and advising us that “what they proposed was important to the company and they have already moved [...]]]> Bargaining Report # 8

The two committees met today in continued efforts to discuss the proposals that have been passed. The company continued their retrogressive actions by letting the Union know that “they did not want to go backwards” and advising us that “what they proposed was important to the company and they have already moved some and needed to see some movement on the part of the Union.” The Union believes that we’ve already given up enough and why should we go backwards if the company doesn’t want to.
Continue to talk with your supervisors to let them know the deadline is near and that enough is enough. WE DON’T WANT TO MOVE BACKWARDS!”
The two committees will reconvene tomorrow to further discuss these issues in efforts to get an agreement.
Remember to MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE! Also, sign a Non-Member today! Please wear your red Union shirts on Thursdays! Please wear black on Friday!!

In Unity and Solidarity,
Your CWA Bargaining Committee!

Bargaining Report # 5 The two committees met today, Tuesday, August 4, 2010, to continue to discuss the proposals. The union spoke in depth with the company and shared its concerns and feelings on the proposals that the company had passed. Neither the Union nor the Company submitted any additional proposals [...]]]> Communications Workers of America
And
CenturyLink of Central Arkansas

Bargaining Report # 5
The two committees met today, Tuesday, August 4, 2010, to continue to discuss the proposals. The union spoke in depth with the company and shared its concerns and feelings on the proposals that the company had passed.
Neither the Union nor the Company submitted any additional proposals today.
The two committees will meet again on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 to continue negotiating.
Be prepared to participate in mobilization.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN UP A NONMEMBER AND WEAR YOUR RED ON THURSDAYS AND BLACK ON FRIDAYS!
In Lasting Unity,
Your CWA Bargaining Committee

The two committees met again on Monday, August 2nd, 2010 to further discuss the proposals. The company responded to the Union’s proposals on Holidays, lowering the premium on health care, card check recognition, 401K, per diems, home dispatch, and subcontracting and transfer of work by rejecting our proposals. The Union passed a proposal [...]]]> Bargaining Report # 4

The two committees met again on Monday, August 2nd, 2010 to further discuss the proposals. The company responded to the Union’s proposals on Holidays, lowering the premium on health care, card check recognition, 401K, per diems, home dispatch, and subcontracting and transfer of work by rejecting our proposals.
The Union passed a proposal on jobs of the future as well. The company agreed to discuss this proposal and respond at a later date.
The two committees will meet again on Tuesday to continue negotiating.
Be prepared to participate in mobilization.

In unity,
The CWA Bargaining Committee