CommunicationsWorkersOfAmerica
Latest
Bernie Sanders joins Verizon union workers' picket in NYC
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders put his campaign where his mouth is on Monday when he spoke at a picket line with Verizon union workers in New York City. Communication Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers organized the picket, which aims to bolster support for 40,000 Verizon employees nationwide as they continue a months-long contract battle with the communication giant. In June, Verizon proposed a new union contract, but CWA takes issue with some of its key points, including suggested pay increases, the structure of pension benefits, health care contributions, whether Verizon can contract out or offshore union jobs, and employees' vacation time. The union also criticizes Verizon for failing to implement its FiOS service in promised regions.
T-Mobile found guilty of blocking employees from organizing
The CWA (Communications Workers of America) is celebrating today after a judge found T-Mobile guilty of violating federal labor laws. The company was found to have illegally restricted employees from organizing or even discussing work issues with each other. Judge Christine Dibble cited the company's policies that barred workers from discussing their wages and working conditions, and their repeated efforts to discourage them from reaching out outside organizations for help. As an example, she highlighted the procedure for filing a wage and hour complaint, which requires the notification of management first, and threatens discipline if the rule is broken. That would prevent employees from banding together to address issues collectively. Of the 13 policies brought before the court, 11 of them were found to be illegal and they must be reversed immediately. All employees must also be notified that these policies violated the law.
AT&T, Communications Workers of America reach tentative agreement, strike (currently) averted
It looks like that AT&T strike authorized by the Communications Workers of America back in early February won't be coming to fruition. The two have reached a tentative agreement for the around 20,000 unionized workers that have been in contract negotiations. For its part, AT&T's expressed satisfaction with the agreement, but it still has to be submitted for approval by ratification vote from the CWA group members. Of course, should they vote nay, we'll be back to square one. This isn't over yet, so stay tuned.
Communications Workers of America authorizes strike of 20,000 AT&T workers, could happen soon
It's been a little under the radar, but AT&T Mobility's been in contract talks with the Communications Workers of America on behalf of some 20,000 unionized workers, and things haven't been going so well -- in fact, the CWA just voted to authorize a strike if upcoming negotiations don't improve. The union's current contract actually expires tonight at midnight, but the strike won't take place until the union's executive board approves and the CWA president sets a date. For its part, AT&T says it maintains a good relationship with its unions -- it has more unionized workers than any other carrier -- and that the vote is just another part of the process, but that it's prepared for all contingencies, including a strike. We'll see what happens, stay tuned.
