The poor union folks were promised unrealistic expectations by their negotiators and now the negotiators are struggling with their ego to even present the best offer to membership. So instead they will keep saying ULP when in reality they just over promised their members. The company is now exploring other legal options due to the union not bargaining with good intentions. Union over played its hand too early and now all leverage with the company. I feel bad for our union workers because they do deserve better working conditions and benefits but there is only so much you can push a company before they snap back. The members need to be pushing the negotiators to present the best offer so you can at least vote on it. Even if you vote it down and are back striking well at least you know what your options were. Currently no member can honestly say where their negotiating team is at. Yesterday they didn’t even do one of their bedtime generic updates.
12 replies (most recent on top)
“ CWA says T is not sending qualified people to the table, people that are not qualified to make decisions,”.
Are they not getting back at all on issues? If anyone expects someone to give a yes or no answer, to questions right then, that have multi year financial implications they are out of their mind. Of course with AT&T’s track record of making long term decisions you would think it would be easy to do.
"Not many CP around"
Not many (any) picketers around my site today, either.
9-15-24 Your bargaining team is currently meeting with the company and we are seeing movement at the table. A more detailed report will follow tomorrow.
Yeah, saw this on another post, but if its not on the main CWAD3.ORG website, then its rumor. Last update was #71 on 9/13.
Today’s grill menu was a NFL tailgate food. Not many CP around so tossing the football around and taking a lunch break from walking, picket signs are in chairs and on metal supports
9-15-24 Your bargaining team is currently meeting with the company and we are seeing movement at the table. A more detailed report will follow tomorrow.
Is there a situation that T can move forward without the union and its members as well as a contract.
My theory is increasing numbers of CWA crossing the line, especially those that can't afford to be out of work for one reason or another. The company will cycle managers in & out of CP assignments to fill any gaps, especially for the easier jobs. They will reprioritize non-essential jobs, and finally, ramp up 3rd party contractor support for more complex work, such as new cable/fiber placement, server & data infrastructure, or power plant maintenance. A lot of industries use those same skills.
When/If we go back how many will leave union and quit paying those dues? Or how many think they are track fighting the good fight for us? Personally, I expected more, more information, more professionalism, better level of representation. CWA clue us in, don't tell us T refuses to talk, don't call them names and expect us to be satisfied with that. CWA says T is not sending qualified people to the table, people that are not qualified to make decisions, that should have told you they were playing games but you didn't see it, I will say the people that get on these threads saw that after the first few days.
To the post "The CWA will eventually accept the offer and do the walk of shame. It is a matter of when, not if." will they? What if T says CWA is failing at a negotiation. They are both pointing fingers stating the same. Is there a situation that T can move forward without the union and its members as well as a contract. Will they take the ones that have crossed? Early on 11% had already crossed I haven't received any update in those numbers, move forward with crossed new employees make offers to the remaining and be done with cwa?
Successful negotiating skills are an art and require intelligence in the approach and execution. Lacking these skills, the CWA Bargaining Team used the I've-got-you-over-the-barrel approach. The company clearly disagreed. The CWA will eventually accept the offer and do the walk of shame. It is a matter of when, not if. The membership is being harmed by their own representatives. Remember the loss you are experiencing now for the next time you have the opportunity to vote for your leadership. Question their qualifications. You are learning now that the CWA of the past is not qualified to represent the CWA of the future.
Truth. CWA Went in with over inflated egos. Town hall so unprofessional, so disorganized. Did CWA lack the same professionalism at the table? Rumor than T had a plan of a total restructure and reorganize, started with retirees, the whole Athene mess, then all the things they took from management, changes with bonuses, mobile offices, separation pay, health insurance. And before we went on strike changes with CO. Rumor, reducing management levels, replacing with a manager with more area, team leaders and AI, which might explain the coaching app that was downloaded on my phone before we went on strike. As well as merging different groups, reducing the number of employees in those groups. Changing the structure of how pensions and retirement is figured as well as wage scales. CWA thought they were going to make improvements in negotiate something similar with the last contract, and what T presented resembled nothing of the last contract. CWA got butt hurt said we will walk, is it what T wanted and expected and "OUR" negotiating team played into their hands? Can't compare us with the West due to the differences and health insurance, the fact West didn't walk, there's either no communication between the two CWA managements and further proof it is not United, T's divide and conquer seems to be working. I'm not trying to be Doom and Gloom or anti-union, I'm a union member and in the past Union proud but that feeling is waning, you're negotiating my future but I don't have a say in it. We aren't in the room, we don't know what's offered from either side we don't know where the sticking points are. We did get one detailed update about health insurance, and CWA should not get irritated by its members because we want details. Heck I don't even know what percentage voted to go on strike is under District 3.
Management on here complaining, or saying we got this, but I know they are exhausted, as we've all pulled those long shifts before but adding salt to the wound not getting paid overtime is horrible. Staying Union strong without information is difficult in this economy, you cut back and figure it out. Everyone's situation is different financially and family, some may be better than me others struggling more. I just hope for more professionalism on both sides to come to an agreement, and maybe include us in some of that information.
"Regarding your previous message, instead of posting condescending remarks, CPs need to start considering finding another job after the strike. The assignment to SE suggests that you are ranked low on your boss's list."
Nope.
Rated highly for years, awarded connection awards, given excellent projects. The only people allowed to be excluded from CP assignments in my group outside of the home area had direct union reports. People with direct union reports all have in-region CP assignments each contract, as their direct reports won't be working during a strike.
With the assistance of my team and boss, I am continuing to do the essential parts of my BAU job, while less pressing things have been put on hold.
Regarding your previous message, instead of posting condescending remarks, CPs need to start considering finding another job after the strike. The assignment to SE suggests that you are ranked low on your boss's list. Therefore, CPs should begin updating their resumes and actively searching for job opportunities back home.
fake news