600 AT&T Customer Service Reps Form Union in Dover, N.H.

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AFL-CIO News blog

This just in from Rand Wilson, communications coordinator in the Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO Organizing Department.

Marking the largest private-sector organizing win in New Hampshire in decades, 600 customer service representatives employed by AT&T Government Solutions in Dover formed a new union with Local 1298 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

On Nov. 5, the American Arbitration Association compared union authorization cards signed by employees against a list of employees provided by the employer and certified that a majority of employees designated CWA to represent them. Under a new National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule, after a union is certified through a voluntary “card-check” procedure, if 30 percent of workers ask for another election within 45 days, another election may be held. Since no petition was filed by Dec. 28, the union now is formally recognized.

The workers’ campaign for a union revolved around a strong desire to gain better access to affordable health care, to secure a more livable wage and to strengthen job security. A full-time employee earns less than $22,000 per year and has a $5,000 yearly deductible for a family health plan.

Read more: http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/01/04/600-att-customer-service-reps-form-union-in-dover-nh/

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[nebula]

1. $5k deductible??

what a worthless piece of crap healthplan.

[toopers]

12. There are several choices of health plans at AT&T.

One of them does have a large deductible, but it also covers all of your wellness checkups 100%, and there is no monthly premium. It is not as bad as it sounds.

[Kittycat]

2. That last paragraph is just sickening!

eom

[PSPS]

7. That's putting it mildly!

Back in the day, when there used to be a "Bell System," the CWA was instrumental in getting livable wages and probably one of the best benefit packages of any company for all workers at AT&T as well as all its operating units.

Back in 1980, a TSPS or DA operator could make almost $20K per year plus full medical benefits plus employee stock plan.

To read that now, over 25 years later, employees make the same wage and essentially have no medical coverage ($5K deductible means no coverage at all for 99% of any treatments) is unconscionable.

Randall L. Stephenson, the CEO of AT&T, received over $15 million in compensation in 2006.

Richard G. Lindner, CFO/Senior Executive VP of AT&T, received almost $8 million in compensation in 2006.

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

3. The low annual pay doesn't make sense.

[Omaha Steve]

4. The wages and benefits are PRE contract

What the bargaining unit gets in a contract will be a big improvement!

[annabanana]

5. This is good news. These folks need some muscle

and that's what a union is for!

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. Excellent news

:thumbsup:

[Binka]

8. Go Union Brothers & Sisters GO

The organization of labor is the only way to stop corporate avarice. GO GO GO!!!!!

[MasonJar]

9. In early February I am divesting myself of AT&T forever. I am going to

have my phone through Insight. The nerve of these corporations to divulge their customers' info to the government. We are the customers, paying their salaries. I refuse to finance them in any way. I have not bought gas from Exxon and its affiliates since Exxon Valdez...if only more of you would join me.

[myrna minx]

10. K&R, n.t

[Triana]

11. This is great news. Edwards mentioned AT & T tonight...

...and Costco as "good" companies. Costco - well, OK.

A T & T was mentioned, Edwards said, due to the fact that they supporting the formation of Unions by their employees. I read something about this a while back. I was shocked but it's true.