BARGAINING UPDATES: AT&T Mobility | Orange Contract Bargaining

The Orange Bargaining Committee continues to meet with the Company. The Company still seems to have their head in the sand when it comes to what you need in terms of fair compensation. We have said many times how the Company is trying to shift costs to you in terms of benefits, and now they have offered completely unacceptable wage increases. Workers throughout this country have been affected by inflation and increasing health care costs, but AT&T continues to have record profits because of the hard work that you do. Wages are rising all over the country, but AT&T would rather offer their employees wages increases that are far from what you deserve. Wages and benefits affect everyone covered by the Orange Contract, and we will continue to fight until we get what is fair.

We hope everyone has been participating in mobilization activities and continues to do so moving forward. We need to let the company know we are not going anywhere until we get what you deserve. Please stay in touch with your local for the latest mobilization activities.

Stay Mobilized! Stay Informed! Check out https://cwad1.org/att-mobility for the latest bargaining reports. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES 

Build Broadband Better Town Hall: The federal infrastructure bill will provide billions of dollars for broadband buildout - but how that money is spent is up to state legislatures. We need to fight for strong labor standards that make sure the right people are getting the job done… US! 

On March 24th Nick Hoh (Local 1104), Tom Roulley (Local 1122), Kim Edwards (Local 1298), and Joe Tarulli (Local 1102) led an excellent Virtual Town Hall to discuss the challenges and opportunities we’re facing and our fight for strong labor standards that will ensure broadband is built by well trained union workers. We also learned more about the CWA Political Action Fund and how our members’ contributions lead directly to huge victories for workers. 

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor kicked off members from District 1, saying, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could mean more work for our members and a major investment in our future. Thanks to the hard work of you, our members, the federal infrastructure bill included over $65 billion dedicated to broadband. We need to make sure this money goes to our union employers who can get the job done right.”  

Over 100 CWAers from District 1 - as well as several from other CWA Districts throughout the country - joined the call to learn more about our campaign to build broadband better, and about how to get involved.

Click here to watch the presentation.

Download the presentation slides here.

Press Conference For Broadband Legislation In New York: Last week CWA Local 1118 joined NYS Senator Sean Ryan and Assemblymember Nily Rozic on the steps of the New York Capitol in Albany to call for strong labor standards attached to any public funding for broadband work. Assemblymember Amy Paulin also spoke, as well as representatives from AARP and Citizen Action NY, to speak about the need for quality broadband for all New Yorkers.

"If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that high-speed, reliable broadband is essential to daily life in NY. Adding labor and quality standards are essential in providing broadband service to all consumers." - AM Nily Rozic

“We’ve seen directly the digital divide - how substandard broadband service impacts communities throughout New York State. Our workforce is the most highly competent, skilled workforce in the world to maintain and build these networks. We urge the Senate, we urge the Assembly to demand these standards in the new budget.” - John Van Denburgh III

Click here to watch the press conference.

Op-Ed by District 1 VP Dennis Trainor: “Broadband network should be built by union workers”: "We cannot cut a blank check and trust the work will get done efficiently. It is on the state to make sure that the significant public funding proposed in the FY2023 budget comes with the right protections attached to ensure high-quality networks to deliver high-speed, reliable broadband and good jobs in the industry. Let’s make sure this money is put to good use so all New Yorkers get connected."

Read the full op-ed here.