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CWA and SBC Begin Bargaining on a Positive Note
The following news release reflects just one element of CWA's overall strategy as we go into bargaining with SBC. Our bargaining plans and strategy result from ongoing discussions and consultation among CWA President Morton Bahr and Vice Presidents Larry Mancino, District 1; Jeff Rechenbach, District 4; Andy Milburn, District 6, and Tony Bixler, District 9, and builds on presentations and discussion from the bargaining council meeting of local union representatives held late last year.
WASHINGTON, D.C. and SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 4, 2004 – Building on a historically good relationship, SBC Communications Inc. and the Communications Workers of America today announced an agreement intended to set a constructive tone for upcoming contract negotiations covering 100,000 workers.
CWA agreed to give SBC 30 days notice before taking any strike action if a settlement isn't reached by contract expiration in early April. In turn, SBC agreed that it would continue providing health care benefits to employees in the event there was a strike. The contract covering SBC West employees expires April 1, and those covering SBC Midwest, SBC Southwest and SBC East employees expire April 3.
The agreement states that, "We share a mutual long-term objective – SBC as a growing and profitable company with good-paying, secure jobs for the employees."
"Over the years we have built a positive relationship based on mutual respect and the understanding of each other's needs," said CWA President Morton Bahr. "We hope to continue that process and to achieve a timely settlement that is fair all the way around."
"This agreement is a demonstration of the durability of our longstanding cooperative relationship with the CWA," SBC Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre said. "Today, more than ever, we must focus on the needs of our customers to ensure our long-term viability in our highly competitive industry."
Whitacre and Bahr agreed that the company and union have some serious issues to resolve at the bargaining table but both pledged to pursue an agreement that is fair to employees and allows the company to compete in a highly competitive market.
Bargaining is scheduled to begin in SBC West on Feb. 12 and in the other regions on Feb. 20 or soon thereafter.
For More Information, Contact: CWA – Jeff Miller, 202-434-1100
and SBC – Larry Solomon, 210-351-3990.
WASHINGTON, D.C. and SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 4, 2004 – Building on a historically good relationship, SBC Communications Inc. and the Communications Workers of America today announced an agreement intended to set a constructive tone for upcoming contract negotiations covering 100,000 workers.
CWA agreed to give SBC 30 days notice before taking any strike action if a settlement isn't reached by contract expiration in early April. In turn, SBC agreed that it would continue providing health care benefits to employees in the event there was a strike. The contract covering SBC West employees expires April 1, and those covering SBC Midwest, SBC Southwest and SBC East employees expire April 3.
The agreement states that, "We share a mutual long-term objective – SBC as a growing and profitable company with good-paying, secure jobs for the employees."
"Over the years we have built a positive relationship based on mutual respect and the understanding of each other's needs," said CWA President Morton Bahr. "We hope to continue that process and to achieve a timely settlement that is fair all the way around."
"This agreement is a demonstration of the durability of our longstanding cooperative relationship with the CWA," SBC Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre said. "Today, more than ever, we must focus on the needs of our customers to ensure our long-term viability in our highly competitive industry."
Whitacre and Bahr agreed that the company and union have some serious issues to resolve at the bargaining table but both pledged to pursue an agreement that is fair to employees and allows the company to compete in a highly competitive market.
Bargaining is scheduled to begin in SBC West on Feb. 12 and in the other regions on Feb. 20 or soon thereafter.
For More Information, Contact: CWA – Jeff Miller, 202-434-1100
and SBC – Larry Solomon, 210-351-3990.