"We hung tough, the membership hung tough, we had the support of national, and AT&T knew it and finally realized that 'we're not going to get these guys to move,'" Local 1298 President Bill Henderson said.

The two tentative contracts, one for nearly 3,400 core employees and the other for 176 yellow page workers, are the last in the round of bargaining that CWA and AT&T began at tables nationwide in 2009. Ratification ballots will be sent to members on Monday and must be returned by Sept. 7.

Both of the 1298 agreements require AT&T to keep at least 84 percent of the represented jobs in Connecticut. "It's not everything we wanted, but it's big for us and we can build on it in the future," Henderson said.

CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton praised the negotiating team. "The bargaining committee stayed focused and devoted themselves to getting a just contract for the members and I thank them, my assistant Dennis Trainor and Staff Representative Pat Telesco for their work and dedication," he said.

You have the right to Union representation.

You have the right to consultation with representation prior to meeting with management.

You have the right to remain silent until your Union representative is present.

You have the right to know the topic of the meeting/investigation.

Make sure you let them know and make sure you express these rights whenever something is brought or asked of you that could result in discipline.

You are not being insubordinate in practicing these rights.

Union united we will stand strong.

JJ Hewitt VP Verizon Unit CWA9510

EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- 911 ETC, a national leader in providing E911 solutions to businesses, schools, and government, announced today that CrisisConnect™ is certified Compliant with the Avaya Aura™ Communication Manager from Avaya, a global leader in enterprise communication systems, software and services.

911 ETC's Crisis Connect™ helps businesses implement and maintain E911 for both VoIP and multi-line telephone systems, which ensures accurate location information for outgoing 911 calls. "As a DevConnect member since 2005, the ability to develop and test our hosted platform in a cost-effective and efficient manner using Avaya Aura Communication Manager has been beneficial for our business model," said Larry Scott, president of 911 ETC, in a statement. "In doing so, we've been able to develop our product with the ability to integrate with the latest in telecommunications technology. It has given our customers peace of mind knowing that we work closely with Avaya engineers to ensure a perfect fit."

"The interoperability between 911 ETC's SaaS solution and Avaya Aura solutions continues to provide our customers with a cost effective, yet comprehensive E911 solution. As our customers consolidate, flatten, and extend their networks the E-911 application needs to evolve as well and 911 ETC provides the needed solution," said Eric Rossman, vice president, developer relations, Avaya.

The DevConnect program is an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company's investment in its new network. 911 ETC has been a gold member of the program since 2005.

Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T Mobility, recently called the plan a "reasonable framework." Later, Joan Marsh, AT&T's Vice President of Federal Regulatory, wrote about the proposal and the need for unregulated wireless networks on the company's public policy blog. "Wireless carriers must to [sic] be able to dynamically manage traffic and operate their networks in an environment free from burdensome, arbitrary and unnecessary regulations," Marsh said.

The Google-Verizon plan, which has drawn critics as well, calls for making the Internet we know today completely neutral for lawful content. This means carriers could not discriminate against or restrict different types of (lawful) data from running through its broadband network. However, the plan would leave wireless networks out of the debate, and allow broadband providers to offer non-neutral specialized broadband services such as medical health monitoring and entertainment content.

AT&T has long been an opponent of net neutrality, arguing there is little evidence that broadband providers needs to be regulated. The company has considered using filtering tools to detect pirated material on its network. AT&T has also urged employees to send personal letters to the Federal Communications Commission arguing against net neutrality.

Despite previous actions, it isn't that surprising the company would approve of the Google-Verizon framework. That's because by the end of 2009, AT&T changed its position on net neutrality. In fact, it had adopted at least one view similar to those found in the Google-Verizon proposal.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, AT&T said, "preserving the open character of the Internet is critically important." However, unlike Google and Verizon, AT&T wanted the FCC to address complaints of anticompetitive or discriminatory behavior on a case-by-case basis instead of applying a "strict nondiscrimination standard." Broad net neutrality rules, AT&T argued, could "ban voluntary commercial agreements for...certain value-added broadband services." You can read the entire letter here (PDF)

AT&T's reference to "value-added broadband services" is similar to Google and Verizon's call to have a non-neutral broadband network for "additional, differentiated online services." As mentioned earlier, such services could include health care monitoring, educational tools, gaming, and other forms of entertainment content.That means they could charge you more for accessing the net for those functions.

Considering AT&T's previous calls against regulating private broadband services (not to mention it's clear interest in having an unregulated wireless network) it's no surprise that AT&T likes what the Google-Verizon plan offers. But the company hasn't signed on entirely; its support is preliminary, not a Verizon-Google-AT&T net neutrality proposal.

Ian Paul, PC World

Aug 16, 2010 9:09 am

Watch Cohen's full address here, including the remarks by Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter who with CWA members' support nearly defeated incumbent Senator Blanche Lincoln.

"CWAers and working families are living through some tough times. But we need to keep our eyes on the prize, hold on to our values, our union and our movement at a critical and difficult time. It's not hopeless, just hard. And we've done hard before.

"New coalition action is critical to rebuilding our movement. With 7 percent bargaining coverage in the private sector, labor alone cannot move our agenda. Fortunately, others pushing for change realize they need partners as well. Civil rights, environmental groups, community organizations, immigrant rights groups, more than 170 groups in all, are working together under the banner of "One Nation" and our Board has endorsed and joined along with the AFL-CIO.

"Our strategy of independent political action also means that we develop new allies. In addition to 'One Nation' and NAACP, we are working with the Sierra Club to bring one gigabit Internet connections to rural town and their anchor institutions - schools, hospitals and libraries. We need a combination of public and private sector investment so our members can build, maintain and support the networks of the 21st century.

"We're asking this convention to send a clear signal to the U.S. Senate - stand with us for democracy and workers' rights and we will stand with you. But if you run for office defending these rules, we will not work for you and we will look for candidates who will work with us.

"And we're moving to build a strong coalition with all these partners and key elected officials to change the archaic Senate rules. The threat of a filibuster keeps blocking majority action on everything. A simple majority of the Senate next January can adopt democratic rules where, after reasonable debate, a majority can act on nominations and on legislation including our priority issues. This is not a revolution, this is just basic fairness and democracy and it is within reach."

"It's not hopeless, just hard, and we've done hard before."

NABET-CWA technicians at Omaha's KETV Channel 7 are fighting for a fair contract that prevents the Hearst-owned station from unilaterally turning full-time jobs into part-time work.
Three years ago, when the last contract was negotiated, the bargaining unit had 17 full-time and five part-time technicians. Since then, six full-timers have lost their jobs and the number of part-timers has more than doubled.
Management is attacking job security provisions negotiated in the last contract and wants to limit NABET-CWA's jurisdiction over existing work.
The KETV workers, who just merged their Omaha local with Local 54041 in Chicago, are wearing red shirts to show solidarity. A website, www.7canthelp.tv, and bus bench ads are making sure that the public gets the message.
The unit bargained this week with a federal mediator and more sessions are schedule in late August.
Boarman Nomination as Public Printer Cleared for Senate Action
The nomination of William Boarman, president of CWA's Printing, Publishing & Media Workers Sector, to become the nation's next Public Printer was approved by the Senate Rules Committee and sent to the full Senate.
Upon confirmation by the Senate, Boarman would serve as the chief executive officer of the Government Printing Office, which publishes thousands of documents every year for the federal government.
Boarman was nominated by President Obama in April but his nomination has been slowed because of the Senate's broken procedures. Filibusters by Republican leaders and secret holds by anonymous senators attached to nominees at every level have virtually brought the process to a halt. Usually, all but the highest level of presidential nominees have been confirmed by unanimous consent in the Senate, but unanimous consent is nearly impossible in this Congress and an objection by a single senator requires a cloture vote to cut off debate.
CWA President Larry Cohen said CWA's legislative staff worked hard to get the nomination cleared by the Senate Rules committee. "We celebrate not only the vote for Bill, but our growing legislative and political clout and work," he said.
New Report Looks at Union-Building and Young Activists
A new report by the Berger-Marks Foundation offers a "top ten list" to help unions attract and keep a new generation of workers, especially women members.
"Stepping Up, Stepping Back: Women 'Talk Union' Across Generations" provides some very specific suggestions to help increase activism and leadership among young workers, especially women. Download the report here.
The report is based on discussion among 30 women leaders who attended a "summit" in New Orleans; they came from more than 20 different unions and other organizations.
Recommendations included more training programs so that young workers can learn how to 'talk union' with their peers, eradicating sexual harassment and sexism, and more decision-making involvement and opportunity for young activists.
The Berger-Marks Foundation was established with a bequest from the estates of Edna Berger, the first female lead organizer for The Newspaper Guild-CWA, and her husband, the legendary Tin Pan Alley song-writer Gerald Marks. It seeks to bring the benefits of unionization to working women and to assist organizations committed to those principles.
Go to www.bergermarks.org for more information.

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GOP House Members Press Deutsche Telekom on Workers' Rights in U.S.
Seven Republican members of Congress have signed a letter to Deutsche Telekom chief executive officer Rene Olbermann calling on the company to "follow the same, fair policies at your U.S. subsidiary as at Deutsche Telekom" with regard to workers' rights to decide for themselves, free from management interference, whether they want to organize and bargain collectively.

The letter expressed concern that DT's approach to employees at its American subsidiary does not place an equal value on respect for workers' rights. "We believe that respecting those rights is one important step in ensuring that economic recovery is fair and sustainable," they wrote.
The signers are Steven LaTourette, R-14th, Ohio; Candice S. Miller, R-10th, Mich.; Frank Lo Biondo, R-2nd, N.J.; Patrick Tiberi, R-12th, Ohio; Thadeus McCotter, R-11th, Mich.; Christopher Smith, R-4th, N.J.; and Tim Murphy, R-18th, Pa.

The letter is similar to one sent to Olbermann in May by 24 Democratic members of the House Education and Labor Committee.

NABET-CWA Members Stand Firm as Contract Fight Heads to Mediation

Kenny Distance, a member of the NABET-CWA bargaining team at PBS, grills hot dogs for his colleagues outside the network's facilities in Springfield, Va.

NABET-CWA has been in tough bargaining with PBS, the nation's public broadcasting network, for a new contract covering some 50 technicians, editors and satellite workers, members of Local 52031. The previous contract expired at the end of June.

NABET-CWA members have been mobilizing and that show of solidarity, including red shirt days and "hot dog Wednesdays" caused the network's chief negotiator to walk away from bargaining. Negotiations will resume July 13 with a federal mediator.

Management demands include changes in shift selection, job titles and cuts in pay differentials. The network says it won't raise wages this year and is offering just 1 percent next year and 2 percent in 2012.

Sign Up Now for CWA's Civil Rights and Equity Conference

CWA's National Committee on Equity has put together a special program for this year's civil rights and equity conference in New Orleans.

The three day meeting will include hands-on sessions on how to build local civil rights and equity committees, a status report on coalition building with national groups like the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the NAACP, and discussion around key civil rights issues for CWAers.
It also will focus on the hardships still facing victims of Hurricane Katrina and how CWAers have been working to help restore this community.

The conference will be held at the Loews New Orleans Hotel, beginning Friday evening, Sept. 24 through Sunday Sept. 26. For registration and hotel information, go here.

Biggest Ever COPE Contest Underway

CWA's COPE contest is really taking off. Just since May, when the contest began, there's been an increase of $30,244 for COPE, from new contributors or increased contributions. So far, District 6 is leading the contest with the most cards.

Every District and Sector that meets the minimum quota for a 5 percent increase in giving will hold a drawing among those CWA members who have signed up or increased their COPE contributions. Districts or sectors that don't reach the 5 percent mark will hold a combined drawing. CWA will award up to eight top prizes of a trip for two to Las Vegas, including airfare and two nights' hotel accommodation.

Any CWAer who becomes a new contributor or increases her or his weekly contributions by $1 will get a COPE t-shirt.
The contest runs until October and the winners will be announced on Election Day, Nov. 2.

West Virginia CWA Members Honor Byrd in Memorial Procession

CWA members in Charleston, W.Va., join a memorial tribute to Senator Robert Byrd.

Scores of red-shirted CWA members honored the life of West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd on July 2, joining a somber march behind a horse-drawn caisson that ended at a memorial service at Charleston's statehouse.
Byrd, who cared deeply about workers and the struggles of working families, died at age 92, after serving a record 51 years in the U.S. Senate. In addition to CWA members and other trade unionists, President Obama, Vice President Biden, President Bill Clinton and elected officials from both parties attended the memorial service to remember Byrd.
Senator Edward Kennedy's widow, Victoria, spoke, recalling the moment last Christmas Eve when Byrd made his way to the Senate floor to vote for health care reform. "I was in the gallery, and tears flowed down my cheeks when he said, 'Mr. President, this is for my friend, Ted Kennedy,'" she said.