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September 17, 2007
Dear Activist,
CWA members who are employed by AT&T Video Services in Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas have been working
without a union contract since August 25, 2007.
The richest telecommunications company in the world wants to shift health care costs to its employees. In some cases, employees could pay as much as $3,000 out-of-pocket without anything being paid by AT&T.
CWA believes that it is AT&T's goal to implement these "consumer driven" health care plans and substandard benefit packages into every bargaining agreement. These members at AT&T Video Services said NO. They are the first line of defense for over 30,000 other members who will see these substandard benefit plans proposed in 2009, when the core AT&T Agreement comes up for the next round of bargaining.
Another major issue at Video Services is that our members have been working large amounts of overtime. In this particular contract, there is no limit as to the amount of overtime employees can be forced to work on a weekly or monthly basis. They do not get paid time and one half after 8 hours of work but are required to work 40 hours before receiving any overtime pay. There is also no time and one half for Sunday work, no equalization of overtime and no double time. AT&T refuses to address this issue. Another issue of concern is the new two-tier pension plan that moves new employees to a cash balance plan which eliminates the lump sum option..
The CWA Executive Board authorized a strike subject to the President setting the date. We are asking each of you who are employed by AT&T to contact your Local Union and offer your assistance in mobilizing all CWA members who work for AT&T around these issues and to support your union brothers and sisters that work at AT&T Video Services. If you are not employed by AT&T, stay tuned to your email as we will have activities in the future that will need your participation.
In Unity, 
Andy Milburn
Vice President
AM/bp
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