Starting Monday, AT&T will launch a multimedia campaign to transition the Cingular Wireless brand name into its advertising and customer communications. The campaign will integrate popular imagery, phrases and icons from Cingular's traditional advertising, including the "raising the bar" tagline, the "Jack" character and the color orange.

In the first major move since its acquisition of BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) , AT&T (NYSE: T) is folding the 6-year-old Cingular Wireless brand name into its 100-plus-year-old telecommunications brand.

      Members Cleared to Return To Work
As a result of the changes July 1st in the Jessica Lunsford Act, the School Board reevalueate our Members.  We are working with the company to get everyone back to work as soon as possible.

This Law was supposed to be designed to protect our school children, in turn it  could cost our members their jobs. This new Law gives each School District the ability to disqualify individuals based on their own criteria. It is not being administered justly by the School Boards and each School Board has its own guidelines.
            We will update with any new information as soon as we receive it. This was last updated on 07-13-07 at 3:30PM.

• 01-22-07 CWA Local 3122 was notified of the Supplemental Screening Policy by Roger Puerto (at&t Network General Manager)
• 01-23-07 Local 3122 requested CWA District 3 file multiple executive level grievances.
• 01-24-07 Local 3122 members started to be affected.  We again contacted the District Office.  They advised us they were going to meet with the company on this matter on 02-01-07.  Contacted State Representative Julio Robania and ask if him to help.  He advised us on what could be done to change the law, explaining that it may not occur until May 2007.  We requested the guidelines from the county that they were using to disqualify our members.  We advised our members to file grievances on 3 different issues (improper termination, disparity, failure to accommodate)
• 01-25-07 Julio Robania contacted CWA Local 3122 President Don Abicht, advising him that a Bill had already been put together since I had spoken with him to address our issues with the law.  He also stated many Legislators were trying to get at&t to hold off until this bill could be passed.  The company has not replied.
• 01-26-07 CWA Local 3122 contacted the ACLU about our issues. Local 3122 mailed all the information we had up to that date surrounding the Act to all the stewards.
• 01-27-07 Carlene Sawyer from the ACLU contacted CWA Local 3122 President Don Abicht stating she was interested, but would need the members to present their cases in writing to her so she can review.
• 01-29-07 CWA District 3 continues to try different avenues with the company to no avail.
• 02-01-07 CWA District 3 met with the company today. 5:00PM no information yet.  At the Membership Meeting State Representative Julio Robania advised us that the legislators had ask at&t to delay any action until June.  
• 02-02-07 5:00PM CWA District 3 advised us the company is considering some changes, but we do not have any idea what these changes may be.  They hope to have info/decision by the beginning of next week. We are hoping this will be delaying any action by the company until June.
• 02-05-07 3:00PM The CWA Legal Department at the District Office in Atlanta reviewed the new Florida Senate bill 988 and is urging our members to contact their Legislators and support it. They believe this bill will help our members under the Jessica Lungsford Act.
• 02-07-07 Talks continued at the District 3 between the Union and the Company. Still no decision from the company on what they are willing to do for our members.  We need to continue to bombard our legislators in Tallahassee with our concerns about this law, and suggest changes that will relieve the problems for our members.
• Senator Nancy Argenziano is the sponsor of the Senate Bill (sbo988) which addresses changes in the JLA. If you have concerns or suggestions surrounding the Bill we are asking you to contact her via e-mail to express them.   She can be contacted at argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gv
• 02-09-07 CWA District 3 advised us that the talks with the company  have not broken down over the JLA issues yet, and ask us to be patient until Monday at which time they should have an answer from at&t on if the company is willing to offer any relief for our members.  CWA 3122 would like to help build a support network for those members that have been effected by this law.  Please contact Armando Uranga at the Union Hall if you would like to get involved. 305-232-3122 ext.224

• 02-12-07 Here is a letter we just received via e-mail from CWA District 3. It appears to us that the company is not willing to work with our members on any of the issues.

  FROM: Noah V. Savant

  Vice President

  RE: JESSICA LUNSFORD ACT

  I understand there is a great deal of frustration concerning activities around the Jessica Lunsford Act. I can certainly understand your frustration. We, too, are frustrated.

  I have had numerous conversations with the Company concerning these issues. I have spoken with David Scobey, Bill Smith, and Mike Matthews. Beverly Hicks has also had discussions with Mike Matthews and Salem Shunnarah, and Judy Dennis has had conversations with Salem and John Tragesar.

  I have asked the Company to consider assigning the employees who have not passed the screen to such work as pole transfers, Central Office framework, and assisting in construction operations. I also asked them to let employees remain on their regular jobs and to turn back dispatches that are near a school. We also suggested that they pay employees for a period of time that they are off trying to resolve the issue concerning failing the screen. Although the Company said they would consider these suggestions, they have not yet agreed to any of them. We have followed up on several occasions to remind them that we have employees off the payroll and we need some answers.

  The Company was telling employees who were requesting transfers that they would have to provide information to the selectors as to why they had not passed the screen. We took exception to this practice because we did not believe employees should be giving this information to numerous selectors. The only thing the Company was willing to do was to have the information given to one Labor Relations person. CWA did not agree with this practice either. However, it is our understanding the Company is moving forward in this manner.

  You will be receiving information very shortly concerning a conference call that we will be setting up with all Florida Local Presidents and staff. It is tentatively set for 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Wednesday morning. Once we have all of the information, we will get it to you promptly.

  I apologize that we have not been able to resolve these issues. Unfortunately, we do not have control over when the Company responds to us, however, I can assure you we will keep trying.

• The Miami Dade County School Board Meeting is Wednesday 02-14-07, we are working to have as many people as possible attend to speak about how the School Board's adminstration of the JLA has impacted their lives and families. Contact Armando Uranga ASAP for details. (232-3122  Ext. 224)

• 02-14-07  We had a State wide conference today with Noah Savant/Beverly Hicks at 9:30am to discuss the JLA and Company proposals.  The CWA Legal Team in Atlanta and Washington explored placing an injunction to try and put everything on hold, but discovered this could not be done.  As the above letter states the District has made many suggestions that would help our members to no avail.  The Comp[any has countered with some noncontractual ideas that are being explored today, all would take a Memorandum of Agreement before they could be tried.  We also were being told that the State Legislator was viewing this as only a at&t/Bellsouth issue. We need everyone to employ all their friends and relatives to call their State Legislators and assure them this is not only going to affect at&t/Bellsouth, But other workers and electionsin the future. 

•  At 1:00PM today President Don Abicht was on the Ed Shultz Show, a nationally broadcast radio show and spoke to the backlash our members are suffering because of the JLA.  Please make sure you have filed out any grievances surrounding this issue. To listen to the interview Click Here

•  Don't forget to go to the Miami Dade County Board today, be there at 5:45PM. The address is 1450 N.E. 2nd Ave. 

• We advised last Friday the ACLU in Orlando called a Press Conference that included some of CWA's affected members.  We are asking the members of our local that are affected to please contact our local ACLU here in Miami.

• 02-15-07 Last night at the Miami Dade School Board Meeting CWA local Officers and Members expressed their displeasure on how the School Board is administering the JLA.  The School Board was surprised at how our members have been treated under the law.  Three of the Board Members showed compassion and concern about how our members have been harmed, but the School Board Lawyers said that was what the Law called for.  After some debate we found that we my be able to introduce a motion to change the way the School Board is administering the law, that may help some of our members as well as other workers in the County.  The next School Board Meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23, please keep your calendar open so you can attend this meeting in support of your Union Brother and Sisters if needed. 

• 2-15-07 3:00PM We received a letter from the district clarifying transfers within the State of Florida. 

  TO: All Florida Staff and AT&T Southeast Local Presidents

  FROM: Noah V. Savant

  Vice President

  SUBJECT: Jessica Lunsford Act

  After the conference call yesterday morning I had further discussions with Mike Mathews concerning the impact of the Act. We again discussed the Company’s policy that disqualifies an employee who has failed the screening in one school district from working anywhere in Florida.

  Following our discussions Mike had further discussions with AT&T Network and Legal. The Company is modifying their policy. They are now going to allow employees who have failed to qualify in one school district to move to another area in Florida, where they are qualified under the terms of the working agreement. This means that these employees should put an Article 10 or Article 12 request to areas where they are qualified to work and the Company will honor the request under the terms of the contract.

  At least this is somewhat of a break through. We still cannot get the Company to agree to let employees who work in multiple school district only be assigned work in the districts where they have passed the screen.

• 02-22-07 The date we were given for the special School Board Meeting was incorrect. A meeting was convened on 02-21-07, at which we were unable to get on the agenda. Even though we were not in attendance our lawyer is actively working with the individual School Board Members to persuade them to make changes in their screening policy.  The next School Board is scheduled for 03-14-07, unless a special meeting is called to address our issue prior to regular meeting.  Be assured we will advise every Union Member and their families when we may need to show the School Board that we are not going to give up this fight.      

• An article written by Niala Boodhoo appeared In today's Miami Herald (business section).  The article was very reflective of the injustice our members are having to endure.
• CWA District 3 is still pursuing an MOA trying to gain some relief for our members affected in florida.
• 02-23-07 Today Gail Marie Perry Chairman of the CWA Legislative Council of Florida spoke about the JLA at the Florida Presidents Meeting. She talked on how important it is that we continue to contact our legislators in support of bill SB 988, especially the Speaker of the House Marco Rubio. Please call or write the speaker at the following;
• Phone: 850-488-1450
• Address:
  The Honorable Marco Rubio
  Speaker Florida House of Representatives
  420 The Capitol
  402 South Monroe Street
  Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
• Click here for some writing tips
• 03-06-07 Some relief is on the way, today an MOA was voted on and passed by the CWA Local Presidents in Florida.  Affected employees will be notified as soon as a process is in place (we are being told by certified mail)

  Memorandum of Agreement

  Supplemental Screening

  BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. (the Company) and the Communications Workers of America (the Union) recognize that employees must comply with the Florida state statute, known as the Jessica Lundsford Act, that requires background screening of all employees who may be required to be on school premises as part of their regular job duties.

  The Company and the Union agree to the following:

  Any employee may, in accordance with the Supplemental Screening policy, take an unpaid absence for up to 90 days and their benefits will remain intact.

  Employees who fail to pass the Supplemental Screening required by this act must cooperate by providing appropriate information required by the Company to assist them before any alternatives are considered.

  No combination of alternatives may extend beyond twelve (12) months from the date the Company is advised that an employee did not pass the screen.

  To protect the employee’s continuity of service with the Company and to allow continued employment while these screening discrepancies are being addressed by the employee, the following alternatives may be offered:

  Employees may be allowed to temporarily transfer to other areas identified by the Company. These employees’ seniority will take precedence over others’ seniority for the purposes of application of Article 12.05C. Such transfers will be reviewed by Labor Relations before such transfers are permitted.

  Or

  If a temporary transfer is not available the employee must use any remaining paid time off while resolving issues identified during the screening process unless they enter they PARTNERSHIP Job Bank as described below before any other alternatives are offered.

  Otherwise at the end of the temporary transfer and / or after the employee exhausts all paid time off:

  The employee may enter the PARTNERSHIP Job Bank for the number of weeks provided in Article 24.05D2, and receive termination pay incrementally while participating in the PARTNERSHIP Job Bank (PJB). The termination pay will be based on Article 8.05 C. The employee may exit the PJB by resolving the issue and returning to their previous position or by being selected for a position that does not require the Screen.

  The PJB is offered as an alternative solely to protect an employee’s service while resolving issues associated with the screening process.

  Employees exiting the PJB and returning to a position must repay the termination pay received while in the PJB in the amount not less than 5% or more than 10% of the basic wage per week per month.

  Or

  Eligible employees may take a Personal Leave of Absence that is unpaid for up to twelve (12) months. At the end of the Personal LOA, employees will be granted termination pay if they are not reengaged by the Company.

  The provisions of this memorandum are not retroactive, and are only effective from the date of the agreement. Anyone affected by the Supplemental Screening requirements who has already exhausted their paid time off will be eligible for the provisions of this agreement. This memorandum does not affect or modify any employee’s rights with respect to the grievance or arbitration process.

  Scope:

  All active employees holding titles in Florida subject to the Supplemental Screening requirements.

  Duration:

  This Memorandum of Agreement is for the life of 2004 BST Working Agreement unless terminated or modified by mutual agreement of the parties.

• 03-08-07 Since our last visit to the School Board in February our local lawyer has been working with the Miami Dade County School Board on trying to change the guidelines used to disqualify individuals per the Jessica Lundsford Act.  We are hoping the changes will qualify those that were negatively affected.  Be prepared to attend the next School Board Meeting on Wednesday March 14th. Our brothers and sisters need your support, and remember this law in its current state could affect anyone of us at any time. 

• On Tuesday March 13th at 11:00PM NBC6 will air an interview with some of our members regarding this law, and the way the School Board has administered it.

• 03-09-07 NBC6 contacted us (CWA 3122) to advise us that the airing of the interview above is tentative and thanked us for our patients.  They may want to wait to see how the School Board is going to act on the JLA Wednesday.  Stay tuned for more info. 

• We will continue to work to resolve the issues around the Act.

• 03-14-07 The Miami Dade School Board agreed to reconsider all of our Members that had been previously denied.  This is going to be performed with a 3 member committee to look at each case again, and hopefully treat these cases more with the spirt of the law.

• On 03-19&20-07 the Locals Legislative Committee and Local President were in Tallahassee speaking with the State Legislators to ensure they would support the changes to the law (SB988) that would take our members off an arbitrary list and get them back to work.  They found that the Senate Bill did not have a Companion Bill in the House of Representatives, and would die in committee with out one, and the deadline had passed for any new bills to be brought forth by any Repersenatives.  However we learned that a Bill could be introduced from a Committee Chair.  At which point we approached Representative Dean who is the Chair of the Kindergarden - Grade 12 where SB988 was about to be heard. We were assured by Rep. Dean's Staff that Rep. Dean would introduce a Companion Bill from the Committee.

• There is now a Companion Bill to the Senate Bill.  Remember to continue to contact the Legislators to vote in favor on these Bills.

• 4-05-07 Many of our members are back on the job.  Some of our members have not been cleared in the second appeal, which we do not understand.  We know that if the law changes in July as it is proposed they will no longer be affected.  We would have liked the  Miami Dad School Board to act in unison with that idea, but they did not.  These members may now have to take a temporary transfer, enter the Job Bank, or a leave of absents waiting for the law to change. 

• 4-18-07  We are still waiting on the Company to grant our members any of the MOA choices they have selected.  The delay appears to be with Gail in Atlanta. 

• We are still persuing the Bills in Tallahasse, but we need you help.  Below is an update from CWA Legeslative Person;

• Brothers and Sisters,

  Re: Jessica Lunsford: We need to put a squeeze on calls to the HOUSE (attached) Committee especially the Chairman and the Speaker. This is suppose to be the last week of Committee Meetings and the House Bill 7103 is not on the agenda but of cause the words “suppose to be” have no true meaning up here. Please generate as many calls to the Committee Chairman’s office and the Speaker of the House’s office as y’all can.

  ACTION: call

  Policy & Budget Council Committee Chair Rep. Sansom 850 488-1170 and

  the House Speaker Marco Rubio 850 488-1450

  ASK them to: Please! SUPPORT and AGENDA House Bill 7103.

  ( Pick out one or two points within the paragraph BELOW add a few words of your own, or the plight of a coworker. Always thank the legislator for they do. Sending a letter, faxing or calling is preferable to an email, but any and all will do.)

  Jessica Lunsford glitch bills!

  Support HB 7103

  Honorable Senator / Representative,

  Thank you for your tireless effort for the betterment of the working families of Florida. I am compelled to write to you for your attention regarding an unintended circumstance taking place.

  We, as citizens, as parents, as adults, agree with the premise of the Jessica Lunsford Act: sexual predators must be kept away from our children. Why then does the Act accuse people who have had nothing at all to do with harming children? Why are there different rules in different areas of the state regarding the Act? Why is the State of Florida standing back and allowing injustice, and double jeopardy to cause hardship and job loss for thousands of working middle class men, woman, and families in Florida? It is an outrage that the State of Florida has failed for two years to fix the rule of law to the intent of the Act. Liberty and Justice are at stake for those who have fallen into the cracks of bureaucracy without proper redress. Support the correction of the Jessica Lunsford Act?

• 04-24-07  As a result of the changes at the School Board many of our members affected by the JLA have now returned to work.  There were some members that were still not cleared with the changes made. (we do no understand why, because when the law changes in July they would be cleared under the new rules anyway) Most of them have been givin one of the MOA options while they address thier issues.  Remember to contact the Local for information on any loss time or wages, we will be handling these concerns through the grievance process. 

• 05-02-07 

  Tallahassee Courier

  COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA

  COUNCIL OF FLORIDA

  Thursday, May 03, 2007

  Legislative Session #9

  2 pages

  SB 988 High-risk Offenders Passes the Florida Legislature

  The Jessica Lunsford Glitch Bill is on its way to Governor’s Desk

  Brothers and Sisters,

  Today Wednesday, May 02, 2007 The Florida House of Representatives called for SB 988 to be read a third and final time. Representative Dean explained the bill there were no questions. There was no debate. The final vote was called and SB 988 passed unanimous. The bill now is headed for the governor’s desk and he can take one of three actions.

  1) Sign the bill into law.

  2) Not sign the bill and after an allotted time let the bill pass into law without his signature.

  3) Veto the bill.

  FINAL ACTION:

  Contact the Governor Crist 850 488*4441 Fax: 850 487-0801

  Ask him to SUPPORT SB 988 High-risk Offenders

  http://www.flgov.com

  The Capitol, Plaza Level 05

  400 South Monroe Street

  Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

  Call, and Fax preferable to email, a note on a note card is very affective. When a letter is sent it will become part of the record for the substantiation of the governor’s action. This is the very last action our Council will be asking you to take on this issue. There has been no indication by the Governor’s office of a veto however a veto is never off the table, and that is why your final action is so necessary. Y’all have gotten the bill this far and the strides made by your actions are unprecedented. There was no discussion before the final vote on the floor of the House because of all your effort. CWA Council of Florida is so grateful for your persistence. The passage of this bill should help the majority of the members affected.

  In Unity, Gail Marie Perry, Chairman CWA COUNCIL OF FLORIDA PO BOX 1766 Pompano Bch. Fla. 33061 TEL./CELL 954 850 4055

  See Below

  Jessica Lunsford glitch bills!

  Support HB SB 988

  Honorable Governor Crist,

  Thank you for your tireless effort for the betterment of the working families of Florida. I am compelled to write to you for your attention regarding an unintended circumstance taking place.

  We, as citizens, as parents, as adults, agree with the premise of the Jessica Lunsford Act: sexual predators must be kept away from our children. Why then does the Act accuse people who have had nothing at all to do with harming children? Why are there different rules in different areas of the state regarding the Act? Why is the State of Florida standing back and allowing injustice, and double jeopardy to cause hardship and job loss for thousands of working middle class men, woman, and families in Florida? It is an outrage that the State of Florida has failed for two years to fix the rule of law to the intent of the Act. Liberty and Justice are at stake for those who have fallen into the cracks of bureaucracy without proper redress. Support the correction of the Jessica Lunsford Act?

  Please! pass the Jessica Lunsford glitch bill SB 988 High-risk Offenders

  ( Pick out one or two points within the above paragraph add a few words of your own, or the plight of a coworker .Always thank the legislator for what they do. Sending a letter, faxing or calling is preferable to an email, but any and all will do. )

• ACTION:

  Contact the Governor Crist

  Tel. 850 488-4441            Fax: 850 487-0801

  Ask him to SUPPORT SB 988 High-risk Offenders

  Jessica Lunsford Act glitch bill

  http://www.flgov.com

  The Capitol, Plaza Level 05

  400 South Monroe Street

  Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

• The Governor sign the new Bill on June 20th.  we have contacted our lawyer, and ask him to investigate how the School Board is going to implement the new changes.  There is also a School Board Meeting on July 11th, we my be attending if we do have some answers by the by the 9th of July.

• 7-13-07  Don Abicht (CWA 3122 President) & Armando Uranga (Executive Vice President) attended the Miami Dade County School Board Meeting on Wednesday 7-11-07, thanking them for their help in the past, and ask the School Board to adopt the changes in the Jessica Lunsford Act ASAP.  The School Board voted to adopt the law, and is going to be reevaluate our effected member first.

•  IF you are affected by this law, please feel free to contact a local steward or an area VP for advice.
  
  

    CWA PICNIC ON RAIN OR SHINE
There is going to be a CWA Local 3122 Picnic at the Dade County Metro Zoo on June 3, 2007.  All the locals Members and Families are invited to have a great time.  There will be food, refreshments and music for all.  There will be plenty tables to eat at, but there will be lots of room for your lawn chairs and blankets too.  For tickets you can use the order form in the Locals News Letter or click here to download the one on our web site.  We hope to see all of the animals and you at the Zoo.
If you have not purchased tickets by 5-25-07, and are still interested in attending the picnic you will need to go to the Union Hall in person to get tickets
Remember to bring your sunscreen umbrellas and ponchos.

3rd Quarter Surplus                                                        

Contact Governor Crist and ask him to pass the Jessica Lunsford Glitch Bill SB-988 High Risk Offenders

Jessica Lunsford glitch bills!

Support HB SB 988

Honorable Governor Crist,

Thank you for your tireless effort for the betterment of the working families of Florida. I am compelled to write to you for your attention regarding an unintended circumstance taking place.

We, as citizens, as parents, as adults, agree with the premise of the Jessica Lunsford Act: sexual predators must be kept away from our children. Why then does the Act accuse people who have had nothing at all to do with harming children? Why are there different rules in different areas of the state regarding the Act? Why is the State of Florida standing back and allowing injustice, and double jeopardy to cause hardship and job loss for thousands of working middle class men, woman, and families in Florida? It is an outrage that the State of Florida has failed for two years to fix the rule of law to the intent of the Act. Liberty and Justice are at stake for those who have fallen into the cracks of bureaucracy without proper redress. Support the correction of the Jessica Lunsford Act?

Please! pass the Jessica Lunsford glitch bill SB 988 High-risk Offenders

(Pick out one or two points within the above paragraph add a few words of your own, or the plight of a coworker .Always thank the legislator for what they do. Sending a letter, faxing or calling is preferable to an email, but any and all will do. )

ACTION:

Contact the Governor Crist

Tel. 850 488-4441 Fax: 850 487-0801

Ask him to SUPPORT SB 988 High-risk Offenders

Jessica Lunsford Act glitch bill

http://www.flgov.com

The Capitol, Plaza Level 05

400 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

 STAY INFORMED
Don't forget the Monthly Membership Meetings are the first Thursday of each month. You as members are the most valuable part of the Union, and we would like to be able to keep you informed and involved in the decisions that my affect you.  At each Membership Meeting the members in attendance discuss and vote on motions that my concern you.  We would like everyone to have voice at the Union Meeting, and to accomplish this all you have to do is attend.  After each meeting there is Pizza and Refreshments, oh yea! door prizes too. The Meeting are the First Thursday of the month at 8:00PM.  Hope to see you there, and maybe you will even run into an old friend.  Remember with out U there is no UNION.

                    Premise Tech. 
          Voted Down

         It was overwhelming to hear the message we sent to the company.  The vote to deny the Premise Tech. was taken at 2:45PM on Thursday Sept. 20, 2007.  The count was 87 to 8, defeating the MOA, and letting the company know that we are not going to forget the passed or give up our future.  Thanks to all the Presidents who followed the wishes of their members to vote this down.

CWA Presidential E-Poll Up and Running

CWA's first-ever online poll asking members and retirees to tell the Executive Board which candidate the union should endorse for U.S. president is up and running, and locals are urged to get the word out.

"We want our local leaders to rally members to go to the polls – online polls in this case – with the same energy and enthusiasm we bring to state and national elections," CWA President Larry Cohen said.

The goal is for every local to have at least 10 percent of its members vote online at www.CWAVotes.org. CWA headquarters will send updates to locals about how many of their members have voted as of Oct. 17 and Oct. 30, as well as a third tally on Nov. 13. The voting deadline is Nov. 9. Locals are urged to use websites and e-mail lists, to post flyers about the e-poll in workplaces and use their mobilization structure to get the word out.

In the e-poll, CWAers are asked to check whether or not they think CWA should make an endorsement before the primaries are held next year, and to select the candidates of their choice.

The website includes answers to CWA questions on key issues from seven of the eight Democratic candidates for president -- Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson. Candidate Mike Gravel didn't respond, nor did any of the Republican candidates, despite repeated requests to their campaign offices.

All candidates from both major parties received letters from the Executive Board asking them about their commitment to the Employee Free Choice Act, their specific plans for health care reform and how they would retain and increase American jobs and reduce the trade deficit.

Shorter versions of the candidates' responses, reduced because of space restrictions, will appear in the upcoming issue of the CWA News, which will be in the mail in mid-October.

CWAVotes.org also includes a form members can use to post their own questions for candidates. They can also sign up for training to help them present the views of working America in the fast-growing world of political blogs.

Cohen and CWA Executive Vice President Jeff Rechenbach said they are counting on local leaders to make the CWAVotes.org project a success by getting as many members involved as possible.

"This historic opportunity to help shape our presidential endorsement represents CWA democracy at work," Rechenbach said. "Help bring back bargaining rights in the United States, win the fight for real health care reform, and create policies that support American jobs by making our voice heard."

4 million more children will have access

to health care if Congress reauthorizes the Children’s

Health Insurance Program. 6.6 million children

will be at risk of losing their health insurance if the

The time is now for Congress to stand up to thepresident and override
his veto if necessary. A mere extension of the current State Children’s
HealthInsurance Program (SCHIP) puts millions of eligible children at
risk of losing their coverage. The reauthorization of SCHIP must bring
coverage to at least 4 million uninsured children. Congress must stand
with children, not the president, and support a strong SCHIP bill that
gets children the health care they need. Phone your senators and
representatives and urge them to support health care for America’s
children and say “NO” to President Bush’s veto.

Initial Bargaining Strategy

for AT&T 2009

March 3, 2008

To: All AT&T Local Presidents

Subject: AT&T 2009 Bargaining -- Initial Strategy

Dear Colleagues:

You have all probably heard the phrase, "Everything old is new again." In the case of AT&T, the "old" was a monopoly often called 'Ma Bell,' that is, until 1983 when divestiture broke up 'Ma' into seven baby bells. Today, the "new" is a reuniting of 'Ma' and four of her babies, recreating the largest telecommunications company in the United States, and renaming it "the New AT&T."

Our next round of bargaining with the "new" AT&T brings with it challenges and opportunities that we have never experienced before. On the surface it may appear to be a recreation of the old Bell System, but unlike the "old," the "new" AT&T is no longer operating in a monopolistic environment. Rapid changes to technology and fierce competition, basically from nonunion cable companies, are causing not only the "new" AT&T, but us, to think about new, non-traditional ways to deal with our issues. Our success will require careful planning, the development of innovative strategies and unification amongst all of us.

With this goal in mind, we have developed and adopted the following initial strategies for the 2009 "core" AT&T negotiations that we believe starts us on a path toward a winning end:

• We will establish a 2009 “Core” Committee which will include one Local Bargaining Committee member from each of the “core” negotiations tables (former BellSouth, Southwestern Bell, PacTel, Ameritech, AT&T (Legacy), and Southern New England) and the respective District/Sector Vice Presidents, or their designee. Since we do not yet know if there will be a national common issues table with the company, the initial responsibility of this committee will be that of an advisory group.
  
  
• We will develop and implement AT&T specific projects funded under the new Telecom SIF.
  
  
• We will create a National AT&T Mobilization Committee.
  
  
• We will begin research and develop data compilation for key demands of wages, benefits and working conditions.
  
  
• We will identify and pursue AT&T jobs that are currently performed as nonunion or non-represented.
  
  
• We will institute ongoing coordination preparation with District/Sector Bargaining Coordinators.
  
  
• We will arrange pre-bargaining training and discussions with the 2009 “Core” Committee members.
  
  
• We will schedule an AT&T “Core” Bargaining Council Meeting in the fourth quarter of 2008.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, and this is only the beginning. But, unlike “the new AT&T,” we have always been one CWA . . . and that’s what will make the difference!

In Unity,

c: Telecom Vice Presidents
Telecom Staff

CWA National Chat Forum

Check out the new CWA Chat Forum. A fantastic way to interface with other CWA Districts and Locals across the country. With the Contracts nearing expiration this is a great opportunity to make sure all our issues are address equally across the country. You can visit at CWA Chat

Don’t take for granted that your concerns are being addressed by others. Take this opportunity to get involved, let your voice be heard.

CWA Picnic

June 28-29, 2008

After being ready to meet with the company all day Saturday, we were called late in the evening and advised that the Company was not prepared to meet with us.

The Union and Company committees did meet several times on Sunday afternoon and evening. We raised multiple concerns over the Company's counter proposal that they put across the table.  It is unbelievable, but their counter is actually worse than their first proposal!  The Company still cannot justify their proposed cost shifting and the financial burden they want to place on our members.

We only have one more day to meet, and we are still very far apart from reaching a tentative agreement.

CWA/AT&T MOBILITY BENEFITS

BARGAINING REPORT 

June 16, 2008

 The Bargaining Committee met again with the Company on Friday with demands that they provide outstanding data still owed to us.  It is still apparent that we are the only ones who came to this table to look for possible solutions to what the Company says, but can't show, are problems with the current health care plan.  Instead, the Company wants us to simply put forward another proposal with "shot in the dark" ingredients of retrogression!  But we are not interested in giving into the astronomically impacting demand the Company proposed on June 4!

The Company's suggestion that, for a family, an employee who earns the average salary within Mobility today should have to pay out more than 17 percent of their annual income before the plan kicks in is insane, let alone unreasonable and immoral!  We feel that the Company has wasted enough time avoiding the questions and they need to get serious if we have any chance at reaching a tentative agreement!  They need to DO THE RIGHT THING!

The Bargaining Committee appreciates all of the support you have shown!!

Bargaining has been recessed and will reconvene on June 27.

CWA/AT&T MOBILITY BENEFITS

BARGAINING REPORT 

June 13, 2008

 The Bargaining Committee met with the Company late into the night with questions and challenges about some of the data they have thus far provided.  But the Company's responses continue to be meager and evasive and have yet to substantiate a financial need to shift a significant amount of health care costs onto the backs of our hard working members! In spite of us continually asking the question, they have yet to even identify anything specific in the current plan they believe to be their problem high cost areas. All they can say is that the Union's proposal goes in the wrong direction! 

We have come to these negotiations with the goal of reaching an agreement by June 30, but it appears that the Company did not.  Could it be they are hiding behind the buzz on health care to simply force our members to pay more?

We say it's time, AT&T, that you put your money where your mouth is.  Start working with us and give us the tools we need in order to find viable solutions to possible problems. . . . we have never been afraid of a little hard work!

CWA/AT&T MOBILITY BENEFITS

BARGAINING REPORT 

June 11, 2008

 The CWA Bargaining Committee met with the Company yesterday in another intense session of negotiations.  In spite of several hours of questioning the Company on some of the data they have provided us, we are still not hearing anything that substantiates their claim that the Union's proposal puts an insurmountable financial burden on them.

The Union still has many more questions that need to be answered by the Company.  Bargaining will resume again today.

The Committee appreciates your continued support.

BARGAINING REPORT 

June 7, 2008

 The Union and Company committees met yesterday after spending Thursday carefully studying data provided by the Company. 

We had many questions for the Company about items in their data and the Company agreed to provide answers as soon as they get them researched.  We also have challenged the Company to substantiate their claims that our proposal represents a 60 percent increase to their initial costs.  We feel that we have offered a comprehensive and fair health care proposal that is affordable for the Company and that our members deserve.  Despite what the Company message to employees may have stated, at this point, it doesn't appear to us they are serious about trying to reach an agreement by June 30th. 

We have recessed negotiations pending the Company's call with answers to our many questions.

                            More Local Voting Options                
 
At the August Membership Meeting a Bylaws change was approved by the Membership to allow the addition of electronic and phone voting as options in the local elections.  You can learn more about the prosess by clicking here, this will take you to one of the companies that offer these services.  

HEALTH CARE REFORM

This past year, CWA has been on a nationwide campaign for health care reform. The

goal is to have a health care system enacted that will guarantee a high quality, cost controlled, and broad-based financed plan with strong government support that will cover all Americans.

1 in 4 Americans have no medical insurance

1 in 3 Americans delay medical treatments because they can’t afford the cost

In 2006 8.7 million children had no health insurance

23% of home foreclosures are due to unaffordable medical bills

We have been fortunate that through bargained benefits we have not had to worry about these issues, even after retirement of a certain age and time. Our benefits are only as good as our negotiated contract, and could be changed or taken away entirely.

Health care in our country is a critical issue that affects all of us. Although CWA has made great progress preparing for a change, it goes beyond bargaining and CWA. We need to elect leaders who support these issues as well as letting our voices be heard.

If you have not signed a health care post card addressed to your congressman, please do so by accessing the following website: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/healthcarepostcard/.

LOCAL OFFICER ELECTIONS UPDATE

Polls opened on September 30, 2008 at 12:01am est. and will close on October 20, 2008 10am est. for the following positions: (only people eligible to vote for the following positions will receive ballot instructions.)

South Area Network Vice President

Candidates:

Gus Bouza

Orlando Ortega, Jr.

AT&T Advertising and Publishing

Candidates:

Jay Smith

Joseph Velez

You should receiving your Notice of Election and voting instructions within the week of September 29, 2008.

The following officer positions ran unopposed and have been won by acclamation

President Donald Abicht

Executive Vice President Armando Uranga

First Vice President Michael Sullivan

Secretary-Treasurer Yoel Gonzalez

Consumer-Headquarters Vice President Ana Lazarte

Operator Services Vice President Gloria Blanco

North Area Network Vice President Yates Fullbright

Central Area Network Vice President Glenda Abicht

AT&T Mobility Vice President Hector Capote

If you do not receive your Notice of Election and voting instructions by October 7, 2008, please call the Election Committee at 305 232-7764.

Tentative Certificate of Election Results
                                                                                     

Do Not Call List for Cell Phones

REMINDER....all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number... HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS. It takes about 20 seconds.

Please pass around the information. OR go to: http://www.donotcall.gov/

At&t Scholarship Program

The AT&T, CWA, IBEW Academic Awards Program for the 2009/2010 school year is now available for children of employees covered under the Legacy AT&T 2005 AT&T, CWA, IBEW Operations Bargaining Agreements. Applications will be accepted online only at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/atta. The Company will award 28 new scholarships under the Academic Awards Program for the 2009/2010 school year.  An additional scholarship program is also available for your CWA and IBEW members. Children and step-children of all active AT&T employees may apply to the AT&T Scholarship Foundation Program. Applications for this program will be accepted online only at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/attfoundation. The Company will award 630 new scholarships under the AT&T Foundation Scholarship Program for the 2009/2010 school year.  Scholarship applicants eligible to participate in the AT&T, CWA, IBEW Academic Awards Program and the AT&T Foundation Scholarship Program may apply to both programs. However, they may receive only one scholarship award. Applicants selected to receive scholarships under both programs will receive a scholarship award from the program that provides the highest award amount.  The application timeframe for both scholarship programs runs from November 1, 2008 through February 15, 2009. Therefore, I would ask that you not post this information to your websites until Monday, November 3, 2008.  Details regarding the AT&T scholarship programs can be found on the above program websites.