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Fellow Members,
Please make a note that the November, 2008 meeting has been canceled. That Tuesday may be one of the most important election days many of us have ever seen considering the economic meltdown currently underway in the USA and across the globe. Please take time to research the candidates' positions and please be sure to vote Tuesday November 4. Early voting is in progress now, so if you can't make it to the polls November 4, you can visit Georgia Election Center 2008 to locate your County's early voting site.
Speaking of early, CWA and the Company have reached an agreement that will allow us to begin early bargaining February 16, 2009. Local 3215 will attend a National Bargaining Council meeting and a Southeast (ex-BellSouth) Bargaining Council meeting in late November, 2008. Please be sure to return your bargaining suggestions (printable from the Home page) to the Local no later than November 6, 2008 so they can be processed prior to the Bargaining Council meetings.
The 2004 Working Agreement expires in less than 10 months. I hope you are already making contingency plans (saving money), but if not it really is "better late than never". By the way, the Company has begun making their plans in earnest. CWA and Verizon recently reached a tentative 3 year agreement and the Company immediately issued a statement which many interpreted as "just because they reached an agreement, don't get your hopes up". Take my word folks...it's coming... in August, 2009.
The Company has recently posted an Article 10 letter regarding moving Services Techs to Construction/Engineering for the 1st Mile Initiative. Article 10 allows movement within an exchange and the letter plainly states there will be no changes in places of reporting. Although a Services Tech may voluntarily accept this transfer, it is still considered to be a "Transfer(s)at the Instance of the Company" and Time-in-Title/Time-in-Exchange" are not applicable per Article 12.04E. In the event of a surplus, Services Techs are grouped together by seniority, regardless of whether they report to I&M or C&E. As a side note, this is the first Article 10 "7 Day Notice" I have ever seen (these are normally reserved for Article 12.04 movement), but the past year has produced more "firsts" than my previous 29 years combined That includes the historic National event known as Divestiture (speaking of which, I sure do miss Southern Bell who really was a good Ma). For those who may be too young to remember Divestiture, click ATT-History for an in-depth explanation.
I know how much we all love our new payroll system, elink, due to it's cutting edge technology, accuracy and just plain old user friendliness. (Yes, I'm being a smart*ss). The Company's payroll office personnel will not speak with CWA. The link on our Home Page labeled PAYCHECK/PAYROLL PROBLEM? leads to an email form where you can ask a specific question regarding your payroll issues and hopefully receive an acceptable answer. Should this not occur please be advised that you will need to complete a Grievance Form and fax it to 770-228-3555 as our Local has determined we have no choice but to grieve each and every payroll issue at every step of the grievance process. CWA District 3 has filed an Executive level grievance as well as NLRB charges against the Company related to payroll issues, but there has been no resolution.
This is a very important election year. Please take the time to learn about the issues related to working class people before going to the polls. Click here to learn more about one of these very important issues, the EFCA.
Ethics:a system of moral principles governing the appropriate conduct for an individual or group.[MECD 2001]
Double standard: principle, rule or expectation that is applied unfairly to different groups, one group usually being condemned for the slightest offense while the other is treated far more leniently. [MECD 2001]
Hang in there,
Billy
