As you know, yesterday we reached a new tentative agreement with AT&T for employees in BST.  The bargaining team worked very hard last week and weekend to negotiate some changes addressing the concerns you shared with us after the original agreement did not ratify. 

The first thing I want to make sure you know is that YOU MUST VOTE to make your voice heard.  Failure to vote is no vote at all and doesn’t count for or against the agreement. 

The second thing is that we have changed the voting process (for this vote ONLY) and have made it easier for you to vote.  CWA headquarters in Washington has agreed to mail each of you a ballot to your home and to pick up the cost.  Each ballot will contain a stamped envelope so you can mail your vote to us here in the District office at no cost to you.  This saves both the Locals and the District considerable money and also speeds up the voting process, Locals have the right  to opt out of this process.  The District is paying to have a Local President, chosen from each state, to come to the District office and count the votes.  Also, any other Local Presidents are free to come and observe the counting process at their expense. 

The last thing I need to tell you is to come back to this website often to check for updates.  Every couple of days we will break down a part of the agreement so you understand what your bargaining team has agreed to.  Some of the topics we will address are Wages, Healthcare, Pensions, the Success Sharing Plan, Employment Security, the Leveraged Sales Title, and more. 

We are your source for information so come back to the website as often as you can!!  Today we will be discussing WAGES!!!

I’m proud of what your bargaining team has accomplished and unanimously supports.  It deserves ratification.  Now, help finish the job.  I urge you to vote YES!!!

Judith R Dennis
Vice President, District 3