Communications Workers of America (CWA) local 9510 has been working without a contract at ATT in Tustin since April 1, 2009. One of the sticking points in negotiations between CWA and ATT has been health insurance for current employees and retirees. ATT wants the employees to contribute more money towards their healthcare insurance and pay higher out of pocket expenses.
Another negotiating point is job security. Currently, jobs are being sent from higher cost areas to lower cost areas. Because much of the work done by communications companies is done via computer, a worker could, theoretically, be anywhere in the world with a computer and still be able to complete their job. The Tustin workers are fighting to keep their jobs in California instead of lower cost states or, worst yet, overseas.
This fight is about keeping middle class jobs available to local people. Jobs paying CWA wages pay enough money and provide solid enough benefits to allow workers to raise families comfortably. These families can afford to buy homes and allow children to attend college. When wages are lowered significantly, homes and educations become less affordable to the families of these workers.
District 9 of CWA is still negotiating while District 4 has an offer on the table. District 9 covers California, Nevada and Hawaii. District 4 covers Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Kenneth Williams, president of CWA Local 9510, said that the contract negotiations are being done on a district by district basis instead of a nationwide, master agreement. A large national company, like ATT, maintains the upper hand in negotiations by negotiating as a single entity while forcing unions to negotiate area by area.
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