Gawain 0 #1 May 26, 2004 Many may have known about the 100,000 workers with SBC that went on a four-day strike. Well, it made its point and SBC and the unions (CWA) announced a tentative agreement. I cut and pasted relevant items from the story (it's long). Key factor here is the union accepted lower wage increases, higher benefit contributions and SBC is going to draw up a plan to re-import close to 3,000 jobs that were "off-shored/outsourced" to places like India, etc. That is a significant development. If the plan works, it may provide a roadmap for other companies to do the same. (here's the link if you want it). SBC, Striking Workers Reach Tentative Agreement Tuesday, May 25, 2004 Associated Press SAN ANTONIO — Negotiators for SBC Communications Inc. (SBC) and the Communications Workers of America (search) reached tentative agreement early Tuesday on a new five-year contract that union officials say boosts wages 12 percent over the period and protects health care benefits and job security for about 100,000 employees of the nation's No. 2 phone provider. ... ... The tentative agreement provided across-the-board base wage increases totaling 12 percent, compounded, plus an additional 1 percent lump sum in the first year and cost-of-living-adjustments in the fourth and fifth years. The initial wage increase is retroactive to April 4. The last contract expired in early April. Employees will receive average base wage increases of 2.3 percent per year for the life of the contract and lump sums averaging $300 per year, said company officials. ... ... The agreement also includes new access to jobs in growth areas, protects health security for both active employees and retirees, and improves pensions. Those guarantees will increase 13 percent over the contract term, with the cash balance pension plan for SBC East employees substantially improved, the union said. The settlement guarantees no layoffs of employees currently on the payroll for the life of the agreement and calls for rehiring of several hundred workers who had been laid off at SBC Southwest and SBC Midwest. ... ... San Antonio-based SBC said "the agreement also allows CWA-represented employees to perform jobs of the future that are considered an extension of traditional telephone work." Other jobs in emerging technologies will be at competitive wage and benefit levels, the company said. ... ... Under the tentative deal, SBC will continue to provide fully paid health care benefits. Officials of San Antonio-based SBC say the agreement helps them rein in health care costs, which have been growing at double digit rates annually. Although no monthly contributions will be required, co-payments for drugs, doctor visits, emergency room services and other charges will increase for most plan participants. ... ...So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #2 May 26, 2004 FYI, a lot of this kind of bargaining goes on between unions and employers. Lots of people have the knee jerk reaction that unions automatically equal over paid, lazy workers. But the entire purpose of a union is to give the employees the ability to make these kinds of deals as a unit and help protect the jobs of the people who actually do the work of the company instead of leaving it up to the discretion of the guy who signs the pay check. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #3 May 26, 2004 The definition of a truly good compromise is a situation in which both parties feel they got less than they deserved. You're right, sounds like a case where the system actually worked... good deal. Regarding unions: there are good unions, there are bad unions, just like anything else in life. Having worked in the foundry industry for the better part of the industry, I've seen most scenarios. I've seen a union work well to the benefit of both the employees and the company, and I've seen a union misbehave and abuse the management so badly that the foundry had no choice but to close. Elvisio "done with the foundry industry" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #4 May 27, 2004 For a less rosy viewpoint. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/05/26/BUGSS6RL6F1.DTL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #5 May 27, 2004 The SF Chronicle hardly views anything in a positive light IMO. If a kid's cat was rescued from a tree, they'd report "but at what cost to the tree, the taxpayers, and how much trauma did the kid endure"... So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #6 May 27, 2004 QuoteThe SF Chronicle hardly views anything in a positive light IMO. If a kid's cat was rescued from a tree, they'd report "but at what cost to the tree, the taxpayers, and how much trauma did the kid endure"... This was written by David Lazarus, not some committee you refer to as the Chronicle. He has a very good history for covering workplace matters. You could actually address his points, chiefly the one that says nothing was actually promised with offshoring. Successful negotiation in my mind happens before a strike is necessary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
