This is our opportunity to let the company know that our health care benefits are administered by incompetent agents, there is no training for our members, that wages have stagnated since the dollar has tanked and inflation has risen, that we will not tolerate any loss to current and retiree medical benefits, that the company still replaces bargaining unit members with contractors, e-link payroll is horrible, and that management continuously attempts to undermine tours, vacations, overtime, differential payments, and seniority.

We can go on and on, but the point is the company never cared about our input and opinion so why now? It seems obvious they are getting ready for our upcoming contract expiration and they want to show us how much they care and like us. This is our opportunity to let them know that we are unified and standing together and that we have fair and just demands that the company can well live up to.

The following was sent to employees at AT&T to launch their Blogging trial:

AT&T 2.0 is all about connecting people everywhere they live and work, and doing it better than anyone else. Our vision includes employees, because we know that better-connected employees can move faster to solve problems and come up with more creative solutions. Improved connectivity can, in short, drive velocity — the speed of our response to problems facing the business, and our ability to change when, where, and as fast as we need to.

Employee collaboration is a key part of this increased connectivity. That's why, over the coming months, we'll be testing a number of different options and approaches to social media. To kick off this initiative, we're launching an employee 2.0 Blog Trial, with four discussion groups:
•  Wireless Signals, a blog focused on Mobility
•  Enterprise 2.0
•  U-verse Operations, a forum for U-verse premise techs
•  And a general News Now discussion forum

During this trial, some comments will be posted immediately while others will be reviewed before they appear online. We encourage you to participate in this trial, and offer your suggestions and ideas on these topics. We hope you'll also contribute feedback through voting and commenting.

This can be CWA Members’ opportunity to give AT&T feedback that will demonstrate to the company where we really stand and what is truly important to us as we prepare for bargaining a new contract in April 2009.
 
Before you give your input, just remember the company’s usual responses, so why should it be different now?

“That’s a very good question; I’ll get back to you.”

“It’s a mistake, we didn’t do it intentionally.”

“It’s not us, Headquarters is making that decision.”

“Training is a high priority.”

“Sorry, but I just received that information.”

“You were given prior notice, but I have no record of it.”

“You do not need Union representation.”

Now the company’s biggest whopper: “Employees are our most valuable asset.”

This is your chance to let the company know we will not accept concessions on our wages and benefits and we expect improvements to our conditions of work along with the respect and adherence that our contract deserves. That we will be standing together with our brothers and sisters across the country until we receive a fair and just contract for our entire bargaining unit and that all 140,000 CWA Members’ at AT&T will be prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve these goals.

In unity there is strength.

Roy Hegenbart

President
CWA Local 3250