News

CWA & Comcast Bay Area Tentative Agreement Report March 29, 2016

23 Mar, 2016

CWA & Comcast Bay Area

Tentative Agreement Report

March 29, 2016

The Union Bargaining Team met with the Company Bargaining Team at length on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 with the intent to stay all day and night in order to drive forward in getting a good contract. We did it!

The Company had previously presented 14 proposals for changes to the contract, all of which were gross takebacks. The Union spent hours questioning the proposals to fully understand the intent of each and countering with 14 proposals and 2 issues to improve the contract.

We made it clear that the Union would NOT accept the onerous takebacks. Furthermore, the Company should meet the same improvements that were met in the Oakland contract.

After much time and energy discussing proposals and counter proposals, your Union Team is proud to recommend the tentative agreement we reached on Tuesday, March 22nd.

The highlights are as follows:

Wages: The Company will add 40 cents across the board (every title) and then add a 2% wage increase on top of that for each of the 3 years of the contract. Wages will be retroactive back to February 28, 2016, when the contract expired. Please refer to the attached chart.
Union Introduction: The Company will introduce new employees to the chief steward or his/her designee.
Chief Stewards: The Union may appoint one Chief Steward for the Bay Area Bargaining Unit and one for the Oakland Bargaining Unit.
Flex Days: Members will be given their total of 8 flex days on their individual anniversary date instead of waiting until October each year.
The Union fought back and Comcast withdrew their proposal to eliminate the 10% differential for being a trainer.
The Union fought back and Comcast withdrew their proposal to eliminate the meal allowance.
The Union fought back and Comcast withdrew their proposal to eliminate the lead position (worth 10% more pay).
The Union fought back and Comcast withdrew their proposal to eliminate the shift differential (worth 10%).
The Union fought back and Comcast withdrew their proposal to eliminate overtime unless 40 hours in a week is met.
The Union fought back on an IMPORTANT safety issue and Comcast withdrew their proposal to eliminate having 2 workers work together at night.
The Union fought back on training concerns – that Union crews are the last to receive necessary training. Comcast will change their “old habits” of separating union and non-union in training courses (a major cause of the delays).

None of this happens in a vacuum and all of it is guaranteed BECAUSE you have a Union Contract. Without a union contract, all of it can be erased. Thank you for your steadfast support. Solidarity works! Your Union looks forward to celebrating a ratified agreement and improved contract language.

We heartily recommend a YES vote on this tentative agreement.

In Unity,

Your CWA Union Bargaining Team