D-9 NEWS

AUGUST BARGAINING NEWS: Bargaining continues with contracts across CWA District 9. REMEMBER - due to the nature of bargaining, the latest information is always at your Local. The wise among us know that work to rule & safety first are two of our mantras…and MOBILIZATION nDvVJ31#%XB@4 works!

AFA-United: Most exciting – after years of a long hard struggle, with District 9 and Locals assisting in numerous airport rallys, AFA United approved their new contract. CONGRATS!

DTV (Direct TV):  The DTV Bargaining Team election has been certified, with 3 DTV Techs joining District 9 on the DTV Bargaining Team – Joshua Cobb, Ariel Garcia and Alex Blas. CONGRATULATIONS and know that District 9 is behind you all the way.

AT&T Core Contract: Mobilization is kicking into high gear. Stay close to your Local for action information and regularly issued Bargaining Bulletins. REMEMBER: Work to rule & work safely. You can also read the latest news here, as information changes rapidly: http://district9.cwa-union.org/D9ATT/att-west

G4S (9412): Bargaining concluded with a Tentative Agreement that the Bargaining Team is recommending with pride! Check with CWA Local 9412 for the latest news at 510-581-9412.

KPFA (9415): The Union's Bargaining Committee met on August 30. Currently the Committee is putting together proposals to present to KPFA reflecting the most recent Members concerns based on the surveys returned. AT&T Mobility: The National Bargained Benefit Program ratifications election results were shared August 31st. CONGRATULATIONS to members across the country that voted to approve the TA!

AT&T Internet: By an overwhelming majority, AT&T Internet members have approved a strike, to be called by President Shelton if necessary.

Frontier: Frontier is still in the process of staffing for the facility rehab work in the telecommunications network. A pilot program for the Alliance is underway in Locals 9586 & 9588. Stay in touch with your Local for more information about activities in Frontier, including any potential job openings in southern California.

AUGUSTORGANIZINGUPDATES: Here are some highlights from our ever active organizing efforts in District 9 for August 2016:

The Committee for Better Banks (CBB) will launch a website and Facebook page that will go live with our message and materials. Our video will also be launched with a petition drive that will look to gather 10,000 signatures. The net will be cast beyond Los Angeles, engaging both statewide community and labor organizations. CWA is actively engaged in this campaign, assisting       with canvassing and leafletting.

AUGUST LEGISLATIVE/POLITICAL NEWS

CWA District 9 pays particular attention towards the legislative & political scene, as the stroke of a legislator’s pen can undo years of bargaining. Always keep in touch with your Local about breaking news on the legislative/political front. Like bargaining, things can change rapidly and your Local Legislative Committee is the best source for up to date information and action plans.

In California: A special thank you to all the locals in District 9 who have assisted in CPUC hearings and a special shout out to Local 9400 for an excellent job with the hearings in their Local territory (see the photos below). Due to undisputed documentation, the CPUC has become avidly involved in monitoring the reliability of the telecom network. CPUC Commissioner Catherine Sandoval has championed public hearings regarding the damaged plant and how it impacts residents. In addition, Senator Mark McGuire is assisting in drafting legislation to benefit workers and consumers. We are DONE with customers and workers detrimentally impacted by the poor conditions of a network that AT&T has failed to adequately maintain for decades. AT&T can run, but they can’t hide – we won’t let them.

Together with our Council Chairs at the SCC, CVC, and the NCNC, letters have been sent relative to working family and consumer concerns. Working with our community partners, we sent letters to the Capitol alerting our opposition to ACA 11 (it was defeated), SB1017 and SB 2903 (in its various permutations) that dealt with telco issues. We worked with our CWA-UPTE sector and supported AB 1690 for our Community College Adjunct Faculty. We stood with Firefighters and supported SB 1160 when asked. Activities at the State Capitol kicked into high gear during the last two days of August, as the legislature prepared to go on recess. Despite numerous attempts to undermine our efforts, CWA prevailed in the end.  SB 1017 and SB 2903 died in the closing hours, a victory for CWA. AB 1690 and SB 1160 are waiting for Gov. Brown’s signature. Furthermore, the Legislature showed bipartisan support for Senate Bill 1107 (Allen, Hancock, Chiu, Gonzalez), which would enable the state and local governments to address special interest money in politics with citizen funded election systems by  amplifying the voices of small donors and everyday voters. California Common Cause is a sponsor of this bill, one of our partners in Washington DC, and it will be another win for working families if Gov. Brown signs it. CWA District 9 has received praise from our partners for our efforts this session. It also took a lot of Local effort and it paid off. Thanks to all that helped! United we stand.

In Nevada: District 9 is working closely with the Nevada State Fed to set up programs to educate our members about the upcoming elections. We have a real opportunity, like never before, to turn Nevada blue (which means into a state that takes care of working families). Stay tuned!

MOBILIZATION AROUND THE DISTRICT

Pictured are Locals 9119, 9003, 9404, 9408, 9414 & 9415

“What does labor want? We want more schoolhouses and less jails; more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice; more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures, to make manhood more noble, womanhood more beautiful, and childhood more happy and bright.”

Samuel Gompers