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We are Cingular
workers in New Hampshire on the “Blue” side (shown below at
our store in Concord). As former AT&T employees, we now have
the opportunity to join with 20,000 fellow employees on the
“Orange” side of the company as members of the
Communications Workers of America (CWA). That’s why we’ve
been working with CWA Local 1400 to distribute information
about the union to everyone who works in Maine and New
Hampshire retail stores.
WHY SHOULD
“BLUE” CINGULAR EMPLOYEES SUPPORT THE UNION?
- CWA’s retail store contract(s)
call for guaranteed step increases every 6 months for
newer employees still in progression, plus a negotiated
annual raise for all employees.
-
CWA members have
contract relocation language that protects them in the
event of a lay-off or store closing. In Salem, a Blue
store was recently closed with no advance notice to the
affected employees or opportunities for them to work for
Cingular elsewhere.
-
CWA members
have access to a grievance procedure. In cases of unfair
or excessive discipline, the union insures that employees
get a fair hearing. Union grievance settlements have
resulted in back pay and reinstatement, removal of
warnings from employee personnel files, and payment of
commissions in a more timely manner.
- CWA-negotiated benefits and
employment conditions (e.g. wages, health insurance, job
rights) cannot be changed until the union contract is
renegotiated in 2009. But non-union employees CAN
have their benefits changed as early as January 2006, when
merger-related protections expire.
That’s why we
hope YOU will join us in developing an active network
of Cingular Blue union supporters in New Hampshire and
Maine. Already, a majority of our retail store co-workers in
Rhode Island have signed up to become part of CWA. Union
activity is underway in Massachusetts and Connecticut as
well—among both Cingular techs and sales people.
To set up a
meeting or get a copy of the union contract or a summary of
“orange” benefits, please contact Local 1400 organizer
Sheila McGillicuddy at 617-733-2335 (cell) or
1-800-910-4388. To find out more about Local 14000, visit
the union’s website at:
http://cwalocal1400.org/cingular
Chadwic Perreault
John Cousins
Brad Morris
Cingular “Blue” Retail Sales Specialists, Concord, N.H.
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