Bargaining Update 1/21

Your CWA Bargaining Committee met with the Piedmont Bargaining committee last week.

On Monday, the Union bargaining committee started by presenting counter proposals on Article 11: Holidays and Article 12: Vacations. The Company gave no proposals. On Tuesday, the Union presented a wage proposal and a counter proposal on Safety and Health. Company gave no proposals. The Company needed time to work on a wage counter proposal. On Thursday, the Company gave the Union a counter proposal on Article 18: Safety and Health and Articles 11 & 12: Vacations and Holidays. The Company would not give the Union a formal proposal on wages, but did discuss a plan for 9 new wage scales. Under this plan, there are 1,855 members who would not receive a raise in their base pay and would only receive a lump sum bonus. The Union made it clear to the Company that it is not acceptable to freeze base pay and only provide a lump sum bonus.

Under the law it is difficult to strike. It is a long process to receive strike approval, however Piedmont needs to understand that members are ready to do what is necessary to have a fair contract. We are asking members to participate in a strike vote. In the following weeks we will release educational materials on the strike process and how members can vote.

Only members are eligible to vote, so if you have not signed a membership card contact your steward or Local to get one.

The next bargaining dates are February 3rd-7th. Stay tuned for information from your Local.

Remember: When we fight, we win!