CCI (ILEC) Bargaining Report: March 8, 2012

On Thursday, 03/08/12, the Union and Company Bargaining Committee reconvened to continue the negotiations.

The Company brought their attorney, David C. Lonergan, from the law firm of Hutton & Williams located in Dallas, TX.

The Company attorney engaged the Union in a hostile manner from the start of the negotiation session.

The Company did not supply all of the information requested during the parties 02/08/12 bargaining session that was necessary to formulate a pension and health care proposal.

Tentative Agreements were reached on a GPS proposal and Home Garaging proposal.

The Union expressed to the Company that it is not being pressured into rushing through proposals until it’s received the information requested and necessary to make proposals on the major issues of health care and pensions that affect the members’ livelihoods.

The unresolved issue involving Highmark and the UPMC is of particular concern to the Union because of the potential, devastating impact on members.

As the bargaining session progressed, it became very evident to the Union the Company’s agenda for the day was decided before the negotiations even began.

Due to the standstill at the table on all of the major issues, the Union formally requested the use of a Federal mediator. The Company adamantly refused claiming that negotiations were at an impasse. The Union responded it disagreed, because we are still making progress at the table on various other issues and there numerous questions as well as information requested that the Company has yet to provide answers.

A membership meeting’s being scheduled to discuss negotiations. Details will follow.