Climate Reality 2024 Bargaining Report #7

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the CWA Local 2336 Bargaining Committee reported:

Your CWA/Climate Reality Bargaining Committee met today.  We have a new member on the committee, Taina Colon. 

The Union reviewed with Climate Reality three requests for information (RFI).  Topics covered were  Healthcare; Performance Improvement Plan and Background Checks. The Union expressed concern about ongoing complaints from members regarding out of area coverage and difficulty in understanding what the healthcare providers preferred network area is if not part of the DC, MD and Northern VA area as well as, bills they receive for services that appear should be covered and how to get accurate information from CareFirst.  We asked if there was a 2024 recording of explanation of benefits employees could access and where was it located. The Union is also seeking additional information about the background check requests employees are being asked to complete.  Clarity on what all the background check could unearth or how it will affect a member’s employment if something was uncovered were part of the request for information. 

In addition to the RFI’s, the Union passed 2 new proposals.  One was for Performance Reviews and the second for Employee Classifications.  The Employee Classification proposal covers language that defines fulltime and parttime status hours to receive either the full complement of employer sponsored benefits or partial employer offered benefits. Climate Reality responded with 3 counters to proposals the Union submitted.  The Union will review their counters on Layoff and Recall; Severance Pay and Successorship. 

As it stands, we have reached a total of 11 tentative agreements on language proposals for our first contract.  Our next scheduled bargaining session is set for Thursday, September 19th, 2024.

Please wear red that Thursday whether remote or in the office to show support for the bargaining team.  We have confirmed upcoming sessions in October.  Dates will be solicited for November and December.  Both parties recognize the challenges of the upcoming holidays in securing dates but both the Union and the Employer are committed to moving the negotiation process along in an efficient and productive manner.

Your CWA Bargaining Team,
Ella Carlson; Cate Henning; Taina Colon; Julia Ridgely, Bambang Trihadmojo and Lisa Fazzini