September 2023 Bargaining Round Up

American Airlines – Passenger Service Agents

On September 18, 2023, the CWA-IBT Bargaining Team reported from the twelfth round of bargaining with American Airlines:

Your CWA-IBT Association Bargaining Committee met with American Airlines management this week in our twelfth round of bargaining for a new contract.

The Company presented the Union with a comprehensive proposal that includes wages, benefits, and open contract language […]

The Company is true to the commitment of CEO Robert Isom to pay industry wages so American Airlines agents are not behind Delta and/or United, however the Company also wants to have the scope and work rules match Delta and United. As you may know, there is no union at Delta, so they have no protection. United does not have ratios of office and home-based representatives or a cap on when calls could be sent overseas, as we have in our contract. There are also concerns about technology at the airports. The Company does not believe we need a no furlough clause.

(See this chart to compare protections).

Every member must participate in their Local's mobilizations to Save Our Scope. Contact your local for information.

Stay informed and share information with fellow members. Make sure we have your personal email address and cell phone number by filling in this form. Follow us on Facebook.com/AmericanAgentsConnected where you can like and share our updates and other bargaining related content. And share your Solidarity Selfies and group pictures with us at info@american-agents.com.”

AVAYA

The AVAYA Bargaining Committee met with the company several times in September. The Committee reported that an extension of the current contract was reached:

Extension: Due to the safety concerns posed by Tropical Storm Ophelia and the impending inclement weather in Durham, North Carolina, CWA and Avaya LLC have agreed to an extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through October 24, 2023. During the extension period, all terms of the current contract remain in full effect.

In addition, members voted to authorize a strike if a fair contract is not reached. 
 

Comcast Alle-Kiski

The CWA Local 13000 Bargaining Committee met with Comcast over the Alle-Kiske contract in mid-September and reported:

We met with the Company the last three days, September 11, 12 and 13, 2023 in Carnegie. Discussions moved into economics, and we have made our wage proposal to the company among others. Talks over wages, contract labor, overtime, and cost of living are ongoing. The company has shown no urgency to come to an agreement during our sessions this week, so the committee needs you to remain strong and resolved as we fight for a fair contract. 

Bargaining has concluded for the week, and we are scheduled to resume Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Please reach out to your Rep for additional details on bargaining and other concerns.

Consolidated Communications, Inc. (ILEC)

Negotiations with CCI continued through September until the CWA Local 13000 Bargaining Committee reached a tentative agreement:

After meeting with the company over the last two days, late this afternoon we were able to come to a tentative agreement. Highlights of the agreement include:

• A 3 year term
• Annual wage increases
• Improvement to performance basement
• New Broadband Installer title added to contract
• Improved training language
• Caps on forced/mandatory overtime
• Improved boot allowance
• Protected YOUR rights to Sickness and Disability benefits
• And more…

A comprehensive list of all changes to the contract will be available soon for you to review. We will hold a contract explanation meeting, answer all questions, AND have the ratification vote on:

Friday September 29, 2023 
at 6:00 PM 
at 
The Line Crew garage 
4008 Gibsonia Road

The committee recommends ratification of this agreement.

Read the full report.

Frontier West Virginia and Ashburn, VA

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, CWA members in West Virginia and Ashburn, VA ratified a four-year union contract with Frontier! The new contract includes significant wage increases, job security language, health and welfare benefits, and a long-term work at home agreement. 

Read the CWA National Press Release.

The efforts of our members achieved this contract. Check out their support for the Bargaining Team beginning throughout bargaining:

Piedmont Airlines

Negotiations with Piedmont Airlines opened on September 26:

Passenger service agents at Piedmont Airlines are mobilizing for a fair contract. Bargaining between the CWA bargaining committee and Piedmont began on September 26, and members participated in bargaining kickoff events at stations across the country.

In a bargaining priorities survey, passenger service agents at Piedmont ranked base pay, paid time off, and safety as their top concerns to address in a new contract. On December 31, 2022, Courtney Edwards – a Piedmont passenger service agent in Montgomery, Ala., and a valued member of CWA Local 3645 – died in a tragic on-the-job accident. Following advocacy from CWA members, OSHA found Piedmont guilty of a serious breach of safety and fined the company the maximum amount allowed by law. Together, passenger service agents at Piedmont stand united and ready to fight for a contract that will provide the safety, fair wages, and work-life balance they deserve.

Read the first report here. 

Piedmont Passenger Service Agents in Virginia mobilize for a fair contract on the first day of bargaining.

Members working at DCA tell Piedmont they are ALL IN for a fair contract!

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In September, the strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette passed the 11-month mark. Members shared why they are standing stronger than ever to get the contract they deserve with The Real News Network.

For more information on how to support the striking workers, visit cwa.org/ppg and subscribe to the strike paper at unionprogress.com. 

Plan to attend the Post-Gazette Strike 1-Year Rally on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 1PM on North Shore Drive in Pittsburgh. RSVP here.