AT&T and its unions—CWA and International Brotherhood of Elect...

11. AT&T said unions turned down its offer in Feb. to extend contract for 18 months, with 6% salary raise over that period, 8% increase in pension for employees retiring before end of extension, increase in separation payments, continuation of current medical plan for length of extension, including no minimum contributions for active employees and retirees. AT&T said average weekly salaries of its unionized workers ranged from $663 for senior clerks to $1,030 for communications technicians. “Negotiations will take place during turbulent times for the telecom industry,” AT&T said in fact sheet. CWA said members would be “practice picketing” at AT&T locations Mon., “sending the message that keeping quality jobs at the company is critical.” CWA Pres. Morton Bahr said his “members want AT&T to succeed,” but “by slashing jobs and contracting out work to low pay, high turnover operations, AT&T is jeopardizing quality service.” IBEW, which will negotiate jointly with CWA on national issues, said job security was primary goal “in an industry of rapid technological change and seemingly endless corporate restructuring.” IBEW said it turned down AT&T’s contract extension offer because company wouldn’t agree to no-layoff pledge. IBEW also complained that contract extension called for using pension funds to pay for severance benefits. Most of IBEW’s AT&T members are in N.J., Pa., R.I.