BY BECKY ELLIS
ST. PAUL, Minnesota - The 34,000 members of the
Communications Workers of America (CWA) at US West are just
now learning more details of the agreement made by their
bargaining committee, three weeks after ending a 15-day
strike against the regional phone carrier. As union locals
have meetings to discuss a summary of the agreement, many
workers remain in the dark about exactly what they will be
expected to vote on in a few weeks.
Some workers say they like the proposals in the new contract. Others think the strike won a few things from the company. Many are not confidant about winning more by turning the contract down.
"The whole process seems out of our control," commented Rhonda Listen, who works in the business office. Most workers didn't like being told to come back to work without seeing and voting on the proposed contract.
Many workers are opposed to a pay-for-performance plan for workers in the repair network. Even some workers in other departments say they will vote against the contract because of this proposal, even though the company says it will be voluntary.
Sales and service consultant Kathy Romeiser said, "I think it went down the tubes three years ago. The company got its foot in the door with the pay-for-performance plan, and it's likely they will be able to make it mandatory for all departments."
"I feel bad about the way the company pushes us to give bad service to the customers," said credit consultant Kellie Jones. "The company is always pushing the numbers. The pay- for-performance plan is just another way to advance the numbers."
Health care is another big issue in the discussions. The bargaining committee says there will be no change. But the tentative agreement calls for a committee of six people - three representing the company and three from the union - who will look at a plan where each city will go with the most cost-effective plan available.
"I am opposed to the contract offer. The benefits are bad. I just had a baby a few weeks ago. With the new medical plan I would have to pay a lot more," said Jones, adding that medical care is already very expensive.
The proposed contract would reduce the amount of mandatory overtime, which is currently unlimited, to eight hours per week for only two weeks of the month. Many union members think this is too little too late.
This is a particularly volatile issue in the Repair Call Handling Center (RCHC). Before the strike, workers in that department worked mandatory 8-10 hours of overtime per week. Since the strike they have been forced to work 6 days a week, many days at 10 hours. Workers there find it amazing that US West President and CEO said that the company didn't fall behind on repair orders during the strike.
Workers in the St. Paul RCHC decided to get T-shirts that could be worn on a specific day each week. They came up with a design - "I'm Workin' on the Chain Gang" - and sold 50 in two days.
Becky Ellis is a member of the CWA at US West.