CWA NEWS

Wage re-opener agreement reached for staff at SEIU Local 99

By Vice President Vicki Dipaolo

After three intense bargaining sessions agreement has been reached between CWA 9400 and management at SEIU Local 99 on a wage re-opener which also addressed establishing a 401k, and auto allowance.

At SEIU 99 we represent staff who work in the following job classifications: CPR Specialist, Help Center Specialist, Rep./Org I & II, Lobbyist, Clerical Assistant I & II, Receptionist, Field Admin. Asst., Maintenance, Communication Specialist, Member Associate and Accounting Associate. There are 35 members in the bargaining unit. All strong unionists which served them well in these negotiations.

While presenting their initial proposal of 3% in wages, an increase of $25 in auto allowance and establishing a joint committee to discuss retirement options, management made it clear in the first session that they wanted to reach agreement quickly. Which you might think is a good thing but the translation was - we don’t want to negotiate. We had a meeting of the minds and very slight movement was made that day.

At our next session bargaining unit members had designed a great sign that was posted throughout the workplace and at each staffers desk. It was a very large red thermometer that almost reached the point of registering “Competitive Wages” but it couldn’t quite get there because the bottom had cracked open due to poor morale and low retention of staff.

The day before our last session all CWA members walked in to the workplace together clapping their hands, when they reached the meeting room they chanted, “What do we want? Justice. What do we want? Contract.” As the manager entered to begin the meeting a spokesperson requested she deliver this message, we work hard and we make this local proud, we deserve respect and a contract with fair wages.

The next morning CWA members parked their cars in the lot across the street from the conference room, which had a large wall of windows, where negotiations were to be held. As negotiations began horns began honking and car alarms going off. Management and the bargaining team read the letters placed in each car window spelling out “FAIR WAGES.” At the end of the session we had reached tentative agreement to establish a labor/management committee which will meet within 60 days to explore 401k options, an increase in auto allowance of $75 and an across the board 4% wage increase.

This highly mobilized group of CWA members, through their unified actions, made a significant difference in the outcome of their negotiations. They also set the stage for next year when they will enter full contract talks.