Feb. 9,2010

Well, there been a ton of changes coming our way with the merger.  Repair is now Assignment and for the most part we are hearing positive things.  There is debate around the numbers of tasks they are required to make and how long it should take them to get to this performance level.  There has been a dress code imposed which many don't agree with.  It is business casual which rules out jeans.  They are allowing casual Fridays which does allow for nice jeans.  The uniform program for the outside is being changed to shirts and hats only.  The company's announcement stipulates they will choose colors of outer garments and pants.  We are in talks right now because the members feel if they have to purchase them they should not be able to stipulate these items.  It is also our belief that this is a direct violation of specific contract language around uniforms.  Will update everyone when we have this worked out. There are big changes in medical that everyone is working through.  White City is a non-contracted area for UHC so they have some issues going on down there about paying up front.  Other locations are working next to Centurylink employees from the old Century which are paying less for the same coverage.  They were much less then us and they are bringing them up to be the same over a couple of enrollment periods.  We are just seeing tons of change right now and will likely continue to for a year or more as the company, the Union and everyone involved figure out the new policy, processes and procedures.  2010 is a bargaining year, contract expires Oct. 31 at midnight.  This will be a big contract because for the first time in many years the direction is coming from a whole new company.  All of the Legacy Century contracts in the Northwest look very similar so it is our guess the company will want ours to look something like the others for ease of administration.  this is speculation and we have not heard anything yet from the company on this.  Jim and Bill are going to a National meeting in March to discuss the up-coming round of bargaining with all the CWA/Centurylink Local Presidents and Vice Presidents.  We will be formulating bargaining strategies and should have alot of information to share after that meeting.  Once the National strategy is in place we will be working with the members in our local to decide which issues they feel need addressed.  There will be meetings in each district over the next several months and surveys will go out to all members.  Hang in there through all this change.  Just remember that some of it is for the good.  Change is hard for everyone so try not to let it get you to wound up.  We are hearing positive things about the way Century has worked with the Unions in the past so lets hope they continue to do so.  It would be a welcome change from the days of Sprint and Embarq (Just another name for Sprint). As I have heard Jimmy Gurganus say on many occasions, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.  If anyone has questions or concerns please contact your Union reps.  If you want on the email list let Bill Ward know so he can get you added.  there are frequent emails going out on it about CWA on a National, District and Local level.  This list will also be used for bargaining updates in the fall.  Everyone take care and we will be seeing you soon.  It is always important to get our membership up.  this year, more than any I can remember it will be important to go to the bargaining table as strong and unified as possible.  Talk to the folks that are not members and let them know how much we need them so we can get a strong contract that is good for all of us, members and non-members alike.  Take care and we will be seeing you all soon. 

SOLIDARITY IS THE KEY

July 2, 2009                                                                                                                                               As I am sure you all know, the merger was approved by the FCC and July 1 is the official date of merger.  The next year and a half will be a wild ride to say the least.  This does not mean it will all be bad but there will be a ton of change and mass confusion as many systems, policies and benefits will be changing.
Please keep in mind that rumors are already spreading like wild fire and they will continue to do so.  We have a contract; they can not change our contract without opening it and negotiating it.  The properties covered in our contract are our area of coverage.  Supervisor responsibilities may change in areas but regardless of the supervisors responsibilities we work our exchanges and the Century techs work theirs.  In order for that to change the local Unions would have to be involved in re-negotiating jurisdictional boundaries.  If this were to happen, it would not happen fast and we would have lots of discussion with all effected.  Neither the company nor the other local Unions have had any contact with us to this point on the subject and Linda Rasmussen has heard nothing either.  She is our staff rep and is also responsible for the majority of current Century employees in Oregon and has bargained with Century for years.
I guess what I am saying is please don't panic.  Don't believe all the rumors and make sure that as you hear them from other bargaining employees that you continue to reinforce that we have a contract and that changes in that contract will have to be negotiated and voted on by the members.  This is also a good time to bring up the fact that only members will have a vote in these changes and that the more members we have the better chance we will have of negotiating successfully.  We are not the lone little Northwest anymore.  We now have many more brothers and sisters in CWA and IBEW working together to keep decent benefits and wages for us in Washington and Oregon.  We now have more clout in District 7.  There are many Century locals in District 7 and we were the only Embarq local.
Any rumors, any questions, any concerns please contact me or have your members contact me.  We will put out any info we get as soon as we get it.  We will substantiate or discredit rumors as soon as we can and pass that info on.  An open line of communication will be more important than ever over the next 24 months.  There will be updates sent out via email often so if you have members that want those updates please get me their email addresses so I can add them to the distribution list.
 
In Solidarity,
Bill