Mobilization Reports & Information

CWA C&T (legacy T) has reached a tentative agreement with at&t:

click here for more information

Why do we stand & click / wear red & black?

Click here to view the National Mobilization Video & new song

Thank you for participating in Mobilization actions.  With your help the CWA C&T bargaining team was able to reach a tentative agreement 8-27-09.  

 click here for more information.  

Members will receive additional details prior to voting on the terms of the contract.  

Saturday & Sunday August 15 & 16, 2009

Member Mobilizers and CWA supporters again provide information to those attending the GameFair in Ramsey.   Union Sportsmen and many others entered the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation booth to get more information about healthcare reform & were advised of our battle against Corporate greed at at&t struggle for job security & affordable healthcare. 

Friday August 14, 2009

Many Mobilizers boarded the big green bus and headed for the Hazeltine PGA golf tournament in Chaska where Tiger Woods proudly sported his at&t sponsored golf bag.  Picketers created signs "Corporate Greed is PAR for the COURSE", "Cut Greens, NOT Healthcare", "AT&T, Don't SLICE our Healthcare" & "Retiree Healthcare is cheaper than Tigers Golf Bag".   PGA Officials got upset when MN State Patrol & Chaska Police would not remove us from the street where we were conducting our informational picket outside the gates of the tournament, and angry when we were tipped off that tournament officials were trying to have our bus towed.  Many Officials showed up on their golf carts to take our pictures.  We were hopeful they would forward them for the website, but have yet to receive them.   Back at the office, workers showed support by wearing black and standing hourly.  Click here for pictures

Monday August 10 - Thursday August 13, 2009 

Wearing red is a daily occurrence in the call centers, as is standing hourly and clicking twice each day in support of the bargaining team.  Thursday's informational picket brought out a mix of many new and tenured members on their break and lunch, along MN State Council President Tim Lovaasen.  

click here for pictures

Saturday & Sunday August 8 & 9, 2009

Member Mobilizers and CWA supporters provide information to thousands attending the GameFair in Ramsey.   Union Sportsmen and many others entered the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation booth to get more information about healthcare reform & were advised of our battle against Corporate greed at at&t struggle for job security & affordable healthcare for active and retired workers. 

Monday August 3 - Friday August 7, 2009

Members and mobilizers remain focused on outsourcing and job security.  This weeks lunchtime rally was attended again by Starbucks Workers, and members of the community supporting CWA Local 7250 members in our fight against at&t's corporate greed.   Week 17 finds outside techs declining OT and focusing on quality on every job with every customer.  click here for pictures

Monday July 27 - Friday July 31, 2009

Week 16 workers are focused on job security and stopping outsourcing.  Members wear red Monday - Thursday, black on Fridays, and many areas stand hourly and click to remind at&t that we are still focused on a fair and equitable contract with affordable healthcare for all members.  Our lunchtime rally was attended by UFCW, Starbucks Workers, and members of the community.  We again appreciate the support and kind words from the workers downtown.   For the 4th week in a row, the Minneapolis Police stopped by because of the numerous disturbance complaints they receive from several blocks away.  Two Mounted Police visited our info picket this week.  click for pictures

Saturday July 25, 2009

Members, Mobilizers, Stewards & Officers attended the 75th Anniversary Festival of the 1934 Teamsters Strike which turned Minneapolis into a Union town.  We were honored to speak at the event, and we let the attendees know that workers are battling Corporate greed at at$t, and their sick plans to cut retiree and active healthcare, or make it unaffordable for many of our workers. 

Monday July 20 - Friday July 24, 2009

Week 15.  Workers continue inside actions.  Members in most areas are participating in the overtime boycott, and remain focused on quality and safety with each customer interaction.  This weeks lunchtime info picket was joined by the AFL-CIO and members from AFSCME.  We also appreciate the support from the community and workers in businesses nearby.  click here for photos

Monday July 13 - Friday July 17, 2009

Members remain focused on the goal of getting a fair contract with affordable healthcare for active and retired workers.  On job actions continue, with members wearing red or black & standing hourly.   The possibility of a strike remains in the forefront as members repreference their picket assignments to a shorter 4 hr per week shift.  Thursday lunchtime info picket was joined by the AFL-CIO to support members of 7250.   click here for photos

Monday July 6 - Friday July 10, 2009

Members show strong support and unity everyday by standing and wearing red Monday - Thursday & black on Friday.  Personalized picket signs continue to appear at members workstations in addition to the signs that the Union distributed in the past.    Thursdays lunchtime informational picket reminded AT&T and the public that we are over 3 months without a contract, and we remain focused on a fair and equitable contract. 

Thursday July 2, 2009

Members and mobilizers attend the lunchtime informational picket downtown Minneapolis, once again taking the message of AT&T's corporate greed to the streets.   This was followed with a 5:00 PM Rush Hour rally which was attended by MN AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Steve Hunter, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation President Bill McCarthy, DFL Gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza, Workers Interfaith Network Reverend John Guttermann, CWA Staff Lawrence Sandoval, CWA Officers, members & supporters from AFL-CIO, MRLF& the Blue-Green Alliance.  click here for photos from both rallies

Sunday June 28, 2009

Mobilizers marched along side the AFL-CIO in the GLBT Pride Parade in Minneapolis, passed out thousands of flyers to the public about at&t's corporate greed, and received hundreds of signatures in the www.StandUpForWorkers.com petition book while at the AFL-CIO booth this weekend during the Pride festival.  click here to view pictures              click here for Workday Minnesota story

Saturday June 27, 2009

Mobilizers gathered at the Southdale Apple store.   After nearly an hour with sales reps, workers were advised of our struggle at AT&T and left with a "deepest regrets" flyer explaining why we were not able to purchase products from Apple.   They have some pretty cool products and services at those stores.  If anyone wants to spend time learning more about Apple, ask for the flyer we have for you to leave with the sales associates. 

Thursday June 25, 2009

While members show solidarity on the job & during the lunch rally supported by MN AFL-CIO and Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation at 901 Marquette: thousands of CWA'ers rally for Health care at the nations capitol with other Labor organizations. click here to view video

Wednesday June 24, 2009

CWA Local 7250 Convention Delegates & guests rallied at the Nations Capitol for a fair contract at at&t after lobbying elected Politicians for health care reform, the Employee Free Choice Act, and for support in bargaining with at&t;   Mobilizers continue to participate in actions at work.  click here for news story

Thursday June 18, 2009

Dozens of CWA members and other supporters from Labor participated in an informational picket at 9th & Marquette.   Members took the message to the street, walking down Nicollet Mall in the crowed Farmers Market and past hundreds of people eating lunch outside.  click here for pictures

Wednesday June 17, 2009

Approximately 60 members participated in an Ergonomic Stretch solidarity walk around the office. click here for video

Monday - Friday June 15-19, 2009

Members continue to show solidarity by standing hourly, clicking some hours, and standing in complete silence other hours.  We proudly wear red to support our bargaining team, show our strength and unity.  Outside our technicians continue performing quality work safely.  New safety equipment has been ordered in some areas, as some of it did not pass inspection, or we were not meeting OSHA standards. (Gloves - Electrical, Safety Cones & Vests, Racks installed to secure cages in trucks, etc) 

Saturday June 13, 2009

Members gathered for another successful outside action.  Keep up the great mobilization. 

Friday June 12, 2009

In addition to inside actions: Mobilizers met plan on job activities for the next few weeks & to discuss tomorrows action.  

Thursday June 11, 2009

Mobilizers take the info picket through the crowded streets of downtown Minneapolis again.   We received labor support from the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, HERE Local 17, and CWA Local 7200 Executive Board.  350 flyers were distributed to the public.  Inside actions continue.  click for pictures

Saturday June 6, 2009

Mobilizers visited an at&t authorized dealer in Minnesota Saturday afternoon to discuss billing issues, and at&t products and services.  Unfortunately without a contract, many of us are not able to spend $ outside our budget until we are certain there will be no work stoppage.   Workers and managers were left with the message that CWA had been in the store, as well as why we were there.  The location was previously visited to organize workers, as well as customers leafletted to advise of at&t's lack of negotiating a contract. 

Thursday June 4, 2009

Members and mobilizers took an ergonomic stretch break together click here for video.   Standing and clicking continues in the call centers, and technicians remain focused on safety and quality.   

Today's lunchtime informational picket click for video was attended by members, mobilizers and other Union activists who marched outside at&t's 901 Marquette Avenue S location downtown click here for pics    Several members took our message through the crowded streets on Nicollet Mall.  Picketers were forced to walk single file through the farmers market, around the hundreds of people that were dining outside at the restaurants lining the mall, and in front of the live Noon local news broadcast at Channel 4 (WCCO - CBS).  We continued our chants "AT&T you cant hide, we can see your greedy side", as well as "We are the Union...".  The picket signs taken to the streets all addressed at&t's corporate greed.  click here for on street video

Wednesday June 3, 2009

Officers joined a conference call with Vice President Ralph Maly and the bargaining team.  We were reminded that the company bargaining team had made no real attempt to resolve any of our issues, and much of the company offer remained the same as it was 2 months ago when the contract expired.   It is going to take real outside action for us to make gains at the bargaining table. VP Maly reminded us that at&t is attacking our families by attacking our standard of living with cost shifting healthcare onto us.  The company is not going to move off of those proposals on their own, it will take UNION POWER. 

There are 2 choices now that each of us have:  accept the retrogressive 5 year proposal the company offered April 5, or GET UP AND GET ACTIVE.

Monday June 1, 2009

Last week a second level manager approached a Union Officer and thanked them for stopping the clicking in her work area, as it was driving her crazy.   Did she convey that same message further up in management and ask for the contract to get resolved?   CWA doesn't think so.    If you want the clicking stopped, give us the fair contract we deserve.   Mobilizers in the area of second level managers, you know what to do!!!  Click here to see the article from Workday Minnesota

Friday May 29, 2009

Hundreds of members wore black as we mourned the closing of our 7th week of working without a contract.   One member was quoted as saying "It makes it really hard to keep working when I know this company doesn't care about me, but I care about my customers."   CWA members continue to do a safe and quality job with every customer & every ticket. 

Thursday May 28, 2009

CWA members, Labor Leaders, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, and CWA supporters gathered outside at&t for an informational picket.  Inside workers showed solidarity by wearing red & standing hourly in support of the bargaining team, quality affordable healthcare, and the fair contract we all need and deserve.  click here to view photos & video created by the MN AFL-CIO   CWA members and families supported SEIU workers whose jobs were contracted by Dunwoody Institute by walking an evening informational picket during Open House. click here for the SEIU Workday Minnesota story

Wednesday May 27, 2009

Mobilizers gathered at the hall to create new picket signs and repair signs that we have been using for many weeks of informational pickets.   We understand that we may be in for the long haul.  AT&T clearly has no intent to settle the contract until active and retired members agree to the company's proposed healthcare cost shifting. 

Thursday May 21, 2009

Outside CWA 7250 members held an informational picket where members & other Unionists chanted including "at&t, what's the scoop? your contract offer smells like poop!", "at&t, you can't hide, we can see your greedy side" and "They say TAKE BACKS, we say FIGHT BACK".   Thanks for everyone that showed support!   MN AFL-CIO, Minneapolis & St Paul Regional Labor Federations, CWA MN State Council, OPEIU, and SEIU.  300 additional flyers were distributed telling the public about at&t's plans to cut healthcare.  Inside members continued to stand for healthcare and a fair contract.  "We'll be back" every week until we get a contract.  click to view pictures

Wednesday May 20, 2009

Members in the Minneapolis centers wore surgical masks, while others wore scrubs or isolation gowns to draw attention to at&t's refusal to move on their sick healthcare offer.   Standing hourly for a fair contract, and clicking continues.  click here for pictures

Tuesday May 19, 2009

Mobilizers distributed "at&t medical plan kits" to draw attention to at&t's proposal to cut healthcare.  The kit included Preventative Care (one gummy vitamin) as well as comprehensive emergency care (one aspirin in case of heart attack & one band-aid for use on severed artery or accidental dismemberment).  We continued hourly actions inside.  Outside the technicians remain focused on Safety and Quality. 

Monday May 18, 2009

CWA joined other Unions to support SEIU Local 284 in their fight against Dunwoody Institute.  Union Custodians & Engineers were let go and replaced with contractors.  Mobilizers continue to stand and click daily in their fight for a fair contract at at&t.    Members began to sign petitions against the Last, Best & Final offer in CWA District 6. 

Sunday May 17, 2009

Members & their families participated in an Anoka County senior yard clean up day with several other labor Unions, the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, and the North Suburban Advisory Council.  The Coon Rapids seniors were very appreciative of the work that was done.  click here for Labor Review story

Saturday May 16, 2009

Mobilizers & Activists joined for another round of organizing in Best Buy, Radio Shack & AT& Authorized agents.  

Friday May 15, 2009

Members wore black, stood hourly and clicked for a fair contract.  Technicians continue to focus on quality and safety on the job. 

 Click here to see the Workday Minnesota article

Thursday May 14, 2009

CWA 7250 members held an informational picket and rally outside at&t's 901 Marquette location.   We were joined by several other organizations today.  Thanks for everyone that showed support!   Officers & members from CWA 7200, DFL Gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza, MN AFL-CIO, Minneapolis & St Paul Regional Labor Federations, CWA MN State Council, Minnesota 20/20 activists.  Over 500 flyers were distributed telling the public about at&t's plans to cut healthcare, and we added many signatures to the over 80,000 previously submitted on-line at www.StandUpForWorkers.com

Click here for pics from rally

Wednesday May 13, 2009

Ratty Randall Rat Facts were distributed to members.  Members stand against corporate greed hourly.   

Yesterday, at&t put a "Last, Best & Final" offer on the table in District 6 (Traditional SWB in TX, OK, MO, KS, AR) which to put it mildly, the offer SUCKS.  At the same time they presented the offer to the Bargaining Team, they put out the message and video to ALL workers.  The corporation is attempting to bargain with all members, not the bargaining team... even all of you who are not covered by the D6 contract.  Don't be fooled by the company or their bribes of signing bonuses & lump sum payments.  They are only trying to buy interest & yes votes for ratification.  Like D6 members said about the offer "The LAST is not BEST and that's FINAL."  

Please click here to see the bargaining proposals that impact us

Tuesday May 12, 2009

Drastic Action Team actions were EXTREMELY successful today.  Due to the sensitive nature of the activities, we can not expand the group at this time.  Thank you all for your inquiries.    Hourly stand ups and clicking are making management crazy around the country!  Great job everyone!! 

Monday May 11, 2009

Members stand strong hourly for a fair contract.  On-site & Outside Plant workers remember to do a quality job safely every time.  Please report OSHA violations to cwainfo@gmail.com  

Sunday May 10, 2009

Mobilizers distributed thousands of flyers regarding at&t health care cuts to participants at the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure at the Mall of America.  Organizing attempts were made at 2 of the 4 Apple stores, and several of the Authorized agents & Best Buy stores.

Saturday May 9, 2009

Mobilizers gathered at the Union hall to discuss future actions, work on picket signs, and mobilization activities.  Members participated in the Postal Worker food drive in their communities raising over 1 million pounds of food in the Twin Cities.  click here to view Workday Minnesota article

Friday May 8, 2009

Members wore black & stood every hour to mourn the loss of our contract, and support the bargaining team. 

Thursday May 7, 2009

Hourly actions by the members continue, as the Drastic Action Team completes code 250 successfully.  Great job everyone! 

Wednesday May 6, 2009

Members and mobilizers stand hourly to show at&t that we won't back down. 

Tuesday May 5, 2009

Cinco de Mayo is usually a day of celebration.  Not in 2009 at at&t.   Top Executives, and the Corporations bargaining teams refuse to bargain.   Hourly actions help remind managers that we will continue to STAND for the fair and just contract the members need and deserve.

Monday May 4, 2009

Completing 30 days without a contract, members remain as mobilized as they were prior to expiration standing every hour and wearing red to show solidarity. 

Friday May 1, 2009

Wearing black every Friday started as we mourned the loss of thousands of Union jobs at at&t.  Today, it reminds us that at&t refuses to bargain job security, including a national transfer plan, and denies CWA members access to the jobs of the future...without it, we could be the next casualties of at&t's lay offs. 

Thursday April 30, 2009

There was something red in every cube today.  Way to show our strength and solidarity!  Shirts, signs, hats, arm bands, bracelets.  Great job everyone! 

Remember to focus on Quality Service in the call centers, and Quality & Safety in the field.   We want to make sure that our workers are safe, and that our customers experience the best service in the industry.  Our vast knowledge, experience and attention to detail is what sets CWA members apart from the competition.   We have made this corporation the success that it is today.  We are proud, we are CWA and we are the Network, standing together at AT&T. 

Wednesday April 29, 2009

Labor Notes (a MI labor paper) highlighted our contract battle at at&t.  The article featured a picture from a Minneapolis rally, starring Nichole Graham! Mobilizers continue to stand and show solidarity for bargaining.  

http://www.cwa-union.org/att/mobilize/att-cloaks-itself-in-crisis.html 

Tuesday April 28, 2009

Members stand in support of the bargaining team for the fair contract that we need and deserve.  UU1020 was successful today.  NLRB charges were filed today against AT&T (GNFO) for instituting a new and arbitrary policy requiring a doctor note to support absences of any length.  To date we have been notified that 15 Network Technical Specialists in 3 of our 5 states have been denied payment for personal illness since the contract expired, violating Article 20 of the Contract.  Changing policies & working conditions unilaterally is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.  Keep us informed of any changes in working conditions, as these are illegal and warrant additional NLRB charges. 

Monday April 27, 2009

Members & mobilizers continue hourly actions in the call center.  Bargaining reports remain available on the web & in the break rooms in the call centers.  Drastic Action Team continues with covert operations, and operation orange has launched into full throttle. 

Friday April 24, 2009

Members in Minneapolis wore shorts, sandals, flip flops & sunglasses to work for "Fake sick, going to the beach day" today.  Mobilizers passed out red plastic leis to complete the ensemble!  We received a shortened version of the "we are the network" flyer distributed at the shareholder meeting this morning.   

View "We are the Network" distributed by CWA at the AT&T Shareholder meeting Dallas

pics from shareholder activities                           click here for fake sick pix

Thursday April 23, 2009

Solidarity day found over 90% of the members wearing red.  Standing hourly commenced, with clicking on the even hours.  Mobilizers reminded members about the e-meeting, where over 20,000 CWA members logged on to view the meeting live.  Members and Officers also joined from the Union Hall.   Shout out to Dawn Milton 7250 member, who was one of the first voices on the "We are the network, standing together at AT&T" at the end of the meeting.  Congrats to all of the mobilizers that appeared in the pictures that rolled through the call as well! 

Wednesday April 22, 2009

Members drew attention to AT&T's crappy healthcare proposals by dressing as Doctors & Patients today, and practiced health care on each other in preparation for the cuts the company wants to administer to our benefits.  We continued to stand for retiree and active healthcare hourly, clicking on the even hours between 8AM - 4PM.  Members not dressed as doctors & patients, were wearing red.  click here for pictures

Tuesday April 21, 2009

As part of Healthcare week, today was "So sick I barely made it to work" Day.  Members showed up for work in their pajamas.  The flyer for Thursday's e-meeting was distributed today. Members continued to stand for a fair contract.  Those not in pajamas, were showing solidarity and support by wearing red. click here for pictures

Monday April 20, 2009

Members continue to wear red and stand for a fair contract hourly. 

Friday April 17, 2009

Members continued to stand & click hourly.  Rubber gloves & condoms were passed out to the membership stating "CWA Mobilization, your protection against Corporate Greed" along with a reminder to wear red & black

Thursday April 16, 2009

Officers & Stewards distributed "cookies for a fair contract" to the members in the Minneapolis Business Collection Center & Wholesale Dispute Center's along with a 2-sided flyer explaining why we stand & click hourly / why we wear red & black.  Members continued to stand & click for a fair contract 

click here to view stand & click / wear red & Black

Wednesday April 15, 2009

Members received a flyer with a picture of a skunk & "AT&T Bargaining Proposals... both of these stink".  Standing and making noise continues hourly in the Minneapolis Call Centers click here to view the skunk flyer & other displays of unity in cubes

Tuesday April 14, 2009

"Ready to walk for..." fliers were distributed today.  Members filled out what issues they are ready to strike over & posted them at their desks.  Most had something to do with Health care!  We continued to stand and click every 30 minutes today.  Area Vice President Don Waalen filed charges against AT&T at the National Labor Relations Board for the company's continued interference with our legal right to mobilize.  VP Waalen sited over 50 instances of illegal actions agaisnt AT&T, just last week alone.   We will continue to file charges as long as the management continues harassing our members. 

Monday April 13 2009

Members continued to stand & click every 30 minutes for a fair contract.  Management continued to unsuccessfully interfere with our right to participate in concerted activities.   Drastic Action Team mission completed.  

Saturday April 11, 2009

Saturday's picketing of District Manager Ed Beek's & Center Manager Rita Falkowski's houses have been cancelled.  Apparently we should have done that last Saturday before the contract expired and saved the Best Buy action for this week.  Now that the contract has expired, we can only picket those managers directly responsible for bargaining.  Once we are back under contract, it will be legal to picket managements residences, and leaflet their communities, especially for all the Unfair Labor Practice Violations that Rita & Ed keep committing when they attempt to interfere with our right to concerted activity (mobilization).

Friday April 10, 2009

In addition the hourly stand ups & clicking, the members in one are started stomp, stomp, click...stomp, stomp, click (like the beginning of "we will rock you"). Once again management in the Collections center tried to interfere with our Federal right to participate in concerted activity.   They hounded the members so badly, the workers began to stand & click every 30 minutes instead of every hour, and were quickly joined by other work groups.    Managers were so angry with the Union Leadership that at least 4 managers retaliated by harassing the Local President's daughter.  Retaliation of any kind for participating in concerted activity is a violation of our Federal rights.  That  means another Unfair Labor Practice Charge at the National Labor Relations Board.   How many are they up to this week?   I think the count is over 25.   We also had around 95% participation in wearing black today.  Great job mobilizing everyone!  We need to continue to show the company that we are solid, and they won't break us at work or on the picket line.

 The Drastic Action Team was on Orange Alert today. 

Stay strong. Stay Mobilized. 

click here to view video

Thursday April 9, 2009

Today we focused on AT&T's Corporate greed, the reason we work without a contract today.  Members continue to stand  & click  hourly.  Over 50 members attended an informational picket between 11:30 & 1:00 on their breaks and lunches today.  We let the company know that we need a contract, and until we get one, we will continue with our concerted activities.   Flyers were passed out to the public to let them know about AT&T's corporate greed, and to ask for support with signing the petition on www.standupforworkers.com.  The Drastic Action Continued Operation Underground 

  click here for pictures               click here for video            click for WorkdayMinnesota Story

Wednesday April 8, 2009

Today we took a stand hourly for a fair contract.  Managers unsuccessfully attempted again to silence the workers.  You are participating in a concerted activity, which is protected by the National Labor Relations Act.  If managers are commenting, like "Put your money where your mouth is & walk", please let us know.  The company knows we have a right to mobilize around negotiating the contract.  If they don't like it, they should be calling Lori Smith, Steve Leonard, Joe Macken, Susan Evans (company bargainers) & tell them to settle the contract.   Candy Kisses were passed out with 5 great messages on them including, "Won't kiss health care goodbye", "Kiss (candy) my (donkey) Don't mess with health care", "Like the auto industry? My (donkey).  AT&T made $12.9 Billion in profits in 2008" "Kiss (candy) OFF.  Leave Health Care Alone"  Drastic Action Team Black Squad began Operation Underground today.  

Click to see label styles

Tuesday April 7, 2009

Today members showed solidarity by gathering in the lobby & walking in to work together before the start of each shift.  We will continue this activity every day until we get a contract.   Hourly stand ups & clicking to support bargaining continued. A flood of red shirts cascaded through the office.  Drastic Action Report: Code Green & Falcon Launch - Missions Accomplished!     Rumor squelch...members have NOT resigned from the Illinois locals.   

Randall Stephenson comparison

Monday April 6, 2009

Members and mobilizers continued to wear red & take a stand today.   Despite Managements efforts to silence our activities, we remained strong in our efforts.  We posted "NO S**T Sandwiches" at our cubes. (Spit? Soot? Salt?) The Drastic Action Team went into stealth mode today.  

click to view Workday Minnesota Article

Sunday April 5, 2009

Members left the Contract Expiration joined an informational picket at 11:45 pm yesterday.   The snow fell as the midnight expiration passed.  Future Senator Al Franken and Congressman Patrick Kennedy stopped by and showed support for CWA as we continue negotiations with our greedy employer at&t.   Downtown Minneapolis was filled with many Labor leaders that also wished us luck with our contract.   We continued our picket for an hour and in grand CWA tradition promised "We'll be back".      click here for pictures       

Al Franken video                  midnight  picket                   video 3

Saturday April 4, 2009

Approximately 100 members and family of CWA Locals 7200 & 7250 congregated to mourn the expiration of the 2005 Operations Collective Bargaining Agreement with at&t.  We continue to support the bargaining team as they negotiate our wages, benefits, working conditions, and battle to protect retiree health care and pensions.  We made picket signs as we prepared for our midnight strike & worked on many actions for this week.  click for pictures

Friday April 3, 2009

Members took a stand in support of bargaining every hour starting at 8 AM until 4 PM.  Management has asked us to decrease our noise level, so it's time to pump up the volume!   Members wore black today and continued to pack and take home personal items.   Mobilizers distributed memorial cards to remind everyone we are mourning the expiration of the contract. 

Thursday April 2, 2009

Mobility Orange Contract Ratified today! 

Today members took a stand at 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 2 & 3 in support of bargaining.  Members received and packed their strike preparation bags & took home all personal items they didn't want SCABS and managers have access to while we are on strike.   We also received the Job Safety flier & "CWA on Strike" signs to post on our monitors when we leave.  click here to view  video

Wednesday April 1, 2009

Members took a stand today at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2 & 3 today in support of bargaining.  Mobilizers passed out suckers with stickers that read "AT&T thinks we're suckers" and "We're no DUM-DUMs".   Members came to the hall at 6:30 for a National Bargaining call with Vice President Ralph Maly and the bargaining team.  We received the grim news that at&t still isn't serious about bargaining, and we only have 72 hours before expiration.   click here to see video                  click for pic

Tuesday March 31, 2009

Members wore red & took a stand today at 11, 12, 1, 2 & 3 today in support of bargaining a fair contract.    EVP Mona Meyer & Pres Shari Wojtowicz were 2 of over 150 Union members participating in a rally during the District 7 conference in support of Local 7750 Denver and legacy T bargaining.  click here to view pictures

Monday March 30, 2009

300 Members took a stand today at 11, 1, 2 & 3 PM today in support of bargaining and retiree health care and passed out mini-picket signs.  Some of our clickers disappeared, so a group of mobilizers made new noise makers out of cans, screws and duct tape!  Thanks for the opportunity whoever store the clickers!  click here to view Workday Minnesota Article

Saturday March 28, 2009

Thank you to all the members & mobilizers that came to the Union hall.  Our organizing campaign was fun and successful.  The workers (including management) that we talked to today were very interested in how forming a Union can give them a voice at work.   The passing of the Employee Free Choice Act will give workers, like we talked to today, the ability to join a Union without fear or intimidation from their employer.   Great job everyone! 

Friday March 27, 2009

Reminding the company we "Will Strike if Provoked", the clicker (pencil/ruler) noise level again elevated over yesterday as over 300 members took a stand at 11 AM & 1 PM for a fair contract.  The majority of employees were wearing black today in support of bargaining.  

Thursday March 26, 2009

Inside members took a stand @ 11AM & 1PM to let at&t know 7250 members are strong, and will remain solid on our picket line.  350 mini-picket signs were posted stating "United We Bargain, Divided we beg.  I won't SCAB."    We had nearly 100% participation today wearing RED.  With each stand up, the participation and the clicker/noise volume increases!  We participated in a rally & informational picket on the corner of 9th & Marquette from 11:30 - 1:00 PM. 

click here to view pictures from inside actions                click here for WorkdayMinnesota story

click here to view rally pictures

Wednesday March 25, 2009

CWA 7250 members took a stand at 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM to tell at&t that we are ready to go on strike, unless they are ready to bargain a fair contract.  Mobilizers passed out tootsie rolls, with a message "Our tootsies are ready to roll" 

click here to view pictures

Tuesday March 24, 2009

CWA 7250 members took a stand against the corporation's retrogressive proposals today at 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM. Mobilizers passed out mini-picket signs stating "Hands off Health Care" & "No Take backs"  

click here to view pictures

Monday March 23, 2009

CWA 7250 members in 2 call centers took a stand in support of the CWA Legacy T bargaining team today at 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM.  Mobilizers passed out signs stating "I support my bargaining team".  

click here to view pictures

Saturday March 21, 2009

Mobilizers and families came to the Union hall to work on upcoming mobilization activities.   Thank you all for your help.  Through mobilization, we are the POWER behind the  bargaining team.  

Thursday March 19, 2009

Today 325 fliers & mini picket signs regarding job security were distributed in the Business Collections & Wholesale Centers. 

AT&T is attempting to lower the bar on job security at the bargaining table.

We took a stand for job security at 11:00 AM to show at&t we won’t just sit around while they continue to attack our jobs.

WE ARE the POWER behind the bargaining team.    

Click here for pictures

Wednesday March 18,2009

CWA Local 7250 members @ at&t core overwhelmingly vote to authorize a strike.  A strike is our last option during bargaining.  at&t has to stop passing retrogressive proposals across the bargaining table, there are only 17 days of left before expiration. 

Monday March 16, 2009

Ballots mailed to all Mobility members today.  Make sure you exercise your rights to vote on the tentative agreement.  Follow the instructions and send the ballots back right so your voice will be heard. 

Saturday March 14,2009

Local 7250 members gathered at the hall to work on upcoming mobilization actions.  Thank you all for your help! 

Mobility store event cancelled pending ratification of the Tentative Agreement

Thursday March 12, 2009

300 members @ at&t's business collection and wholesale dispute centers participated in job actions today to fight at&t's attack on active and retiree healthcare.   We let the company know that Cutting Health Care is a Sick Idea, by wearing band-aids, scrubs & using other medical devices (crutches, slings, sleep apnea masks, etc) click here for Workday Minnesota Article

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Wednesday March 4, 2009

Nearly 300 members @ 901 Marquette marked their Strike Authorization ballots and signed up for picket duty in preparation to counter at&t's continuous retrogressive bargaining proposals.

click to view photos

Saturday February 28, 2009

                     The temperature gauge read 5 degrees @ 9:30 AM...                          As CWA members working at at&t Mobility wind down their 3rd week of working without a contract, Local 7250 Members, family and D7 Staff, turned up the heat on the West St Paul at&t store.  

Picketing for respect, and a fair contract; the members outside chanted "No Contract, No Peace", "Contract NOW", "We are the FRONT LINE, not the BOTTOM LINE", and reminded the management inside that until we get a contract, "We'll be back".    

Our message about the workers struggle for respect, better working conditions, job security and career advancement was well received and supported by the customers and the community.   

click here for West St Paul video (first draft - check back for final version)

February 24, 2009

Bargaining for our at&t contract (legacy t) began today in Oakton, VA.  Here at home we wore red in support of our CWA Bargaining Team & passed out fliers in the workplace.  Workers from various departments took a "Stand" for bargaining. 

We were notified that mobility bargaining will start again later this week. 

February 18, 2009

Steward's Army Members (mobilizers) gathered at the Union Hall prior to the Membership meeting to make picket signs in preparation for a strike at at&t.   

We remain prepared for a strike, whether provoked by the stalled Mobility negotiations (contract expired February 7), or by the Core contract expiration April 4th.   Core bargaining begins February 24th.  Wear red to support the Bargaining Team as we enter into negotiations for Core. 

As we discussed at the membership meeting, we are one CWA working at one at$t regardless of the business unit.  Even though we have different contracts, we support each other through mobilization.  When you cut one of us, we all bleed.  Stay Strong.  Stay Mobilized.  Through Solidarity we will persevere.  

February 14, 2009

It was a balmy 11 degrees and snowing in Roseville, MN when members from CWA Local 7250 met for our at&t Mobility RESPECT picket at 9:15am.   Before we could even start the demonstration, 2 of Roseville's finest arrived to inquire about our activities.  We simply explained that the at&t Mobility contract expired February 7, and we are here for RESPECT.  The Police told us to have fun and drove away.

Much to the callers dismay, our mobilization continued for over an hour, with customers arriving, and a continuous loop of Aretha Franklin's R-E-S-P-E-C-T playing.  The Area Manager (ARSM) happened to be in the store, and stopped to briefly talk, and take pictures of us from his phone as he left the parking lot.  The frigid temperatures caused us to cut our event short.  When we were ready to leave 7250 Executive Vice President Mona Meyer, and President Shari Wojtowicz went into the store to talk to the workers and management. 

Despite the cold, we were happy to show support to our Sisters and Brothers @ mobility who are currently working without a contract. (more pics @ bottom)

Click here for RESPECT picket Video

February 13, 2009

CWA Members called 611 and the toll free customer care number throughout the day to wish our Sisters and Brothers @ mobility call centers luck in bargaining, and to let them know that CWA is behind them in their struggle for a fair and equitable contract. 

February 12, 2009

CWA members circulated the Valentines petitions for Randall Stephenson in our  collections center and mobility retail stores and we were able to get signatures from 250 members.  We also circulated the link to the on-line e-activist petition. 

February 9, 2009 - 7:00 PM

We had several reports the last 2 days that managers are arriving late in the morning to open stores.   If they can't handle unlocking doors on time, how are they going to take care of our customers if we strike? 

If you are being asked to become a key holder again, politely decline & notify the Union and Asset Protection.  The managers considered us a security risk prior to the contract ending, how does that change now that we are working without a contract?  Click here to view flyer about keys

If you are given a work directive to carry keys before we reach a tentative agreement, take the keys as directed, and notify the Union right away. 

Keep wearing your solidarity bracelets & CWA pins.  We need to know if you have been directed to remove or prohibited from wearing them.  It's illegal for them to stop you. 

February 8, 2009 - 12:00 PM

The bargaining team will again begin meeting with the company at 1:00 PM EST.  The company proved in the final hours of the contract that they are still set on dragging their feet and not resolving our key issues. 

We need your help.  Support your bargaining team & stand strong to achieve the contract you need and deserve.   Do not take back your keys or your security codes...are you less of a security risk today then you were yesterday?    

Wear your red "CWA" pins, your red "CWA SOLIDARITY" bracelets, or anything else red (tank top, scarf, earrings).  If you are advised you can not wear them, we need to know immediately so we can file charges against the company.  It is illegal for them to try to stop you from participating in Union actions while we are bargaining your contract.

February 7, 2009

CWA Locals 7200 & 7250 hosted a contract expiration party for the bargained for call center and retail store members starting at 6PM.

Over 100 members, Stewards, Local Officers & CWA Staff reps and their families filtered through the Union hall throughout the night. 

There were about 20 die hards left, (including 2 SCABs spying for the company), when we got the announcement that the Bargaining Team stopped the clock. 

A special thanks goes out to CWA Staff Al Piker, and Lawrence Sandoval for showing their support for the at$t mobility members and bargaining team!  

The most distance traveled award goes to Tim Wilde & Sarah Mohawk for traveling from Rochester to the cities to attend.  You Guys ROCK! 

February 6, 2009 - 4:00 PM

Reports have been coming in from all around the state that the company is making RSC's turn in their keys & changing codes on the storerooms so our members can not access them.  

Good news!  That means managers will have to open and close the stores EVERYDAY until we get a contract.  They will also need to be in the stores from open to close to open the storeroom for our customer sales.  And they thought they were going to get overworked during a strike...

Do not take the keys, or the responsibility of opening and closing the store back until the contract is settled.  If we were a security risk before contract expiration, we remain a security risk until a tentative agreement is reached.  

February 5, 2009 - 7:30 PM 

Bulletin Boards just like this are arriving in every store in the Minnesota Metro area and soon to follow in the out state stores. 

Members all across 7250 are wearing red "CWA SOLIDARITY" bracelets in support of mobility bargaining. 

7200/7250 are co-hosting a contract expiration party where hundreds of mobility workers and their families will be anxiously waiting for updates from the bargaining team Saturday night and for authorization to begin manning picket lines at our 32 retail stores & 2 large call centers. 

January 21, 2009 

The mobility bargaining fliers were sent out to all of our Mobility members along with their strike ballots and red CWA SOLIDARITY bracelets for them to wear every day.

We amended the letter for core and distributed them to our 5 states.   We also handed out red CWA SOLIDARITY bracelets to core and asked them to begin wearing them today, and to wear them until ALL of the at&t contracts are settled.

Because of the CWA SOLIDARITY bracelets, we had 100% of our members that were contacted today wearing red to show solidarity for mobility bargaining.

June 3, 2008

Keeping with the CWA bargaining slogan for at&t:

One Union, One Fight, One Future, and with the CWA District 7 slogan: One Voice, One Vote, One Victory;

Minnesota CWA Locals 7200 & 7250 mobilizers (workers at Qwest, Legacy T at&t, and at&t Mobility) converged at 7:45 AM to greet and support mobility workers on the first day of national healthcare bargaining, and to pass out unity flyers and band-aids to workers on their way in to work at the two at&t Mobility call centers locations in Bloomington, MN ... click here for full story