On the picket line

Workers to AT&T: No concessions!

Negotiations between the Communications Workers union, representing about 110,000 workers in locals all over the country, and AT&T, which flaunts its $12.9 billion profits in 2008, are deadlocked. Not only is AT&T demanding that the workers pay three times more for their health care coverage—they already pay $1,100 to $1,500 a year—but it’s refusing to bargain about health care for retirees. It claims that if it continues to pay for that, it will end up bankrupt like Chrysler. But the workers aren’t falling for AT&T’s sob story. Not when they know CEO Randall Stephenson received a 22 percent salary increase last year, while shareholders banked $9.5 billion. Ever since their contract expired April 4, the workers have been asserting their right to a decent contract with rallies, workplace activities and a work-to-rule campaign. For instance, Local 9503 in Southern California took swift action in mid-April when two stewards were written up for refusing overtime. A one-day grievance strike got those charges dismissed. And on April 24 hundreds of CWA members, joined by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, shut down traffic in Los Angeles with an energetic rally. (Labor Notes, April 29) In late March the membership voted overwhelmingly to strike. Will they have to? Stay tuned.

NYC transit workers protest pending layoffs

Even though the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is being bailed out by a deal that includes a 10 percent fare hike, the MTA wants to cut station agent and bus operator jobs, institute a hiring freeze and limit raises to help balance its gaping $1.2 billion deficit. But not without a fight from Transit Workers Union Local 100. On April 23 more than 800 TWU workers rallied outside MTA headquarters in Manhattan to defend their jobs and demand they not take the fall for MTA’s mismanagement. “The troops of Local 100 have emerged from the barracks. The fight is on,” said TWU President Roger Toussaint during the rally. He vowed to fight for a contract that provides parity with other city workers. (The Chief-Leader, May 1)

Will grocery workers strike in Colorado?

Contracts covering 17,000 workers at King Soopers, Safeway and Albertsons in Southern Colorado expired May 9. On May 10 King Soopers workers rejected its latest contract offer, which included cuts in pension benefits and a wage freeze for most workers. The workers, represented by Food and Commercial Workers Union Localö 7, voted May 8 and 9 on whether to authorize a strike (no results at press time). Safeway meat warehouse workers have already authorized one. During the week of May 4 the union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging the three chains are violating labor law by not disclosing certain terms of their collaboration agreement on bargaining. “Union leaders are particularly interested in whether the chains have agreed to lock out all employees if union members at just one chain vote to strike,” noted a May 10 article posted on KKTV.com. “The union also claims King Soopers’ offer of $10.25 an hour for potential temporary workers violates federal law because the wage exceeds pay for many union workers. ... The union says grocery chains are pushing for concessions despite profits, as people eat out less and buy food to cook at home.” Go Local 7!

Scholars, academics support EFCA

The Employee Free Choice Act is getting strong support from more than 1,000 of the country’s top scholars of economics, business, history, law and the social sciences, reported the AFL-CIO Now blog on May 7. Not only did they send a letter to Congress saying quick passage of EFCA is critical to workers and the economy, these professors are also speaking out in public teach-ins, symposia, rallies and letters to elected officials and the media. Authored by historian David Brody, the letter notes: “[W]e understand the importance of a strong, independent and democratic labor movement as a counterweight against excessive corporate power and a bulwark of social inclusion and political participation.” But no matter how prestigious the professors, will such appeals to democracy alone stop the ruling class led by Wal-Mart and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which oppose the EFCA? No way! Only a militant, united fightback led by determined workers all over the country will stop them.