Rumor Mill: AT&T mgmt staying close to the office

apple may reconsider iphone contract if AT&T goes thru a bad strike. give cwa what they want and lets move on. and keep making this company profitable

One thing to keep in mind is over the course of the 2004 contract, pay raises we received were minimal. For many years, AT&T's CWA employees have agreed to very low wage increases to keep from paying insurance premiums. Thus far, AT&T's bargaining commitee is not only asking for healthcare insurance premiums, but also a wage decrease, in many cases. We want a fair contract for directly contributing to the large profits AT&T is enjoying, even in difficult economic times.

just fyi....it isnt that I support the union or dont...its just tactics... but as far as unions they have good and bad... just like anything else...I'm just saying what I do at work and my job duties or supporting a strike isnt because of greed on my part....its about fairness to me as a employee and my family and our well being...its the companies greed to make more profits for the higher ups not because the times call for it or it is neccessary... most managers got screwed too and feel the same way as we do and didnt get there bonus either unless they were at the top...I like my managers and supervisors and work well with them to handle day to day business operations for the simple reasons for everyday needs for costomers like yourself.....so get off the union kick and its members are just greedy and realize that if the union wasnt there 110,000 contract employees and management would all be screwed or taken advantage of ...just to turn a bigger profit....management is a necessity for at&t to operate and I feel the same way about there needs and what they do for the company as I do for mine...most of them get just as screwed as we do because we arent at the top of the ladder....all your doing is justifying ceo share holder greed to the public perspective from your point of view when you dont know anything about me....all because you dont like unions or the fact management choose not to be a part of one or can't by the company...again my point is this ...the whole contract being negotiated is all about greed for the top of ladder of at&t and they dont want the union or to negotiate...for a fair contarct for all involved... and it isnt for times being tough when they make huge profits every year...if it wasnt for the unions and its members and employees of both sides working together with respect for all involved at&t wouldnt have the profits they do... unions help that to be accomplished...I dont oppose anybody that doesnt support the union or a strike and wants to work to survive.... I understand the concept of feeding your family and fighting for what you believe in to be fair...I feel bad for the managers that are on call and standby that will have to do my job and have talked to them extensivly and helped in any way I can...just to be safe and how to do it when they are called upon....trust when I say, they dont like it either ,but again they dont have a choice or they loose their jobs ...I dont wish that upon anybody..I just hope they are safe and make it home every night to there families... but all of this because of company greed... not the membership of the unions or the managers against them.... most of the managers are just as affected as we the memebers are by having to be put on the front lines ....so unless you are at the top getting those big incentives and stand to make a considerable profit.... maybe you shouldnt judge those that are in this situation right now and what they choose to do with out being compassionate towards both sides ...I just want the public to see the real picture of why its all happening to those that are trually going to be affected by it...also you should keep in mind if we werent union represented and didnt have the abilility to negotiate with at&t thru them than I guess the company wouldnt have the need transition its employees and persuade them to go into management because we would all be treated the same.... probably unfair.... for the greed of those at the top and its share holders... its this balance that opportunitys for individuals arise that make it worth the deicision to become a manager or not...so too each its own and I wish the best for all involved but this process helps in that to which I respect... so maybe you shouldn't say its so unfair or lopsided for us to make a decision and take a stance to have fair benefits by it ...if there wasnt this balance to both sides...how would it benefit any of us and our decisions on the career path we choose to have.... why would you become a manager or vice versa if its so bad?....management is the only way to get to the top of the ladder and supporting the greed for those above seems to be the only way that you might get there?...so who is really being greedy...I'm not saying managers are all greedy and thats why they are managers either....in the 11 years I have been there, a lot of my peers are managers now and I support them... I wish them any success they have and hope they get to the top of the ladder...you dont need to step on those below you to get there to do it....thats what at&t wants to do this contract to union memebers and the proposals that are on the table right now and being made to do...just to have more profit for themselves and step on anybody else it affects below them...all because they want the public to believe its needed and a sign of the times in todays economy for unions and membership greed...I wonder why all of the managers wont publically say what they tell me everyday and why I am saying what I am if it isnt true.....loss of a job? I know If I say who I am the sharks will bite me too...

If you work for at&t...sign this and give it to your manager then.....

I am opposed to Unions. I have may excuses for not joining with my co-workers and for not paying my fair share of the Union-negotiated benefits I am receiving every day for free.

And because I am opposed and won’t join the Union, I am therefore equally opposed to all the benefits that the CWA and the other Unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO have won for me over the years.

I refuse from this time forward to accept these and any other benefits that will be won by the Union in the future.

Therefore, I hereby authorize and direct management where I work to withhold in full the amount of all Union-won benefits from my paycheck.

I further authorize the company to keep my share of the Union-won benefits for itself because the company is so good to me on its own that I don’t need or want a Union.

Signed: _______________________

wahhhh....boring! give up your union dues and stop supporting those that capitalize on you!!!!!

You might want to use that 911 service you mentioned so much and call yourself an ambulance, WHEW! What a load of ****

as a 11 year employee for at&t and on the front lines I have this say on my behalf...sign of the times is one thing for business's struggling but at&t just isnt one of them...the men and women that work on the front lines make the conviences and lifelines we all count on from 911 to natural disasters to just browsing the internet and using your cell phones on a day to day basis... no matter the conditions in which we face in the economy... yet alone the wheather...yes times are tuff,,but when I work 160 hours in a pay period for two weeks as the needs of the business calls for... or for the needs of outages caused from some reason or the other... its for one thing only and thats not greed..its for all of you to be able to call 911 or your family, to operate your business's or keep this economy going thru communication and technology...when I hang from a pole 60 feet in the air while its pouring rain and wind is howling 30 mph..it isnt just because of my benefits and pay...you have no idea the sacrafices I make to support my family and why I do it...it isnt because of financial greed...I am 37 years old and have survived 2 heart attacks already and support 4 children and even with my benefits and pay I still just like you...I struggle in todays economy just like you do...and yes my wife works too so we can support our children...But she is going to loose her job just like many of you have...the economy is what it is... for all of us... and effects us all the same... one way or the other...my wife is loosing her job because of the bussiness and profits her company fails to meet like others that are jobless now...the fact is at&t made 12 billion profits last year and ceo's capitilized in on it... its because of what I do everyday...I do it for you to be able to call 911 or your kids and family to stay in touch.. so give me a freaking break... it isnt about cwa or whining workers that have it better than others in todays times...its about the ability for you to have your business and pick up the phone your children to have todays technology available to them for education and pleasure... or that life saving 911 service for all of us...if you think I dont risk my life day to day too do this job and its all so easy and I have it so good than please send in your resume we need more workers and I'll teach you everything I know and how to stay safe because we need more people and hopefully you wont killed and can come home to see your family from doing your job....guess what I am feeling it just like you do... it todays economic times...there are a lot more issues than healthcare and its costs and what I should be able to pay...lets see 2 heart attacks 397.000 dollars billed to insurance at 20 percent for my share with my insurance plan just in me alone not my family medical bills in 4 years time...yeah and at&t still had a 12 billion dollar profit and I am 1 employee...lets see how much would they profit for 100,000 employees and there families not have insurance or for there employees to pay more for it...good logic...yeah because the rest of the country is doing it than we all should have too...yeah that will help all of us and our healthcare system in some manner if every business can do this to us hard working americans...what the heck the doctors will be rich along with all the ceo's in this country...lets also make double time start after 56 hours in a week and force sat/sunday schedules for regular pay ,assign the overtime to who works the least to avoid the overtime, cut more jobs and double the work load, require manadatory weekends and holidays as they feel needed rather than on a voluntary schedule to make a bigger profit for share holders and the ceo's....you dont get it...they just want to cut medical among other things because of greed ...not economy or because they are hurting financially like other companies needed to survive.....because they want sympathy from people like you to say we the workers are greedy in these tuff times...well lets see...they cut our bonuses and down sized the work force and demanded more for less and less thru out these times while they got richer...and the company made huge profits...and yet people like you still say it the times and its fair...yes I love my job because its rewarding to me to see your face when I restore your service or to your ailing family so they can call 911 and you can surf the internet or make a good business and profit from having communications all from my hard work and hanging from 60 ft in the air hours at a time for you...yeah my family doesn't deserve to have good healthcare and I dont deserve to see them because the company only needs to make more money and profit like they do... just because times are tuff for others that makes it right....hello people wake up...I am thankfull for what I have and sympathetic to the times but corperate greed is what this is here and nothing else...just because good working people and business's have failed in these times that makes corperate greed ok and what we should except for those companies that can afford to give families security and a fair wage for what they do and the sacrafices there employees make for a profit of the company...lets all just move to a 3rd world country and starve to make 20 cents a day live in poverty say its because its the economy and happening all over the world so its ok... we should suffer too just like everybody else just so ceo's and share holders can make more money why we suffer for it....I thank god for my skills and my opportunities and knowledge and the fact I have survived 2 heart attacks at my age and I still can go to work to support my family and provide a good service to those in need... it isnt just to be selfish or greedy like you think...to say I have it so good... like you think...is a bunch of you know what...you are right about there is plenty of people out there that will work for less right now and its that mentality that at&t is counting on to be more greedy... so lets all just promote it and say that cwa and at&t employees past and present dont deserve to be treated fairly and should live in poverty for the greed of the rich as a excuse... that way we all can live in poverty together and it will rebuild this country for others just to be greedy....

Looks like your union needs to give you spelling lessons!!!

If the company treats him so bad, and "slaps him in the face" with the contract, and you harbor such a resentment toward the "college boy" managers who are doing the engineering, marketing, sales, finance, and general running of the company...

Why doesn't he just leave?

Unless you have worked for them you wouldn't understand. I sit home alone today with my kids like I have done on so many Saturday's and Sunday's. My husband that is an incredibly hard worker is being forced to work today on his day off by AT&T. He climbs poles whether its 101 or 11 degrees outside. They can force them to work 7 days a week with a 12 hour day minimun day if they feel its necessary and there's not a thing that he can do about it (unless he's on a prescheduled vacation day). He's not been able to see any of his kids soccer games yet this season because he's been forced to come in on his day off. He was not allowed to take off to go to my grandfathers funeral last year because the work load was too heavy. Part of what AT&T is trying to do in this contract is not only make them pay for more of their healthcare but they also want to be able to demand that they work even more overtime when the managers feel the work load is heavy. That is the kind of mentality that the corporate exec's have. This company has gone from promoting from within to hiring straight out of college so they have no idea of what the day to day life is like for someone out on the line. Personally I hope they do go out and strike for at least 2 months. The "college boy" managers have been trained to step in. We've been smart and put money back. Maybe just maybe they would get a clue as to the working conditions these HARD WORKING men and women go through. Its been worth it because of the benefits. But now they want to cut them as well as the # of workers they have so they can work them to death. My husband has been with them for 17 years and his father worked for them for over 30 years. Profits are thru the roof. This has less to do with the economy and more to do with the fact their new CEO hasn't ever worked outside on the line (unlike their previous CEO). He has no respect for what they do. These guys are given no sick time but rather 10 personal days..and are "written up" for poor attendance if they miss 1 day for being sick on a day the work load is high (even with a doctor's order). You are CLEARLY a white collar worker..(as am I) but its a different world for these guys. The kicker is..he likes what he does. He likes working outside..he likes meeting different people and trying to help them out. What they are asking for in this contract is a slap in the face.

get out of the 1890's, you

Re: "Also anybody making these comments even in jest is way out of line. It only adds fuel to the fire. This isn't something to joke about."

Who's joking? Vandalism and terrorism is par for the course for union members. If you don't think so, ask the managers whose cars are keyed and lives are caught up in legal hell by union terrorists feigning injury while the managers just try to go to work during a strike, or by those who take pictures of managers and post them to entice harassment. Even official company literature sent to management employees even tells them to expect shoving and spitting by union oysters while they try to go to work (and to not fight back). They even say to drive an old car to work during the strike; it is a virtual certainty that some union terrorist is going to try to make manager's and contractors' lives hell for doing their jobs.

So yes, vandalism is in the union's thick, disgusting blood.

It is tough to see that we are all taking a you against me attitude when none of us are at the tables presenting the proposals or making the decisions on what happens.

I have yet to find 1 person who is happy about all of this and wants to be deployed. Yet, we have no choice and I can speak for everyone that we will do what we have to in order to keep getting a paycheck.

We have already adjusted to the same requirements for having insurance and continue to live. Everything costs more now and in our economy, having a job, having insurance and being able to bring home some money is a good thing. Yeah we had a sweet deal on insurance too only a couple of years ago, but that is gone.

Take time to talk with people who do not work for AT&T and are not in the union and you will learn that even the deal we have now (and the one proposed) is way better than most persons have at the work if they have an insurance offer at all. I have found myself complaining about the deductible I have to pay and then... oops foot in the mouth... when I hear what my friend and their family has to pay.

I am not saying it is right, but I am saying it is a sign of our times.

Good luck to all.

For those that get pushed into having to strike, I hope it is a short one and you are able to get back to your jobs quickly with a fair deal. Lord knows that you do a hard job that requires intelligence and hard work and do it very well.

For those with no choice and have to go out and perform these tough jobs and leave your families for awhile, do your best but most importantly be safe!

We will all make it through it some how and go on with our lives. Hopefully better for it all and with gracious hearts for everything God has provided for us.

If the pay and benefits are not good enough for the CWA, I am sure they will be for thousands of others who are out of work and more than willing to cross the picket lines. The union is there to see what it can get for itself and for the bottom feeders that it protects. This is not about working conditions and safety, it is about union greed. AT&T isn't asking for paycuts like the UAW had to take. They are asking you to pay a small portion of your healthcare premium just as the managers and employees of other companies have been doing for years. It is the "way of the world", things change and it isn't AT&T's fault that healthcare in our country is so expensive. I know many people who have had to take pay cuts and receive decreased benefits over the past year to stay employed. I believe this isn't the time to be striking and complaining when you have it better than most americans. Good luck in your cause.

Wrong!! SBC took over AT&T and just kept the name. Do more research!

I hope AT&T dumps the union. Let'em go and hire them back without the corrupt political unions leaders to deal with. I have dealt with union within AT&T and union workers have rules and policies that are contrary to business needs and efficiencies. Let me be clear that I do not hope people lose their jobs but I would like to see the workers let go if they strike and then have the opportunity to be hired back.

AT&T might just be prepared for that with the 10's of millions of dollars they have spent training and preparing over the last year for this contract expiration.

Remember Ronald Reagan and the Air Traffic Controllers? If you strike, "have your resume ready" would be a good suggestion.

In my career, I have progressed forward and received better benefits and pay because I worked hard and made myself valuable to the company. I didnt need to group with peers and blackmail them.

Have a great day.

RE: Are all union members terrorists, or just the ones the unions send out to destroy infrastructure?

Also anybody making these comments even in jest is way out of line. It only adds fuel to the fire. This isn't something to joke about.

Something to think about, might not be domestic, might be real terrorists. Has everyone forgotten about the man who was able to fly from Canada all the way to Missouri?

RE: All of the first line managers started as union members, with union protection for their jobs.

For the 100th time not ALL MANAGERS started as union members! This company is a combination of people from different aquisitions over the years. Most of us from mobility have NEVER been represented by any union. I am from mobility I am now part this new AT&T and am now classified as a manager. In my 20 years I have never been or had the opportunity to join a union.
I don't know where you are getting your information about managers, but you need to check your source because the statements you are making are FALSE.
Making blanket statments about different groups of employees is driving us further apart. I wish you all the best and hope you get what you are fighting for. I'm not bothered by the fact I might have to fill in for one of you. My Aunt and Uncle are both retirees that will be impacted by the results of these contract negotiations.
Attacking fellow employees is not going to further your cause. Might give you the ego boost you seem to be begging for. However, it's not going to get you the contract you want.

Are all union members terrorists, or just the ones the unions send out to destroy infrastructure?

sleep well knowing u have a job? what drugs r u on? At least as a union member we have some say...as a manager..u dont have a clue day to day if u have a job or not! I feel bad u r in denial bout that, but that was ur choice when u took the plunge...dont know what level u r and really i get along with my 1st line managers, once u get to 2nd lines..idk bout that...ours constantly scratches private parts and adjusts undergarments in front of the work place...must be an occupational hazzard...need a better health plan then to medicate i guess..my point is..i am on standby for the retiree's...not all about me...bout those who made it for me..

Yes we all can strike at any time and yes..stressfull wondering when AT&T will finally give a fair contract, ESPECIALLY to the retirees!!!I will strike for them! I will still have my job dumbass! If you r so heartless to say who cares bout the retirees and their benefits, maybe u should get a job w the at&t legal department if u r not already there. I sleep better knowing I am fighting for a just cause, not just because i have a job slimeball!

my point is dummy...you have to be on standby too. YOU all can STRIKE at anytime! I will sleep well knowing I will still have a job. thank u.

my response to the dummies fool, yes in order to get our strike pay we do have to put in a certain amt of strike time..but, do u really know what we may strike about u ignoramous? Retiree benefits and health care!! Got greedy ceo and executives making millions upon millions, but oh wait we want to cut the retirees out! If that doesnt make you understand and be upset against at&t I guess you dont have a heart or a conscience. Sleep well

WE all know no one really on here knows crap about the negotiations...status, promises, arguements and agreements. We are all just lower levels being screwed here bickering about things that are completely beyond our control.

BE AT YOUR STRIKE ASSIGNMENTS!! sorry iphone

Ummmm DON'T YOU ALL DUMMIES HAVE TO PAY AT YOUR STRIKE ASSIGNMENTS TOO TO GET YOUR 200 BUCKS???

AT&T took over SBC, not the other way around. The managers have been screwed for the last 15 years. Now, AT&T wants to catch up on the union employees. Randall Steohenson is the sorriest son of a gun you could ever imagine. Watch me lose my pension over saying that!

All of the first line managers started as union members, with union protection for their jobs. They DECIDED to make that leap with promises of a greater future. Now that they are being told that they will get a 5% pay cut, they have the nerve to be upset.But they think we should sign an unfair contract!!!!? They wouldn't agree with it 4 years ago in the last contract when the union was fighting for them. So stop whining now.

Do local unions command their terrorist unions members to sabotage facilities, or do the orders come from the terrorist cells at the national union organization?

Bottom feeders? Not in all cases. As for management taking cuts -- the only cuts I've heard are in jobs. Bring on the severance package! There are some of us who are more than willing to go if the price is right.

And FYI -- Some may think managers are bottom feeders, but at least we're not out cutting fiber cables in key areas of the Bay Area. I hope whoever did that gets slammed at the Federal level. Can you say 3 hots, a cot, and a girlfriend named Bubba?

If you work at AT&T you would know bottom feeders are the ones in management now! And the rumor is from a wall street research firm, they said if AT&T can't get the savings it desired from union it would cut it from managment.

To echo the two posts below: not a rumor. It's true. If you work as a "manager" in AT&T (SBC) you aren't allowed to take an extended vacation that you cannot return from quickly if there is a strike. "Management" employees are the ones caught in the middle of all this.

Can't say I have heard about "managers" taking a 5% pay cut. My guess if that happens the best talent will exit the company. The economy might not be good right now but there is a shortage of good, smart people that know how to execute objectives. What will be left at SBC will be the bottom feeders.

I heard it was a 75% pay cut. U R a bonehead, any other stupid things you want to post? And to the other posting, nice wording, "lev 1's and 2's", if you want to post stupid stuff at least learn the nomenclature first.

What is this project Easter bunny or white rabbit? Is it true all managers will be taking a 5% pay cut after contract is signed?

There is also talk of AT&T selling off wireline assets in areas considered not profitable for fiber based services... It's all about how much bang for your buck...

is it true that att will be laying off more and more lev 1's and 2's and to eventually go w/ contract manager's? heard this from some managers at a local watering hole

Yep it is true, we are not allowed to plan vacation, take classes etc. We have no choice in where we are sent for strike duty. And only under extreme circumstances do we get a day off during a strike i.e. death in immediate family. It does not matter if you have kids or not. You can be sent anywhere at any time. You are expected to make all necessary arrangements to get to your assignment. If you do not show up it is grounds for termination. There is definitely no rumor here.

It's not a rumor. Management cannot even go on vacations if they cannot get back immediately. Management has to be able to get to their strike assignments within 2 hours to 24 hours depending on how far away their assignment is from where they work.