CenturyLink, CWA to vote on Florida labor contract, continue Texas bargaining

CenturyLink workers in Florida represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3176 union will vote on what the telco claims is their last, best and final offer.

The CWA union bargaining committee said it is not recommending the settlement (PDF) because it does little to address the working condition concerns that the union raised.

Union representatives have asked workers to review the agreement and come with any questions they have related to this offer to the explanation meeting being held in Leesburg, Florida, on May 13.

RELATED: CenturyLink, CWA establish tentative agreement covering North Florida workers

In July 2015, CenturyLink and CWA established a tentative agreement with workers in its Northern and Central Florida regions.

Florida is just one of a number of states where CenturyLink and the CWA are negotiating new labor agreements. Over in Texas, the union is negotiating a first contract for CenturyLink retail store workers in Texas, who are members of Local 6174.

The bargaining committee includes Mike Tippie, vice president, Local 6174; Tania Mundy, Local 6174; and CWA District 6 staff Stephanie Collier, bargaining chair.

Last week, the joint union and company committees met to resume negotiations. During a Tuesday meeting, the union presented a package of proposals on how the retail employees will be integrated into the existing contract. 

The next day, CenturyLink rejected the proposed package and made counterproposals on recognition, vacation conversion and floating holidays, work schedules, worker's compensation, overtime and Sunday pay, supervisory pay, pension, reduction in force, commission plan, incentive/recognition plan and wages. 

After negotiations resumed Thursday morning, CWA representatives were joined by Store Manager Carmen Todd to discuss day-to-day operations. At that time, CenturyLink provided additional information on the currently observed holidays versus contractual holidays.