PLOG
All posts by President Dee Garcia
About PLOG
PLOG - you've heard of blogging (weblogs), it's similar, but it's a Presidential Weblog and it is meant to keep you up to date! Check it out!
As your President, I take the responsibility of managing the affairs of our Local very seriously. I enjoy opportunities to talk to our members. This PLOG is another way I am able to communicate with our membership. I will be updating this portion of the website as time permits. I want to encourage you to have frequent discussions with other members, shop stewards, and officers as you can and to check this site periodically to see information available here as well.
In Solidarity,
Dee Garcia
Countdown to 2009
2009 – a year CWA members across the country are focused on, the year several of our current contracts expire. In less than a year several union contracts with AT&T will expire. One of the expiring contracts was negotiated almost five years ago; tough bargaining and a 4 day strike brought us the agreement – exploding health care costs, a challenging economy, and an employer seeking take-backs is shaping up to make this round of bargaining even tougher.
Now is the time to think about what we want in a new contract and how we are going to get it. We need to continue gearing up for the fight ahead. Now is time to unite together in solidarity with our union brothers and sisters in our Local and across the country.
Many members and stewards have approached me to become informed about the process and check the status of our pending contract negotiations (especially with numerous unconfirmed rumors floating around). I would like to share some key points on becoming prepared for the contract expiration:
Retirees Illustrate CEO Pay Crisis in USA
I hope you enjoy the new Positive View and take a moment to take a look at some of the faces on the retiree list. Most of the folks who recently retired did so under AT&T’s ESRO offer. It’s bringing up the CEO retirement plan for Ed Whitacre which includes:
- $158.5 million
- $24,000 annual automobile benefits
- $6,500 annual “home security”
- 10 hours/month of Corporate Jet usage
- $25,000 country-club fees
- Free Healthcare for life
- $1 Million annually for 3 years to be a consultant
- AT&T will pay most of the taxes on the benefits
- And that doesn’t include $31.5 Million from 2006
The CEO pay crisis needs to be addressed.
SiCKO
Several members from our Local watched a screening of Michael Moore's new documentary "SiCKO." I realize Michael Moore can be quite the controversial figure, but the subject matter transcends one's feelings for him. The movie highlights something we already know - the American Healthcare system desperately needs an overhaul. We all know people who don't have healthcare and the subject is the "800-pound gorilla" at every bargaining table we go to. I really appreciate everyone who watched it and highly recommend it to every member of our Local.
It's Our Healthcare!
Our Local participated in the "Road to Healthcare Reform Rally" at the Sacramento stop it made. We joined hundreds of activists and protested the current state of Healthcare in California and the United States.
We were please to be addressed by the Lt. Governor John Garamendi. The time for change is now. See pictures by clicking here.
Website Update, EFCA, Healthcare...etc
I think the new look to the website is awesome. Making resources available on the website is something we really need. News, pictures from events, newsletters, campaigns, and the rest of the content on the site will strengthen our membership.
The Employee Free Choice Act has cleared the US House of Reps and will be voted on any day in the Senate. This legislation will strengthen American's ability to organize and see a voice at the work place. Please check out the information at the AFL-CIO website here.
On Thursday, we will participate in a Healthcare rally at the State Capitol. Please show your support if you have some time (we'll be there in the afternoon). You can call the Hall at 916-484-9421 for more information. Look forward to see pictures added to the detailing the event.