CWA and SBC Begin Bargaining on a Positive Note.Business Editors WASHINGTON & SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2004 Building on a historically good relationship, SBC (1) (SBC Communications Inc., San Antonio, TX, www.sbc.com) A large, national telecommunications company that grew from a multitude of local and regional companies, including Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell and Nevada Bell, into a single, unified brand by 2002. Communications Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :SBC) and the Communications Workers of America Communications Workers of America (CWA) is the largest communications and media labor union in the United States (the union also has locals in Canada), representing over 700,000 workers in both the private and public sectors. today announced an agreement intended to set a constructive tone for upcoming contract negotiations covering 100,000 workers. CWA CWA Clean Water Act (33 USC) CWA Communications Workers of America CWA Concerned Women for America CWA CEN Workshop Agreement (European pre-normative document) CWA County Warning Area CWA Clean Water Action agreed to give SBC 30 days notice before taking any strike action if a settlement isn't reached by contract expiration EXPIRATION. Cessation; end. As, the expiration of, a lease, of a contract, or statute. 2. In general, the expiration of a contract puts an end to all the engagements of the parties, except to those which arise from the non- fulfillment of obligations created in early April. In turn, SBC agreed that it would continue providing health care benefits to employees in the event there was a strike. The contract covering SBC West employees expires April 1, and those covering SBC Midwest, SBC Southwest and SBC East employees expire April 3. The agreement states that, "We share a mutual long-term objective - SBC as a growing and profitable company with good-paying, secure jobs for the employees." "Over the years we have built a positive relationship based on mutual respect and the understanding of each other's needs," said CWA President Morton Bahr. "We hope to continue that process and to achieve a timely settlement that is fair all the way around." "This agreement is a demonstration of the durability of our longstanding cooperative relationship with the CWA," SBC Chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Ed Whitacre said. "Today, more than ever, we must focus on the needs of our customers to ensure our long-term viability in our highly competitive industry." Whitacre and Bahr agreed that the company and union have some serious issues to resolve at the bargaining table but both pledged to pursue an agreement that is fair to employees and allows the company to compete in a highly competitive market. Bargaining is scheduled to begin in SBC West on Feb. 12 and in the other regions on Feb. 20 or soon thereafter. |
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