SBC CONTRACT FIGHT COULD RING IN STRIKE.Byline: Nicholas Grudin Staff Writer Another major labor dispute could jar Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, consumers this summer as a contract dispute between 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. 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. has escalated to the point of a threatened strike. 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 President Morton Bahr on Wednesday gave SBC a 30-day strike notice, citing proposed health care reforms and the outsourcing of jobs as key points still at issue after 1 1/2 months of negotiations. The telecommunications labor dispute could have a significant effect on Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. SBC customers, who could see delays to both telephone and Internet service and installation, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. experts. ``This would have a major impact of SBC depending on the length and extent of the strike. It could also have a major impact on the economy, but it's a little early to say,'' said Kent Wong, director of the UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Center for Labor Research and Education. ``When they give a 30-day notice, it's a warning salvo. As the deadline draws near, that's when you'd have a clearer knowledge of the potential extent of the strike.'' With 100,000 union employees nationwide, SBC is the second-largest local telephone company in the country. It has more than 11,000 unionized workers in the Los Angeles area and 30,000 throughout California, including technicians, customer service representatives and operators. Membership votes will take place during the next three weeks and a strike could be announced as soon as April 29. However, CWA officials said Thursday that striking remains a last resort. ``We hope there's not a strike and we very much want to reach a fair agreement in bargaining,'' said spokeswoman Candice Johnson. SBC officials have said they do not expect a strike to be necessary, but they have contingency plans in case one does occur. ``We are naturally disappointed that the union has taken this step, although we are very confident that once the union reviews our proposal, they will appreciate the value and benefits it provides our employees,'' said SBC vice president Karen Jennings. ``SBC has mobilized its contingency plans for a possible work stoppage, plans designed to ensure that customers continue to receive the service they expect.'' The two sides will resume federally mediated negotiations in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. The CWA contract expired last week. Nicholas Grudin, (661) 257-5255 nicholas.grudin(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): box Box: WALKOUT WOES WOES Warrant Officer Education System WOES West Orchard Elementary School |
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