Bargaining Update June
7, 2010:

YP.com

Negotiations continue to drag on.  Some of it understandably because it is a “first time”contract.

However, it also is because AT&T has changed its
business plan a number of times, and each time, we have had to adjust and re-adjust.

Fortunately, AT&T has settled in on a strategy for the
present, and our attention has been focused on the current and latest business model.

Suffice it to say that although there are several unresolved
issues, the contentious item is compensation.  And, although the Union does not necessarily have an issue with the plan, we do have an issue with the compensation.  After all, it is about the money and the assignment of work.

It is my belief that although we are still bargaining, and
the negotiations are still amicable, the distance between the Company and the Union on compensation is unsettling.

Jon Irelan, Director, Labor Relations, has replaced Fernando
Rios, Executive Director, Special Projects.  Mr. Irelan will be the new Chairman of the Bargaining Committee.  It now appears that YP.com bargaining will be taking place simultaneously with AT&T Advertising Solutions (California). 

AT&T Advertising Solutions

Negotiations on a new contract between IBEW 1269 and
AT&T Advertising Solutions California-Nevada, begins on Thursday, June 10, 2010.  The current contract expires at 11:59 p.m. on August 7, 2010.

The Company committee will consist of Jon Irelan, Director
of Labor Relations, Chairman, and Mark Peters, Director of Sales Operations.  For the Union it will be Peter Pusateri, Business Manager/Financial Secretary, Chairman, and Casey Lewis, President/Assistant Business Manager.

We have notified the Federal Mediation and Conciliation
Service of our intention to open up bargaining, and we have a data request for information from AT&T which we will need for bargaining. We are preparing a Membership Bargaining Questionnaire to be given to our membership for their input on bargaining issues which will be part of the formation of the Union’s bargaining agenda. 

As I have previously reported, all issues are on the
table.  A list of some of the issues although not exclusive, includes the following:

• Compensation, Salary – Commissions

• Medical
  Benefits
• Pensions
• Savings
  / 401k
• Market
  Assignment/ Re-assignment
• Clerical
  Compensation
• Job
  Security

I have asked Assistant Business Manager, Casey Lewis, to
organize and compile a list of stewards and members together with their phone
numbers and email addresses in order to organize, co-ordinate and put in place
an office by office organization with assignments in the event of a “work
stoppage.” 

Digital Graphics Advantage (DGA)

We have a contract re-opener in DGA concurrent with AT&T
Advertising Solutions.

The re-opener coincides with full-blown negotiations with
AT&T Advertising Solutions on Thursday, June 10, 2010.  The re-opener will only be :  Wages - Compensation - Medical Benefits.

Our website will be our official notification of bargaining updates. There will be little to report in the early weeks, so our website may be static in the beginning.  It is also the policy of Business Manager Pusateri not to bargain in the media, so we will give you all the information we can without compromising our bargaining position.

HONOR & STRENGTH

Peter A. Pusateri