CWA Local 3372

Newsline Update Wednesday September 24, 2003

David Robinson's father is in need of blood. You can donate at the Central Kentucky blood bank in his name Daryl Mcintosh.

You will be able to vote at the hall on the company's proposal this Friday the 26th, between 8 and 5. Monday the 29th between 11 and 7. And Tuesday the 30th between 8 and 5. These hours were voted on and approved at the membership meeting.

Voting will be conducted by the election committee downstairs on the meeting side and will be by secret ballot.

If you have any last minute questions the bargaining committee will be upstairs.

The votes will be counted by the election committee on Wednesday evening so we can coordinate with Ashland. Results should be on the newsline by 9:00PM.

After the election it will be important for us to remain solid. Alltel has unified this Local with their behavior. Keeping that solidarity will be necessary regardless of how the vote comes out.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Thursday September 18, 2003

There will be a meeting on Monday September 22nd at 530pm at the Teamsters Hall on Blue Sky Parkway to handout and explain the company's latest proposal.

At this meeting the entire Local 3372 team including our State Rep, Judy Dennis, will be present to answer your Questions.

After this meeting you will have 3 more days to review the proposal and ask additional questions before voting.

Voting on their proposal will then be held at the Union Hall Friday September 26, Monday September 29th, and Tuesday September 30th throughout the day. The bargaining team will be available during voting to clarify anything.

Ballots will be counted on Monday evening October 1st and the results posted immediately.

We are coordinating our process with Ashlands so that we can arrive at the final count at the same time.

We have purposely designed the steps toward voting to allow everyone to be certain that they understand the issues they are voting on.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

Newsline update Sunday September 7, 2003

Our regular membership meeting has been changed to Tuesday September 16th.

The document that the company provides us with this Thursday and Friday in Ashland will not be a tentative agreement. It will be their wish list.

In Alltel's world truth is a negotiable and ever changing reality where yes can mean no and up might mean down. Where what is said before lunch is forgotten on a full stomache. An inability on Alltel's part to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to reaching an agreement has allowed us to proceed this way. You will have a chance to see and vote on what they have in store for us for the next three years.

They will want us to:
Sell or else.
Give up any severance pay, termination pay, and our employee adjustment income plan.
Pay an extraordinarily high percentage of our healthcare cost when we retire.
Allow unlimited contractors in a group then declare a surplus and lay us off while keeping the contractors.
Transfer any work to other areas.

Sure they've allowed us to keep our Pension Plan but who'll be able to retire at 55 with 30 years with the healthcare premiums they want us to pay.

Sure we're only required to pay 15% of our insurance while we're working but that's only for this contract. Just wait till the next one.

Sure they're giving us a small raise but after they take away our team incentive, 401K match, and concession we're making 7-9% less per hour. Which means they will be making 7-9% more. Is your house or car payment gonna go down 7-9%? Are Terry, Chip, and Scott and the rest of the mob gonna work for 7-9% less. Hell no!

Before we started bargaining I asked that Alltel do the right thing. They didn't and here we are. They have another chance to do the right thing. This Thursday respect your employees and present them with a contract that reflects their contribution to your success. You certainly can't plead poverty all you can plead is greed.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Thursday September 4, 2003

We met with the company Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon the company very clearly stated their position by saying that without an agreement on the contracting issue a contract could never be reached. They went on to say that once that issue was settled there was nothing, in their view, left that would hold up a contract.

We took them at their word and worked Tuesday night and Wednesday morning putting together language on the contracting issue. We presented this to the company with the understanding that based on what they had said all the other demands they were making, such as required selling and deletion of termination pay allowances would be removed from the table.

They adjourned to review our proposal and when they returned they told us that we had misunderstood them and they now wanted to discuss selling.

We had a short team meeting and decided unanimously that in the face of their disingenious bargaining we needed to cease discussions and they needed to put together an offer that the membership could vote on. We told them that and next Thursday and Friday we will meet to go over their proposal for a contract. We will then schedule a meeting to present this to everyone and answer any questions. Next we will have 3 days of voting on the document. Once this is over we will announce to the membership and the company whether or not the offer is accepted.

It is important to realize that what we present to you will not, in any way, be a tentative agrement. It is an offer from the company and once we review it, we, your bargaining team, will discuss it with you at the meeting. I'm sure that the company will characterize it as a tentative agreement but that will be one more misleading statement from them.

Bargaining with ALLTEL has been a frustrating experience. They have shown no ability or desire to be honest. The trust that is necessary to put together the pieces that become a contract is nonexistent.

We will notify you of the meeting date, time, and place later.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Friday August 29, 2003

This Monday is Labor Day. The annual CLC picnic will be held at the Horse Park from 11am to 5pm. There will be games, free food, and a chance for union members to win cash prizes. Hope you can attend.

It's a fact that while our country has set aside a day to honor labor they have yet to set aside a day called SCAB Day.

We go back to the table on Tuesday.

The Company continues to insist that the PSC charges are baseless and that they did honor the contract prior to June 7th. There seems to be some disagreement among themselves as we have managers, on tape in grievance meetings admitting that they knew they were violating the contract with their actions.

At first I thought that Alltel was just being contentious with their denials of any wrongdoing then it dawned on me that maybe we were dealing with people with learning disabilities. After all how do you deny that you paid the incentive in a different month then specified on page 136. How do you explain why they couldn't understand the formula on page 138. It's not like it was a quadratic equation it was simply 1 number times another.

So rather than purposely violating the contract they just didn't understand the difference between April and May or how to do simple multiplication. I guess this means that instead of being angry with them I'll just have to pity their lack of ability.

Have a safe holiday.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Sunday August 24, 2003

Thanks to everyone who was at our meeting today. We've laid out all the important proposals as they are today so that you know what's between us.

The last couple of days the Herald Leader has been reporting and editorializing on Alltel. They've reported on the Mayor's letter outlining the deplorable service to the city. They've reported on the PSC ruling saying that the union does have enough of a complaint to warant further information. They've reported on PSC commissioner Spurlin's statement that contract labor, does in some cases, cause poor service.

They've editiorialized on the PSC ruling and urged that body to pursue their investigation into Alltels failure to provide quality service to the citizens of Central Kentucky. They've pointed up that this is not specific to us but also occurred in Nebraska. And in support of their position the Herald Leader reviewed the actual PSC complaints against Alltel. These reports show Alltel to usually be in the number 1 position as to complaints against them month after month. The joke here is that Beeler gives Alltel an A for their performance.

Then yesterday Cheryl Truman, in her column, took Alltels Vice President Stephen Byars to task for accusing Kentuckians of turning in bogus service complaints. She goes on to suggest that Alltel might want to take their service elsewhere and leave us alone. From her mouth to Gods ears.

But all this could well fall on deaf ears as Alltel has shown that they are so arrogant that they don't care about anything except continuing to line their pockets with earnings gained from this sub standard service. After all the less they invest in Kentucky the more they make. They're shameful.

We go back to the table September 2nd to see if maybe they'll be serious about getting a contract.

We've had some trouble in Versailles with a contractor from Michigan. he drives a blue van that's been converted into a bucket. He looks like his last bath was when Reagan was president and the original color of his clothes can no longer be seen. He went off on our picketers, telling them what he was going to do to their wives. A police report was filed. He's another example of Beeler's high road residents.

In solidarity for your local this is mike.

Newsline Update Friday August 22, 2003

This Sunday there will be a meeting for all Alltel members at the Teamsters Hall on Blue Sky Parkway at 4:00 PM. We will go over all the proposals that are currently on the table.

Recently Alltel Management has been quoted in the paper with fantasy and science fiction statements. They blame everybody and everything for their poor performance and customer service. They are incapable of being honest and accepting responsibility for their substandard management capabilities.

See you Sunday.

In solidarity for your local, this is Mike

Newsline Update Wednesday August 20, 2003

There's only one thing tonight. The PSC has ruled in our favor.

In their decision they state and I quote, "The commission has the statutory authority to require that Alltel honor pre existing labor agrements". And "That a utility's use of contract labor so deeply affects employee morale and in, some cases, the quality of service rendered, that the commission has a public duty to routinely scrutinize any decision to replace loyal utility employees with contract labor."

That says it all. I'll update this with more information tomorrow.

In solidarity for your Local this is Mike

Newsline Update Tuesday August 19, 2003

The company called today and requested that we go back to the table on September 2nd. We agreed and will meet then with the mediator.

Our members keep getting hit by Alltel workers. Recently Brenda Ashcraft was hit and knocked down by Kathleen James, an alltel management person in the engineering department. Brenda's elbow was cracked and the police have filed wanton endangerment charges against Kathleen.

Today Ken Hadley was struck and knocked down. The video was inconclusive so no charges were filed.

It would seem to me that there are probably more civilized ways to clear an intersection than running down pedestrians.

The high road is no place for someone on foot I guess.

In solidarity for your Local this is Mike

Newsline update Monday August 18, 2003

We met with the company today and discussed selling, the contractor issue and job security. The company was adamant in their position that they retain wide latitude to utilize contractors and refused to provide no layoff language for the life of the contract.

As for sales they were concerned that without the ability to administer discipline they would not be able to meet any sales quotas or goals they deemed necessary.

Talks ended with no set return date.

In solidarity for your Local this is Mike

Newsline Update Sunday August 17, 2003

Thanks to everyone who was there for our rally and march Friday. Mayor Isaac showed up and marched with us for about a half hour.

The day before the mayor had sent Beeler a letter regarding the deplorable state of service Alltel was providing the city. She also outlined charges to the city Alltel was making for service that was discontinued in March. Alltel seems unable to provide good service and incapable of being honest with their customers as well as their employees.

On Friday Joel Pett, The Herald Leaders editorial cartoonist treated Lexington to a jab at our beloved Alltel.

Then Saturday the Herald Leader's lead story was about Mayor Isaac's letter. All in all Alltell's incopetence and arrogance is beginning to catch up with them. Maybe they should be charged with impersonating a phone company.

I've been giving some thought to this "high road" thing I keep hearing about. If a cockroach lives his life scurrying around in the sewer and he suddenly finds himself in the gutter he might consider that the high road but you know what it's still the gutter.

We go back to the bargaining table tomorrow. I'll update this monday night.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline update Thursday August 14, 2003

Today Mayor Isaac sent Terry Beeler a letter outlining the poor service the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is receiving. In her letter the Mayor reports that as of this morning there were 124 intersections experiencing communications failures with traffic signal circuits. Makes you want to slow down and look both ways when you go through a green light.

She indicates that service problems have increased substantially during Alltel's labor difficulties and that the contractors and managers they have servicing the traffic signals apparently aren't familiar with the technical aspects of the devices they're working on. She went on to say that the technicians who did this job before the strike understood the equipment and could be trusted to maintain service with minimum problems.

The Mayor then went on to review some pre strike problems that are still unresolved involving Alltel billing the county for service that was ordered disconnected on March 27, 2003.

I guess the high road includes poor customer service, billing for non existent service as well as breaking your word.

Tomorrow we will be having major rally and march at 151 MLK from 11 - 2.

In solidarity for your Local this is Mike

Newsline Update Wednesday August 6, 2003

We met with the company Mon., Tue., and today with the federal mediator present. Progress was made on some issues but talks broke down over the issues of job security, contractors, and selling.

We will be going back to the table on the 18th and 19th of august.

Tomorrow we will have a picket captains meeting at the hall at 12noon to talk about some ways to turn up the heat on the company.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline update Monday August 4, 2003

We met with the company today with the Federal Mediator present. After discussions on the contractor issue we recessed till tomorrow. The situation is still whether the company wants a settlement or not. We will know their true intentions tomorrow.

I'll update this tomorrow after we meet.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Sunday August 3, 2003

Well, the northeast managed to do what we couldn't. They got the company (Verizon) to be reasonable. A federal mediator helped both parties move far enough along to continue talks today.

Thanks to all who turned out Friday for our anniversary commemoration. As we enter our second year with Alltel we will be struggling for fairness and decency from them. Their documented attitude of hostility towards their worker will be difficult to deal with.

We go back to the table with a federal mediator Monday. Many of you have asked what I expect and I've told you that it's up to the company. If they continue with their demands and don't want to settle than we will go no place. If they really want to reach an agreement then we'll stand a good chance of getting one.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Wednesday July 30 2003

I'm sure you all know that this Friday August 1st is the 1st anniversary of Alltel's entrance into Kentucky. To mark this day we will hold a wake between 3pm and 7pm at the location on Nicholasville road by Chi Chi's where we've held the other rally's.

Close down the picket sites in time to get there. Wear your red shirts.

We should be getting news from the PSC tomorrow. I'll let you know as soon as I hear.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Thursday July 24, 2003 Today I formally charged the SCABS with violating the CWA constitution by crossing a legal picket line. I've mailed each SCAB the charges and will present them to the EBoard to begin the trial process.

If found guilty the penalty can include being expelled from the union and a fine up to a days basic wage for each day they crossed the picket line. We will agressively pursue collection of any fines imposed should they be found guilty.

Today Mayor Isaac called me and Tilson and told us that because of the information we provided her office she found some contractors that were not licensed or paying taxes in Fayette County. They have been forced to get licensed and will be paying taxes from here on out.

We should consider contacting the other counties and informing them of our findings so that they can conduct an audit themselves.

Once again I want to thank everyone for all their help and support.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

Newsline Update Tuesday July 22, 2003

Well the tentative agreement in Pennsylvania that Beelers been whooping and hollering about is no more. The 2 major units in Pennsylvania Kittaning and Murraysville voted it down. Only the 2 smaller units totaling about 35 members ratified it.

The house of cards that Alltel has built now has 2 cracks in it; Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Don't forget to turn in your appeal to the unemployment commission.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

Newsline update Monday July 21, 2003

Most everybody got their denial letters from the appeal referee today. We will be appealing this to the unemployment commission. There will be a 3 person tribunal reviewing the case and then making a determination. Be sure to follow the appeal instructions on your letter.

We believe that the referee made some bad rulings and it is those that we will be basing our appeal on. We still believe that we have a good case but got a bad decision.

I got a letter today from the Nebraska Local and forwarded it to everyone I have email addresses for. It outlines the similarities between what we're going thru and what happened to them. Reading it is like looking into our future. A company that is morally bankrupt and continues to give out bad information (otherwise known as lying). A company that shows no good faith in dealing with their employees.

If ever we needed a reason to resist these people this letter says it better than I could. I'll have it at the Hall for anyone who wants to read it.

Again thanks for everything you're doing and hang in there.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline update Sunday July 20, 2003

Before I begin let me apologize to Earl Pitts and say thank you for the inspiration.

You know what makes me mad. You know what makes me so mad I just want to put a whoppee cushion on Beelers desk chair and watch him point at Harwood when he sits down.

What makes me mad is a company that brings in felons on the run from the law to do the work of honest people. A company that brings in perverts who try and date their customers. A company that doesn't think enough of their customers to settle the contract and give them quality service. A company that wants to fund the Ford family style of living on the backs of their workers.

That's what makes me mad.

We're 13 days from the strike in the northeast that will put 75,000 CWA and IBEW workers on the street August 2nd. I'm sure that many our contractors will head that way. Let's make sure there's no question on their mind that they're not welcome here. Get with Leonard and help him with roving pickets.

Remember we go back to the table with the mediator on August 4th.

Thanks for all you're doing.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Thursday July 17, 2003

We had our group unemployment hearing today. As it stands the hearing officer committed to render a decision as quickly as possible.

I've already had questions asked as to how I thought it went and the best answer I can give is that I'm not sure. I've been through these and thought I was a winner only to lose and the other way around. I do feel that we will get a fair hearing and that the testimony of the company people cast doubts on their truthfulness.

Ken Hadley was very straight forward during his testimony answering all questions accurately.

As soon as a decision is rendered I will let you know.

Leonard is in need of more roving pickets. Please get in touch with him to get on his list.

Thanks for all you're doing for yourselves and the local. Our future is being decided today. Hang in there.

Don't forget we return to the table Monday August 4th.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline update Tuesday July 16, 2003

We return to the bargining table on Monday August 4th with the mediator present.

I want to caution everyone to stay calm when picketing contractors at their job site. It appears as if they have been instructed to call the police when we show up and then claim harrassment. I talked to an assistant chief of police today and he indicated that they didn't want the aggravation of having to solve these problems.

When you're picketing at a job site do not talk to the contractor in any way and stay at least 10 feet away. This is what the police are looking at. If you're talking to them or to close it can be considered harrassment. We're there to slow them down not to cause a police disturbance. so stay calm.

Today an Alltel customer gave me a door hanger that was left at her house by a contractor named Dave. Good ole Dave had written a request for a date with her daughter and left his pager number so she could call him back.

If you think he's scum what would you call his employer? What do you think Beeler or Harwood would say if it was their daughter being approached by some contractor? Maybe they wouldn't care but most normal people would.

With that in mind remember who we're dealing with.

Leonard and several others went to Somerset today and picketed Alltel's main reporting center. We had the local paper there and were able to get our message out in that Area.

The central labor council is sponsoring their 3rd annual golf scramble on Sunday july 27 at 1:00 pm at the Bluegrass Golf Club at 6000 Harrodsburg Road. Call 273-3791 for information.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

News Line Update Sunday July 13, 2003

We had a great meeting tonight. The turnout was excelent and the recommittment by our members to hang tough was a direct response to the company's last proposals.

As we mentioned the Building Committee and the E Board have voted to release some of the Locals funds to assist our strikers. See Barbara or Kevin for detailed information.

We have new handouts that need to be passed out to the public. The strike headquarters will be duplicating them so get a supply.

As soon as I know the schedule for mediation to begin I will pass it on to you.

Don't forget this Thursday we go for our unemployment hearing and the retirees hearings begin the 22nd of July.

Let me know if you have any questions.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

News Line Update Thursday July 10, 2003

We met again with the company today and will meet again tomorrow. We continue to review and discuss the major proposals. Those are: The contractor issue...retiree healthcare costs...pension plan...active employee healthcare costs...selling. I will give much more in depth information after we are through tomorrow.

It's important to keep in mind what's going on. Alltel would have us working for a couple of dollars an hour less than we are now. That's figured by taking into consideration their proposals that are an additional cost to us, their proposals that take away income and the small wage increase they're offering.

In addition Alltel would have us selling or else. No in between, no excuses. Alltel is so concerned with dominating us that the are even proposing a ridiculous dress code. Then when we disagreed with it they said that they would let it alone and set up a joint committee to discuss it after we had a contract. We asked would the joint committee have to agree to a dress code and they said no, only discuss it and they alone would make the decision. How can you not resist this type of arrogance and bargaining.

So while we are in disagrement with their major regressive proposals we also have a real problem with their overall attitude and disregard for us.

And remember where we wind up this time will be the starting point 3 years from now.

It's again time to write the newspapers, write your state reps, write your local mayors. Let them know the type of neighbor alltel is.

Again I'll be giving in depth information tomorrow after bargaining is over.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update July 9, 2003

We met with the company today and there was progress made on our key issues. Both sides are reviewing various counter proposals and we'll meet tomorrow to try and move closer to a settlement.

Our progress is due to the resolve that you have shown in your effort to get a fair contract. Your work ont the picket line, at the strike headquarters, and on roving pickets are helping us at the table.

I know the hardships that you are going thru but believe that facing these now will avert hardships that would surely have been caused by our accepting earlier offers. Keeping our mind on our goal and continuing to take the actions necessary to achieve it will bring us to the fair contract we need.

We found out today that when our roving pickets show up to picket a contractor he immediately calls in and goes from unit pay to hourly pay. That explains why they usually slow down their work. Doesn't matter to us why...our goal is to slow them down if not run them off.

And a thank you to Bill Land for sponsoring our barbecue yesterday.

The defense fund workers have been busy contacting the utility companies, lending institutions, and other major creditors. They are working to help you with your obligations. Keep in touch with them.

Thanks for all you're doing.

In solidarity for your Local, this is Mike.

Newsline update Monday July 7, 2003

We will be bargaining this Wed, Thu, and Fri at the hall. I ask that we act as good hosts for the company. We will be downstairs so any work that you need to do for the strike upstairs can be done.

Leonard and someone he chooses will be there throughout the day to provide security. We all know that the public and the media are behind us. Let's continue to act in a responsible way. The company would like to irritate us into doing something wrong and failing that might even put one of the SCABS up to accusing us of something.

Don't forget, Jimmy Gurganus, Vice President of the National will be here tomorrow to spend the day with us. Food will be served at the hall from about 10am to 3pm. Come by and talk to Jimmy.Our July membership meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday night at 6pm at the hall.

News Line update for Wednesday July 2, 2003

Don't forget to send Beelers letter back to his house at 2216 Savannah Land 40513.

Friday we'll be marching in the 4th of July parade. It starts at 2pm by the herald leader. We would like to get as many red shirts out there as possible.

After the parade there will be a cookout at red mile in the open area. Admission is $10.00 but if you've got your CWA t shirt on you and your family will be admitted free. The cookout is from 330-600pm.

We'll be having our appeal hearing with the unemployment office the week of the 28th. More information will follow.

As most of you know we have several actions working. We've filed complaints with the PSC and the NLRB. We expect to have answers shortly on both of these.

Today Kevin was on the phone with the defense fund director. He's getting many of your medical needs addressed.

Everyone is doing a great job. The roving pickets keep the contractors on edge and in many cases they tie up extra people.

What about that poor store owner who had his lottery circuit down for about 2 days and couldn't get it fixed? Do you think Alltel cares about the money he lost?

In solidarity for your local this is mike.

News line update Monday June 30, 2003

Don’t forget tomorrow Jimmy Smith, VP District 3 will be at the hall from 10 – 12noon. We’ll have a cookout going so everyone try and get by. Work with your picket captains to rotate your duty so you can get there.

Next week on Tuesday, Jimmy Gurganus will be here for the day.

I heard that a contractor from Ohio who was staying at the sportsmans lodge was held up last night and has since gone back home. I’m sorry for his loss and hope he has a safe trip.

The marathon station near the north CO was broken into and their phone lines cut. This station has been very sympathetic and helpful to us. Could there be a connection to the company like the one they were trying to make between us and the cut cables.

Keep up the roving pickets and when you see someone at a box call the Alltel hot line at 1-800-901-1817 and report it. Don’t assume it’s a contractor. They could be vandalising it.

Keep distributing those 2cent handbills. Get people to black out the barcode.

Wayne Mason has come back from the dark side.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

Newsline update Sunday June 29, 2003

This Tuesday, Jimmy Smith district 3 Vice President, will be here to visit us and visit our picket locations. There will be a cookout at the hall where everyone can come by and talk to him. I will set up the time tomorrow when I get his itenerary.

Friday we will participate in the 4th of July parade downtown. The parade starts a 2:00PM. I will get more details later in the week. Plan to be there.

Be sure to follow all the instructions on your unemployment denial letter. It says that you are to call a number each week. And to send in your appeal letter by a certain date.

Friday afternoon I got a call from the Herald Leader. They had received a press release from Beeler and wanted to know if this one was correct. They read it to me and it was about our return to the bargaining table. Both the reporter and I were shocked that it was accurate.

Between now and the 9th we must keep up the pressure. Continue the roving pickets. Continue to handbill with the 2 cent handout. Continue to write the editorial pages. Continue to call the local talk shows. Continue to contact your state Reps. to have them write Alltel. These are the actions that will help us win a fair contract.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline update Sunday June 22, 2003

The relief fund headquarters will have hours this week from 10-4 Tues. Wed., Thur.

The first relief fund checks will be given to the picket captains for delivery this Tuesday.

I?ve sent out a sample appeal letter for the unemployment. It?s also posted on the website.

Seen at a t-ball game with his Alltel vehicle yesterday. None other than Brady Brooks. Guess that?s a perk for scabbing.

As many of you know I?ve received anonymous letters regarding the strike. I?m reporting the harassment to the FBI tomorrow. I?ll be giving them the Emails so that they can trace them. Once the individual is found I will press charges.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

Newsline update Friday June 20, 2003

We had a great rally today. Mayor Isaacs, the state senators and representatives that were there are evidence of the support we have. The pressure continues to build on Alltel. If we continue to stand tough we will get the fair contract we deserve. Remember who our friends are when it comes time to vote.

Beeler still has trouble with the truth. He was quoted today saying that Alltel had reached a tentative agreement in Pennsylvania. Well the truth is that that is untrue. The company and the union made headway yesterday using a reduced committee. The entire committee will meet next Thursday to vote on yesterday's accomplishments and if they agree then there will be a tentative agreement.

I?ve finally figured out that if I just believe the exact opposite of what Beeler says I will be closer to reality. Alltel could sure use some good ethical leadership in Kentucky.

Denial letters are being sent from the unemployment office. This is standard. There is a provision in the letter for an appeal. Follow this and a date will be set up for a hearing. We will then appear and give our testimony as to what happened. A decision will then be given.

The roving pickets continue to be successful. Volunteer your time. Call Leonard or Tilson.

I will update the news line this weekend if there are any new developments, if not I will do it on Monday evening.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

News line Update Thursday June 19, 2003

I received a report today from a local TV channel that there was an arrest in Hazard of one of the 3371 members who was involved in a shooting. Information is sketchy but it seems that the company faxed the state police report to the media.

This was obviously done in a effort to discredit us and is about as reliable as Beeler's date of the 18th for meetings. They can?t talk about the issues because their greed would show so they just throw out insinuations.

Help me out. We?ve had 4 picketers hit by Alltel or contractor vehicles. Please get the police reports so I can give them to the media.

Pennsylvania reached a tentative agreement today. Their full bargaining team will vote on it next Thursday. The agreement they reached provides that the company will pay a maximum $80 toward retiree health and active employees will pay up to $324 per month.

The locals in Pennsylvania have been Alltel Locals for a long time. This is where we?ll wind up if we don?t continue to take a stand now.

Our roving pickets will form up every morning at 8:00 am at the hall. This is on a volunteer basis. Call Leonard or Tilson or just show up. Roving pickets are the most fun you?ll have this summer fully dressed. When we show up the contractors leave.

Don?t forget if you see anybody at any of the company?s cross boxes or property call their vandalism hotline. Don?t assume it?s one of their workers. We?re on strike. Call 1-800-901-1817 to report potential vandals. They?re offering $10,000.

See you tomorrow at the rally.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline update Tuesday June 17, 2003

As you?ve already heard we won?t be meeting with the company on the 18th. That was just someone?s overactive imagination working. Maybe if they?d put that imagination to good use they could contribute something to the solution instead of continuing to be part of the problem.

We will meet with them when a time can be worked out and when there are new positions to be brought forward.

By the way we detest the imaginary vandalism that is supposedly still occurring. I would suggest that you call 1-800-901-1817, the Alltel vandalism hotline, and report any suspicious activity around any of their equipment. With all the contractors out there in unmarked vehicles I?m sure that we will keep the hotline busy with suspicious activity.

Remember next Wednesday and Thursday We will have insurance information and options available for you. Be at the Hall at 4:00 PM.

This Friday at noon at triangle there will be a rally to support us. Mayor Issacs and other public figures will be there.

Keep manning your pickets and keep in touch with your picket captain.

The first relief fund checks will be distributed on the 24th.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

Newsline update Monday June 16, 2003

We?ve been playing phone tag with Bill Moul, the company?s bargaining chair all day. He called Judy Dennis this morning and we?ve called back several times trying to make contact. As soon as I know something I will pass it on.

We do know that the company is meeting with Pennsylvania on this Thursday at 10AM in Philadelphia.

Your last check will be delivered as follows: If you normally had direct deposit that will be how you receive it. If you normally picked it up the company will mail it to you.

We?re getting some good information on insurance. There will be a meeting next week on Wednesday and Thursday at the Hall at 400PM to go over all the options that have been found.

One thing we probably agree with the company about is the SCABS. I?m sure that they disrespect them as much as us. After all how can you ever trust someone who has turned their backs on their beliefs. They?ve made a mockery of their past and screwed up their future. They?ve taken their 30 pieces of silver and now must live with their decision.

We continue to stay strong. Leonard is organizing mobile pickets to picket the SCABS where they?re working. Word is that it works so well the SCABS in north Carolina working the Verizon strike are leaving because of it. And Ashland is having good success using it.

Our NLRB Charges and our PSC complaint are all coming together. The company will be busy answering these as well as dealing with the unemployment compensation issues.

In Solidarity for your local this is Mike

News Line update Sunday June 15, 2003

Well I guess everybody saw Beeler's letter in the Herald. We will be placing an ad shortly to counter his half truths. I?ll let you know when it will be running.

In the meantime we are running another series of ads on various radio stations in the area.

Don?t forget the relief fund hours of 9-6 this week. If your last name starts with A-G be there on Monday or Tuesday. Last name H-O be there on Wednesday or Thursday. Last name P-Z be there on Friday or Saturday.

I will be in Louisville on Monday with our PSC and NLRB attorneys.

Remember to have your friends, family, and neighbors cancel their calling features.

Keep up with your picket duty and stay in touch with your picket captains.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike

Newsline Update Saturday 6/14/03

We officially answered Beeler's comment that Alltel wanted to meet on the 18th. I?ll quote Judy Dennis?s answer and you can get copies at the hall from Denise Jefferson.

Judy said, "The CWA bargaining team wishes to continue negotiations if in fact this is Alltel?s intent. However, I suggest the proper procedure be followed, and the request be made to me by the Alltel bargaining chair Bill Moul, or I receive notification that you, in fact, have assumed responsibility for contract negotiations."

Truth is Beeler is just playing to the press. They?re trying to get Pennsylvania back to the table at the same time as us and you just can?t be in 2 places at once.

As yet Alltel has not responded to us.

That was a nice little storm we had today. Woodford county got hit pretty hard.

Our new Website is now operating and I want to thank Terry Gabbard for stepping up and getting us going again. This will be an abbreviated site with only strike information for now.

Terry has said she will keep us going until someone volunteers to take it over. Volunteers can call me.

Remember next week we will be taking some road trips to bring our message to other parts of the country where Alltel operates.

Relief fund headquarters hours next week are from 9-6. If your name starts with A-G be there on Monday or Tuesday. If your name starts with H-O be there on Wednesday or Thursday. If your name starts with P-Z be there on Friday or Saturday.

Yard signs will be here Tuesday at the hall.

Remember to have your friends neighbors and family cancel all of their features.

Keep in touch with your picket captains and show up for your picket duty.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.