Union News & Announcements

That seems to be the question on most everyone's mind.
While we have made great strides over the past few months, it clearly would be premature to say we are "99 percent" of the way to a new contract, an assessment that apparently has been circulated through the building.

Management's proposal to alter layoff language by greatly weakening the role of seniority and eliminating bumping rights is one of several critical issues still to be settled, and one in which the parties still have significant differences of opinion. Other issues still under discussion include the amount of the company's health care contribution, a management proposal to extend an agreement that our local not attempt to organize workers at Boston.com, and the length of the contract.

The Union certainly hopes we will be able to resolve our differences in the near future, but we continue to prepare for the worst, including protests at the Democratic National Convention and another round of CWA-sponsored advertisements. Hopefully, those plans will not need to be implemented.

To that end, however, we will continue to look to the membership for support as negotiations carry on. The outward shows of solidarity have made a difference in the recent progress. We must remain strong to the end.

The Guild Negotiating Team

May 12, 2004