News

2011 Local 4502 Negotiations in Planning Stage

In order to properly prepare for the important contract negotiations between the City and CWA lOCAL 4502, President Brien Bellous has begun the preliminary negotiating team set up and strategy. It is obvious to all 4502 members that there is much to work on and correct in relation to the lack of internal parity with all other bargaining units. CWA members have shouldered the burden of budget deficits, wage freezes and benefit erosion far more than other bargaining units, and this negotiation will bring that fact home.

In order for us to be successful as a Union, we need to communicate our desires and needs in a way that is understood and acknowledged. President Bellous has set a process in motion which has not been tried before - allowing Local 4502 to be as successful as possible. The cornerstone of that strategy is to hear from you, the members, on what is most important. The main three issues we know will be coming forward is in the area of wages, benefits and insurance. But that only represents a portion of those things that need to be addressed. It is impossible to bring volumous issues to the table due to the time considerations and priority of our Union. What issues matter most to us as a bargaining unit? That is where we need you to speak up and share your thoughts!

In the coming days, you will be notified of "Town Hall" meetings in which you will be able to share your thoughts and concerns as a community. These meetings will be set up for ease of access and time so that everyone has an opportunity to attend.

The other way Local 4502 will collect your thoughts and ideas will be electronically over this website. We will be creating a web type form that you can fill out and send to us for review and analysis. The negotiating team will review every communication we receive and make recommendations to President Bellous on which items should move forward to the table.

This is our time to regain ground lost. It is a time for us to come together as a cohesive bargaining unit and show the City that we stand as ONE VOICE and ONE UNION. The economic realities that lead to much of this disparity is past; and if we hope to get the attention of the employer ... telling them it is time to correct the inequities they created....we MUST show solidarity and NOT division!! When we speak as one, we will be successful.

Think about the power we all hold. WE are the supervisors, technical and professional staff who keep this City running! The employer would love for us to not use this power or know we even have it. If at this time we would step forward in the workplace and voice our frustration to management over the inquitable treatment we have long received....There could be no stopping the forward momentum.

Watch the website for more information on our negotiating process and how you can be involved.

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