NOKIA BARGAINING REPORT #70

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Late yesterday the Company sent Vice President Bolton a “Best, Last and Final Offer”, which is nothing more than the same offer that they have passed several times before. What's interesting is the accompanying letter to VP Bolton comes on the heels of the NLRB issuing ANOTHER COMPLAINT against Nokia for failure to provide information to the Union that is critical for us to bargain effectively an agreement that is mutually beneficial to both parties. The complaint also charges Nokia with “failing and refusing to bargain collectively and in good faith with the exclusive collective bargaining representative of its employees in violation of Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act.”

In addition, the letter by Steve Muscat is riddled with misstatements designed to lead one to think that in the past two years the Union has done nothing in the way of bargaining on your behalf. What the Company’s letter does is accuses CWA of failure to bargain the effects of the Company’s decision to eliminate the bargaining unit. As you know, our goal all along has been to protect jobs and preserve this bargaining unit.

In yet another interesting turn, the Company bargaining chair also informed VP Bolton that “Nokia intends to share this letter and the Final Offer with employees in the coming days and invites the CWA to meet to answer any questions it may have.” Apparently Nokia feels that if they show you the same offer that is in the contract, and has been offered to you several times already, you’ll find them to be the benevolent employer they claim to be and you will jump at the chance to become unemployed. We will, of course, take the Company up on their offer to meet and ask questions regarding this Best, Last and Final Offer.

One day longer, one day stronger! An injury to one is an injury to all! United We Stand!

Your Bargaining Team,

Mary Jo Reilly

Steve Amato

Luis Benitez