Bargaining Update

Lumen

CWA District 6 members at Lumen (formerly known as CenturyLink) are ramping up their mobilization efforts to build power at the bargaining table as they continue to negotiate a new contract. The workers, who are members of CWA Locals 6312, 6300, 6373, and 6311 in Missouri, have been fighting for a fair contract since March. The members have overwhelmingly rejected two previous tentative agreements that did not include adequate wage increases that matched the rising inflation and did not provide any hazard pay for the many hours they worked during the pandemic. The workers are mobilizing by writing letters to the CEO and participating in phone banks demanding a fair contract.

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Union County Division of Social Services

CWA Local 1080 members at the Union County Division of Social Services in New Jersey have ratified a new four-year contract. The contract covers more than 350 members working in the County’s Division of Social Services as social workers, clerks, paralegals, and other positions. Their previous contract expired in June 2020. The members have been actively mobilizing by flooding County Commissioners’ meetings, picketing at lunchtime, and wearing red every Thursday to win a fair contract. The new contract includes wage increases, the addition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday, alternative scheduling, dedicated rooms at each of the three social services locations for workers to conduct personal business, and more.

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Bergen County Board of Social Services

After 20 months without a contract, Bergen County Board of Social Services employees, members of CWA Local 1089, have ratified a new contract. The bargaining team reached an impasse during negotiations. However, the members ramped up their mobilization and built political pressure on County officials to continue negotiating a fair contract. They organized multiple marches, engaged the media and the public, flooded County Board Members with emails, and turned out to several County Commissioners’ meetings. The new three-year contract includes increased wages, an immediate healthcare re-opener to re-negotiate possible savings for members, a one time waiver for healthcare contributions in November 2022, and more.