CWA Idearc Bargaining Report - June 1, 2009
CWA AND IDEARC MEDIA
Valley Forge Contract
BARGAINING REPORT
REPORT DATE June 1, 2009
The Union Responds to Company’s
May 20th Settlement Offer
As mentioned in the May 20th Bargaining Report, Idearc’s Settlement Offer fell woefully short of the Union’s settlement expectations. Today CWA reiterated its demands for improvements in layoff allowance and post layoff medical coverage. Questions arose over the impact of changing pension plans for former Elkins Park employees. The Company agreed to get additional information regarding this matter before our next meeting.
The Union went over, point for point, the Company’s 5/20 settlement offer and, where their proposals failed to adequately respond to the Union’s demands, CWA’s spokesperson reiterated the need for improvement.
CWA and Idearc are in agreement to extend the current collective bargaining agreement to either October 31, 2009 or to the date the Valley Forge facility closes whichever is later.
Idearc informed the Union that it intends to transfer 15 Spec Art Compositors and 4 clerical support titled employees to the Bensalem Sales office by the end of October 2009. The impact of this transfer is a topic of discussion at the bargaining table.
The Company was unable to provide the Union with an economic offer today, and the scheduled meeting for tomorrow, June 2nd, has been postponed to Thursday. Idearc plans to be prepared to make a complete economic settlement offer at that time. In the meantime, your comments and thoughtful recommendations to the Union’s bargaining team have been and continue to be welcome. They have proven to be very helpful in deciding where to focus our emphasis and energy.
Our next Bargaining meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2009.
