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1314 to AP: We seek ‘win-win’ agreement
Jurisdiction, Job Security top concerns
01 Apr 2003
Stressing the Union’s desire to keep AP successful in a rapidly changing technological environment, TNG-CWA Local 1314 negotiators outlined more details of the Union’s opening contract proposal Tuesday.
Local 1314 President Karl Jendretzky told AP the company must stop violating the jurisdiction clause of the technicians' contract if it wants to achieve a “win-win” bargaining result.
Since the 1996 contract, Local 1314’s bargaining unit has shrunk by 70 jobs while the number of AP managers has stayed the same or increased. “Data centers are our biggest problem,” Jendretzky said, adding “managers are being added at the cost of good Union technician jobs.” He said the problem was especially acute in Washington, New York, Cranbury, N.J., and Sacramento, Calif.
AP Technology Vice President John Reid told the union the company recognizes that technicians have more direct contact with AP members than other employees, saying the AP knows the value of good customer relations that Local 1314 workers provide.
The Union asked the AP to provide information on projected increases in health care premiums. AP responded the information would be coming soon.
The Union proposed that the following contract articles be continued without change. AP said it would respond at the next bargaining session set for Thursday, April 3.
FIRST—C, Bulletin Board
FIRST—D, Check Off
FIRST—E, Suspension of Union Membership
FIRST—F, Associate Status
FIRST—G, No Layoffs
FIRST—K, Relief Technicians
SECOND—A, Seniority
SECOND—D, Seniority During LOA
SECOND—F, Partial Work Week|
THIRD—A, Work Day
THIRD—B, Work Week
THIRD—C, Overtime in Field
THIRD—D, Short-Trick Workers
THIRD—E, Workplace Safety
THIRD—F, Attire|
THIRD—G, Expense Reimbursements
FOURTH—B, Just Cause
FOURTH—D, Reasonableness of Penalty
FOURTH—E, Written Particulars
FIFTH—A, Arbitration
SEVENTH—A, Staff Reductions
SEVENTH—C, Severance/Automation
SEVENTH—D, Military Replacement Severance
SEVENTH—E, Partial Work Week Severance
SEVENTH—F, Honorable Discharge Severance
EIGHTH—A, Vacancy in Bureau
EIGHTH—B, Standing Bids
EIGHTH—C, Transfer Opportunities
NINTH—A, Swaps
TENTH—A, Resignation Notice
ELEVENTH—A, Communications Assistants
ELEVENTH—B, Technician Specialists
ELEVENTH—C, Emergency Response
ELEVENTH—D, Technician Trainee
FOURTEENTH—A, Distribution of Overtime
FIFTEENTH—A, Overtime Rates
FIFTEENTH—B, Five Hour Minimum
SIXTEENTH—A, Merit
SEVENTEENTH—A, Rotating Overtime List
SEVENTEENTH—B, Short-Trick Work
EIGHTEENTH—A, Work in Higher Classifications
TWENTY-FIRST—A, Sick Leave
TWENTY-SECOND—A, Travel Expenses
TWENTY-FOURTH—B, Long Term Disability
TWENTY-SIXTH—A, Medical Coverage
TWENTY-SIXTH—B, Dental Coverage
TWENTY-SIXTH—D, Prescription Drug Plan
TWENTY-SIXTH—E, Eligibility Provision
TWENTY-SIXTH—G, Dependant Benefit
The Union was represented by Jendretzky, 1st Vice President Pat Turley, 2nd Vice President John Braunreiter, News Media Guild President Tony Winton, Secretary-Treasurer Adolphe Bernotas, and NMG Administrator Kevin Keane.
The AP was represented by Stephen Macri (Attorney and Chief Negotiator), Human Resources Vice President Jim Donna, Reid, Director of Communications Operations Jeffrey Hastie, Director of Safety and Compliance Bruce Richardson, human resources representative Carol Kuzmyak, and Eastern Regional Director