AT&T Starts Off 2012 with Job Cuts

January 6, 2012- AT&T announced today it plans to further reduce headcount by eliminating jobs held by members of IBEW Local Union 21.  These jobs cuts result from AT&T’s 2011 decision to close two centers in downtown Chicago.  They will offer Voluntary SIPP packages to other employees in our jurisdiction.

In Chicago two surpluses were declared.  In the center at 10 S. Canal, AT&T is declaring seventy-eight (78) employees surplus. At the 311 S. Washington center, AT&T is declaring thirty-four (34) employee’s surplus. Employees affected at both of these locations are covered under the Surplus language contained in our current collective bargaining agreement.

In First Mile, C&E and I&M organizations, AT&T is offering Voluntary SIPP packages to over three hundred (300) employees.  These employees are not being declared surplus.  The SIPP offering is voluntary.

In First Mile, Voluntary SIPP packages are being offered to 8 Senior Plant Assigners in Hoffman Estates.   One (1) Drafter and one (1) Administrative Specialist in Springfield can take the Voluntary SIPP offer.

AT&T will be offering Voluntary SIPP packages to the following employees.  In Construction and Engineering (C&E), one hundred thirty-nine (139) Splicer’s and thirty-four (34) Outside Plant Technicians (OPT); and in Installation and Maintenance (I&M), one hundred thirty-nine (139) Customer System Technicians (CST).  After all offers are returned, AT&T will then select which employees will be allowed to leave the payroll.

The Voluntary SIPP packages were distributed to all employees in these three organizations today.  Employees must return their completed packages to management by 5pm on Monday February 6, 2012.  Management will notify employees on February 10, 2012 if their SIPP was accepted.  The off payroll date for those who are accepted will be February 17, 2012.

Off Hours scheduling

Some progress can be reported in discussions with the company over off hours scheduling.  After our union representatives met with bosses on January 4th management agreed to eliminate all POTS work and will only use DSL out of service cases and U-Verse helper tickets to determine the number of off hours shifts.  Management also agreed to solicit volunteers to work an 11:00am-7:30pm shift with the first hour being paid at the premium rate and the rest paid at the 10% shift differential per our collective bargaining agreement. To reduce the impact of off hours shifts management will also see if employees would be interested in working 4/10’s.  Talks on off hours scheduling will continue.  The next meeting is scheduled for January 16, 2012.

Solidarity!