CWA says AT&T's 'final offer' just isn't good enough

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/cwa-says-ts-final-offer-just-isnt-good-enough/2009-05-14

May 14, 2009 — 8:33am ET | By Jim O'Neill

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AT&T yesterday said it had made its "last, best and final offer" to 27,000 wireline workers in the company's southwestern region, but the Communications Workers of America said the offer was a major step backward that doesn't "even come up to the status quo."

AT&T's offer includes a 2 percent raise now, and a 2.25 percent increase in 2010 and 2011. It also proposes a $500 bonus if the deal is ratified by June 5. The company said its offer increases pensions, has "above-market health care" benefits and maintains 401k contributions. The offer covers workers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

On Monday, the union proposed a wage increase over the three-year term of the contract of 4.5 percent, 4.25 percent and 4 percent.

Overall, the CWA and AT&T are currently in contract talks for some 80,500 of AT&T's 299,000 workforce.