LOCAL 3511
JACKSON, MS
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ARCHIVES
December 2011
This update is for the 401k Savings Plan only. The other beneficiary’s have not changed.
http://netbenefits.fidelity.com
October 2011
Nominations for elected Officers and members of the Local Executive Board were
held at September's monthly meeting.
Ballots have been mailed as of September 16th. Look out for the ballots to arrive
in your mailbox in the next week and FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY. Also,
DO NOT leave blank & AssUMe candidates will win because there is no one else on
the ballot as this will sway the numbers for 'write-in' candidates who may or may
not be eligible or even a member. Vote for all seats even if there is no opposition
in the race as other 'write-in' votes will cancel out your blank ballot. VOTE! VOTE!
VOTE!
October 2011
IT’S TRUE! IT’S TRUE! IT’S TRUE! THE REITREE’S PREMIUMS WENT DOWN
FOR 2012.
The premiums are $9.67 for Individual coverage, $17.41 for 2 Party
coverage and $21.76 for Family coverage. The deductibles and co-pays
stayed the same. And the prescription drug cost stayed the same.
It is nice to share some good news for a change.
Thanks,
Anne Strickland
CWA Managed Care Specialist
September 2011 - DOJ Blocks T-mobile Merger
U.S. Justice Department blocks AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile!!!
The U.S. government on Wednesday sued to block AT&T's $39 billion
purchase of T-Mobile USA, citing concerns it will harm competition in
the wireless market and lead to higher prices.
Click here to read the full article on Yahoo! News
or the Bloomberg article below
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-31/us-files-antitrust-to-block-proposed-att-T-mobile-merger.html
August 2011-Verizon Greed
Aug 08, 2011
Sign the Petition
45,000 Verizon workers are now on strike to stop the attack on the middle class.
The reason? Despite record profits, Verizon is refusing to bargain and is demanding that its workers add to
those profits from their own pockets.
In the last four years alone, Verizon made more than $19 billion in profits and compensated their top five
executives more than a quarter of a billion dollars. But apparently that’s not enough.
Now they’re refusing to bargain. Starting on June 22 Verizon pushed proposals that would let them
outsource more jobs, including sending jobs overseas, slash sick days, eliminate benefits for workers who
get hurt on the job and cut the healthcare benefits they promised retirees. And they haven’t budged.
That’s why 45,000 CWA and IBEW members walked out on Sunday August 7th. To force Verizon to
abandon its Wisconsin-style tactics and come to the bargaining table and negotiate.
America has had enough of corporate greed. Now is the time for Verizon to do the right thing and come
to the bargaining table in good faith instead of trying to kill the American dream for 45,000 middle-class
workers.
Send a letter now to tell Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam to stop Verizon’s attack on the middle class and
share his company’s success with those who made it possible.
http://action.cwa-union.org/c/1153/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2657
June 2011-Dear Local 3511 Members,
Please support our brother and sisters working for Verizon who's contract is set to expire likely
leading to a Strike. REMEMBER, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CROSS ANY PICKETT LINE
WHETHER IT IS MANNED OR NOT!
May 2011-There is currently a lawsuit against AT&T because of reported over-billing on
iPhone & iPad data charges. Click on the link below to read the article from the Houston
Business Journal & once you've read it ask yourself this...Given the current 'state' of our
employment conditions and how business is done these days, How many will be on the next
surplus list due to 'economic conditions' to pay for this?
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2011/05/20/suit-att-overbills-for-iphone-ipad.html?
ana=yfcpc
April 2011 -Below is a link named 'Whatever It Takes'. It is a flyer for Worker's Action Day
that will be held Monday, April 4th in Jackson at the Masonic Temple on Lynch St. Specific
locations, times, speakers/entertainment, & sponsors are located in the flyer below. In addition
to the gathering, we ask that everyone wear red(or orange) on this day to show our solidarity in
our Union, co-workers, & just basic Civil Rights. It is also to educate the rank and file why
unions are important, and how unions are the reason for the pay and benefits we receive and
how they differ from what a cashier at a gas station or fast food worker earns and gets. We
must unite as ONE union if we are to stand up against what we all know is coming with future
bargaining agreements and the effects having the old 'baby bells' split only along union &
Bargaining Agreement lines while pushing the same policies worldwide despite the differences
in contract language. If we wait until bargaining then it's already too late so let's get started
NOW!!
Thank you all.
If you can't view the .pdf file or need the reader click the icon below.
Adobe Version Plain Text Version
Whatever It Takes.PDF Whatever It Takes.TXT
This is a reminder that applications are now being accepted through April 30 for the CWA Joe
Beirne Foundation's annual scholarship offerings for the 2011-2012 school year.
The Foundation's Board of Directors has approved the awarding of fifteen (15) partial college
scholarships of up to $3,000 each, and the winners also will receive second-year scholarships
for the same amount, contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement.
Eligible for the scholarships are CWA members, their spouses, children and grandchildren,
including the dependents of retired, laid-off, or deceased members. Applicants must be high
school graduates or high school students who will graduate during the year in which they
apply. Undergraduate and graduate students returning to school may also apply.
Applications will be available solely online for completion and submission to the Foundation's
website: http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne . The winners will be chosen by lottery
drawing. Further information about the program can be found at the website.
In Unity,
Larry Cohen, President
Communications Workers of America • 501 3rd Street NW • Washington, DC 20001 • 202-
434-1100
This valuable scholarship program is made possible by the funding of CWA locals. For those locals not yet
participating in funding the Beirne scholarships, I urge you to do so. Financial arrangements can be made to
accommodate your local's needs. For more information and assistance, please call 202.434.1403.
March 2011 -Please take a moment of your time to read the following document by David
Hunter of KnoxNews.com about Unions and their importance in todays working community
and some of the myths & truths 'Corporate America' fills our heads with to discourage Union
involvement. The article is very short and to the point and accurately describes why the Union
is not only vital to the working class citizen but also the struggles of past members to gain the
liberties we so often take for granted today. As most of you know, things are rapidly changing
and not many ,if ANY, of these changes are to our benefit. It is a very good article and I hope
it sparks something in you and urges you all to stand together and show these 'Leaders of
Industry' that we will NOT stand for the injustices of the past in today's society in order to turn
a profit from our hard work while constantly taking more and more away from us.
Thank you all.
If you can't view the .pdf file or need the reader click the icon below.
Adobe Version Plain Text Version
Union.PDF Union.TXT
Feb. 2011 - I want to ask each of you to consider doing the following when you are talking on
the phone to any U.S. customer service representative that is based in a foreign country (like
India ). I have done this twice and it works! Any time you call an 800 number (for a credit
card, banking, charter communications, health insurance, insurance, you name it) and you are
transferred to a representative (like in India), please consider doing the following:
After you connect and you realize that the customer service representative is not from the USA
(you can always ask if you are not sure about the accent), please very politely (very politely -
this is not about trashing other cultures) say, "I'd like to speak to a customer service
representative in the United States of America ." The rep might suggest talking to his/her
manager, but, again, politely say, "Thank you, but I'd like to speak to a customer service
representative in the USA ." YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED TO A REP IN
THE USA!! It only takes less than one minute to have your call re-directed to the USA.
Tonight when I got redirected to a USA rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from
Fort Lauderdale, Florida .
Imagine if tomorrow, every U.S. citizen who has to make such a call and then requests a US
rep, imagine how that would ultimately impact the number of U.S. jobs that would need to be
created ASAP.. Imagine what would happen if every U.S. citizen insisted on talking to only U.
S. phone reps from this day on.
So, let's stop the outsourcing of our jobs to cheaper, foreign labor by spreading this information
and implementing this practice both at home and on the job. For example, If I tell 10 people to
consider this and you tell 10 people to consider doing this it becomes an exercise in viral
marketing 101. -See what I mean?
Remember - the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a
foreign phone rep. If you agree, please tell 10 people you know and tell them to tell 10 people
they know....etc...etc...
This update is for the 401k Savings Plan only. The other beneficiary’s have not changed.
http://netbenefits.fidelity.com
October 2011
Nominations for elected Officers and members of the Local Executive Board were
held at September's monthly meeting.
Ballots have been mailed as of September 16th. Look out for the ballots to arrive
in your mailbox in the next week and FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY. Also,
DO NOT leave blank & AssUMe candidates will win because there is no one else on
the ballot as this will sway the numbers for 'write-in' candidates who may or may
not be eligible or even a member. Vote for all seats even if there is no opposition
in the race as other 'write-in' votes will cancel out your blank ballot. VOTE! VOTE!
VOTE!
October 2011
IT’S TRUE! IT’S TRUE! IT’S TRUE! THE REITREE’S PREMIUMS WENT DOWN
FOR 2012.
The premiums are $9.67 for Individual coverage, $17.41 for 2 Party
coverage and $21.76 for Family coverage. The deductibles and co-pays
stayed the same. And the prescription drug cost stayed the same.
It is nice to share some good news for a change.
Thanks,
Anne Strickland
CWA Managed Care Specialist
September 2011 - DOJ Blocks T-mobile Merger
U.S. Justice Department blocks AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile!!!
The U.S. government on Wednesday sued to block AT&T's $39 billion
purchase of T-Mobile USA, citing concerns it will harm competition in
the wireless market and lead to higher prices.
Click here to read the full article on Yahoo! News
or the Bloomberg article below
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-31/us-files-antitrust-to-block-proposed-att-T-mobile-merger.html
August 2011-Verizon Greed
Aug 08, 2011
Sign the Petition
45,000 Verizon workers are now on strike to stop the attack on the middle class.
The reason? Despite record profits, Verizon is refusing to bargain and is demanding that its workers add to
those profits from their own pockets.
In the last four years alone, Verizon made more than $19 billion in profits and compensated their top five
executives more than a quarter of a billion dollars. But apparently that’s not enough.
Now they’re refusing to bargain. Starting on June 22 Verizon pushed proposals that would let them
outsource more jobs, including sending jobs overseas, slash sick days, eliminate benefits for workers who
get hurt on the job and cut the healthcare benefits they promised retirees. And they haven’t budged.
That’s why 45,000 CWA and IBEW members walked out on Sunday August 7th. To force Verizon to
abandon its Wisconsin-style tactics and come to the bargaining table and negotiate.
America has had enough of corporate greed. Now is the time for Verizon to do the right thing and come
to the bargaining table in good faith instead of trying to kill the American dream for 45,000 middle-class
workers.
Send a letter now to tell Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam to stop Verizon’s attack on the middle class and
share his company’s success with those who made it possible.
http://action.cwa-union.org/c/1153/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2657
June 2011-Dear Local 3511 Members,
Please support our brother and sisters working for Verizon who's contract is set to expire likely
leading to a Strike. REMEMBER, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CROSS ANY PICKETT LINE
WHETHER IT IS MANNED OR NOT!
May 2011-There is currently a lawsuit against AT&T because of reported over-billing on
iPhone & iPad data charges. Click on the link below to read the article from the Houston
Business Journal & once you've read it ask yourself this...Given the current 'state' of our
employment conditions and how business is done these days, How many will be on the next
surplus list due to 'economic conditions' to pay for this?
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2011/05/20/suit-att-overbills-for-iphone-ipad.html?
ana=yfcpc
April 2011 -Below is a link named 'Whatever It Takes'. It is a flyer for Worker's Action Day
that will be held Monday, April 4th in Jackson at the Masonic Temple on Lynch St. Specific
locations, times, speakers/entertainment, & sponsors are located in the flyer below. In addition
to the gathering, we ask that everyone wear red(or orange) on this day to show our solidarity in
our Union, co-workers, & just basic Civil Rights. It is also to educate the rank and file why
unions are important, and how unions are the reason for the pay and benefits we receive and
how they differ from what a cashier at a gas station or fast food worker earns and gets. We
must unite as ONE union if we are to stand up against what we all know is coming with future
bargaining agreements and the effects having the old 'baby bells' split only along union &
Bargaining Agreement lines while pushing the same policies worldwide despite the differences
in contract language. If we wait until bargaining then it's already too late so let's get started
NOW!!
Thank you all.
If you can't view the .pdf file or need the reader click the icon below.
Adobe Version Plain Text Version
Whatever It Takes.PDF Whatever It Takes.TXT
- April 1, 2011:
This is a reminder that applications are now being accepted through April 30 for the CWA Joe
Beirne Foundation's annual scholarship offerings for the 2011-2012 school year.
The Foundation's Board of Directors has approved the awarding of fifteen (15) partial college
scholarships of up to $3,000 each, and the winners also will receive second-year scholarships
for the same amount, contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement.
Eligible for the scholarships are CWA members, their spouses, children and grandchildren,
including the dependents of retired, laid-off, or deceased members. Applicants must be high
school graduates or high school students who will graduate during the year in which they
apply. Undergraduate and graduate students returning to school may also apply.
Applications will be available solely online for completion and submission to the Foundation's
website: http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne . The winners will be chosen by lottery
drawing. Further information about the program can be found at the website.
In Unity,
Larry Cohen, President
Communications Workers of America • 501 3rd Street NW • Washington, DC 20001 • 202-
434-1100
This valuable scholarship program is made possible by the funding of CWA locals. For those locals not yet
participating in funding the Beirne scholarships, I urge you to do so. Financial arrangements can be made to
accommodate your local's needs. For more information and assistance, please call 202.434.1403.
March 2011 -Please take a moment of your time to read the following document by David
Hunter of KnoxNews.com about Unions and their importance in todays working community
and some of the myths & truths 'Corporate America' fills our heads with to discourage Union
involvement. The article is very short and to the point and accurately describes why the Union
is not only vital to the working class citizen but also the struggles of past members to gain the
liberties we so often take for granted today. As most of you know, things are rapidly changing
and not many ,if ANY, of these changes are to our benefit. It is a very good article and I hope
it sparks something in you and urges you all to stand together and show these 'Leaders of
Industry' that we will NOT stand for the injustices of the past in today's society in order to turn
a profit from our hard work while constantly taking more and more away from us.
Thank you all.
If you can't view the .pdf file or need the reader click the icon below.
Adobe Version Plain Text Version
Union.PDF Union.TXT
Feb. 2011 - I want to ask each of you to consider doing the following when you are talking on
the phone to any U.S. customer service representative that is based in a foreign country (like
India ). I have done this twice and it works! Any time you call an 800 number (for a credit
card, banking, charter communications, health insurance, insurance, you name it) and you are
transferred to a representative (like in India), please consider doing the following:
After you connect and you realize that the customer service representative is not from the USA
(you can always ask if you are not sure about the accent), please very politely (very politely -
this is not about trashing other cultures) say, "I'd like to speak to a customer service
representative in the United States of America ." The rep might suggest talking to his/her
manager, but, again, politely say, "Thank you, but I'd like to speak to a customer service
representative in the USA ." YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED TO A REP IN
THE USA!! It only takes less than one minute to have your call re-directed to the USA.
Tonight when I got redirected to a USA rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from
Fort Lauderdale, Florida .
Imagine if tomorrow, every U.S. citizen who has to make such a call and then requests a US
rep, imagine how that would ultimately impact the number of U.S. jobs that would need to be
created ASAP.. Imagine what would happen if every U.S. citizen insisted on talking to only U.
S. phone reps from this day on.
So, let's stop the outsourcing of our jobs to cheaper, foreign labor by spreading this information
and implementing this practice both at home and on the job. For example, If I tell 10 people to
consider this and you tell 10 people to consider doing this it becomes an exercise in viral
marketing 101. -See what I mean?
Remember - the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a
foreign phone rep. If you agree, please tell 10 people you know and tell them to tell 10 people
they know....etc...etc...
