CWA 1180 - News

Contract Negotiations 101
November 2003

The Iraq war, combined with tax breaks for the rich, the recession, and 9/11, has taken a heavy toll on city finances and helped stall contract talks between the Mayor and city workers.

As of June 2002, CWA Local 1180 joined the ranks of most other city employees working under an expired contract. As members know, contract negotiations can be a slow process, as city workers go through three rounds of negotiations: the Citywide Contract, the Economic Contract and the Unit Contract. The first step is to develop demands, which are compiled from the Action Surveys that members filled out in September. A group of 1180 stewards then act as the bargaining committee and will take the members’ demands to the City. This contract, health care benefits will likely be the major bargaining point as the Mayor has already declared his intention to pass more of the burden of paying for these benefits onto members.

Phase One: Citywide Contract

This is the current phase of contract negotiations. The citywide contract addresses general working conditions and other non-wage matters for all city workers. Issues such as time and leave, eligibility for health insurance coverage, personnel and pay practices and overtime are decided under the citywide contract. Though it doesn’t establish wages, it does set holidays, annual leave, overtime rules, meal and car allowances and shift differentials that effect members’ pocketbooks.

Phase Two: Economic Contract

The economic agreement determines the overall general wage increases for all public sector CWA locals. This contract also includes provisions for job security, annuities and privatization.

Phase Three: Unit Contract

Unit contracts cover specific economic matters and working conditions for designated groups of workers within Local 1180 called bargaining units. Each unit contract defines items unique to the titles in the unit.

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