All,
Today the union was notified of several planned reductions in the wireline group. The planned reductions affect the locals members, in wireline, from South Bend to Indy and several towns in between. The planned reductions in the areas outside of Indianapolis are voluntary reductions via a General SIPP. This is a contractual process to reduce headcount by asking for volunteers to leave. In this process, there is no surplus even in the event no one voluntarily leaves. The Indianapolis area reductions are being handled via an upfront SIPP, which is a process that results in a surplus if there are not enough SIPP takers to satisfy the planned headcount reductions. The processes I’ve described are all included in Article 26 of the core contract. The number of members affected will be posted below. These numbers don’t reflect the number of members who will receive a SIPP offer because of the pooled title language in the CBA. We will monitor and fight through every step of the process just as we have in the current surplus. As you all know those affected are not just numbers as the company treats them, to the union they are people with lives and families.
Indianapolis FAA- Planned reduction of 5 Technical Specialist (this is a SIPP that will result in a surplus if the reduction is not achieved via SIPP. It is also a pooled title.)
Indianapolis FAA- Planned reduction of 9 Telecommunications Specialist (this is a SIPP that will result in a surplus if the reduction is not achieved via SIPP. It is also a pooled title.)
Anderson FAA- Customer Service Specialist. This is a General SIPP that will not result in a surplus. The allowable reduction is targeted at 7 for the FAA for anyone interested in SIPP) This current SIPP offer is only being delivered to the affected workgroup; C&E. CWA District 4 attempted to get the company to expand to the offer to all CSS but was unsuccessful.
South Bend FAA- Customer Service Specialist. This is a General SIPP that will not result in a surplus. The allowable reduction is targeted at 3 for the FAA for anyone interested in SIPP) This current SIPP offer is only being delivered to the affected workgroup; C&E. CWA District 4 attempted to get the company to expand to the offer to all CSS but was unsuccessful.
In Solidarity,
Tim Strong, President