AT&T agreed to a new contract with its largest union yesterday, the Communication Workers of America (CAW), which represents almost 30,000 employees in the Southwest. The agreement covers 16,000 Texas wireline workers, represented by CAW Local 6222. Local union leaders say they do not yet have details of the agreement and will wait to see the contract before deciding either way. A ratification vote is expected by early November. The new contract includes almost a 12% wage increase, but also makes healthcare concessions the union had originally refused. Employees will now have to contribute to healthcare premiums, and will face higher deductibles.
See "AT&T, union agree on contract", David Saleh Rauf, Houston Chronicle, October 13, 2009