Bargaining

So how does bargaining for a contract actually work?

What is the process and timeline?

First, every union member has the opportunity to run and vote in an election to be part of the bargaining committee, and CWA will assign a staff representative and local officers to join them at the bargaining table. The bargaining committee is responsible for soliciting input from the union membership over a period of time in order to determine issues and priorities for bargaining.

Once the bargaining committee has gathered information, they begin the process of bargaining for a contract with Bonterra management. The process of bargaining a contract may be quick or it may take up to a year, and requires continued organizing and mobilizing to ensure that management continues to move forward.

Once bargaining concludes and we feel like we have the best deal, there will be a “tentative agreement.” Our representatives will go over the contract with union members, and we’ll all vote yes or no on the contract. If we vote yes, that’s our collective bargaining agreement, AKA our contract. At this point, dues kick in. If we vote no, our bargaining committee goes back to the negotiating table to work on the agreement more.

Who is our bargaining committee?

From NGP VAN/EA:

Mike Murray - Solutions Architect - Local 1400

Grace Duginski - Marketing Content Specialist - Local 2336

MJ Flott - Migrations Specialist - Local 13000

From CWA:

Tonya Hodges - District 1

Don Trementozzi - President, Local 1400

Keri Evinson - VP, Local 1400

Karen Cusson - Secretary, Local 1400

Melissa Kupihea-Smith - President, Local 2336

Jeff Reamer - VP, Local 13000