MORE NEWS A brief history of CWA Local 9413 By Andrew Barbano CWA 9413 MARK TWAIN'S UNION Mark Twain declares presidential candidacy Longtime ATT/PacBell/NevBell worker and former Idaho CWA president Marge Hanks dies Communications workers picket subcontractor in downtown Reno BARBWIRE CWA supports AT&T contract with Washoe County School District CWA-signatory AT&T applies for its first Nevada video/cable franchise in Reno In Search of Mark Twain and CWA-WTU history       NevadaLabor.com Site Map BREAKING NEWS —> Communications Workers of America National President Pickets with Reno/Stead UAW Strikers Nationwide Release 9-28-2023 Death by a thousand cuts The incredible shrinking phony phone book Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 9-13-2023 DoctorLawyerWatch.com Union members picket "greedy and unaccountable" St. Mary's-Reno Hospital By Jeri Davis / This is Reno 11-9-2020 Intensive care St. Mary's-Reno nurses picket Wednesday September 18, 2019 What's harder: Finding a doctor or Stormy Daniels? Sucking up money: The ever-expanding tentacles of the voracious Renown medical octopus Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno Expanded from the 3-21-2018 Sparks Tribune Gowabunga! Los Angeles Times journalists vote 248-44 to unionize Journalists at the Los Angeles Times have overwhelmingly elected to form a union and be represented by the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America. It's a historical first for the 136-year-old news organization that for much of its history was known for its opposition to organized labor. By James Rufus Koren / Los Angeles Times 19 January 2018 Editor's Note: This website's editor/publisher is a longtime member of Nevada CWA Local 9413/AFL-CIO. Mazeltov! HOT-WIRED (and wireless) STRIKE AT&T Wireless, Wireline and DIRECTV workers walk off the job After AT&T refuses to present serious proposals by deadline, three-day strike hits dozens of cities. First-ever AT&T wireless strike could close many retail stores this weekend. "Frustrated over the lack of progress in contract talks, more than 17,000 AT&T union members in California and Nevada walked off their jobs on Friday." Los Angeles Times / 5-19-2017 CWA wins California/Nevada strike at AT&T By Samantha Masunaga / Los Angeles Times 3-23-2017 Nevada utilities continually consume consumers Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 5-31-2016 Sparks Tribune Longtime CWA member Bill Birkman dies Nevada Alliance for Retired Ameicans / 6-2-2014      30 NOV. 2013 04:26:31 a.m. PST / 12:26:31 ZULU/GMT/SUT/CUT —> Poor Denny's Almanac On this date in 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in the four-year-old hamlet of Florida, Missouri. —> Hot type: Las Vegas Sun burns down on Nov. 20, 1963 The newspaper was formerly the Las Vegas Free Press, owned by the International Typographical Union which long since merged with the Communications Workers of America/AFL-CIO. Reno and Las Vegas publications stayed unionized into the 1970's and early 1980's, but no union shops remain in the hotbed of union activity which is the Nevada of today. What was once may someday come again. Las Vegas Sun / 11-20-2013 AT&T workers demonstrate at AT&T Reno HOT AUGUST STRIKE! AT&T WORKERS STAGE TWO-DAY WALKOUT IN NORTHEASTERN U.S. AND NEVADA-CALIFORNIA AT&T Bargaining Updates from Local 9400 AT&T union workers locked out in Reno Communications Workers union pickets AT&T in Reno Internet call center contract expires CWA 9413's Liz Sorenson wins inaugural César Chávez Silver State Public Service Award as union organizer of the year. CWA WINS AT ST. MARY'S-RENO Thursday, 4 Dec 2008, 12:24 p.m. PST, 20:24 ZULU/GMT/SUT/CUT Innovative CWA campaign results in significant gains for CC Communications workers in Fallon About the Communications Workers of America/AFL-CIO CWA9413.com CWA9400.com THE NEW DEAL CPI PHONES HOME Ending a battle spanning two years, on July 6, 2006, the Churchill County Commission approved a new contract for CC Communications workers which the CWA membership had ratified on June 12. In the news Company and Churchill County officials praise new agreement Lahontan Valley News 7-13-2006 Fallon union ads were not personal attacks Reno Gazette-Journal op-ed 3-13-2006 Guest Editorial: Balancing the Books Union leader corrects inaccurate newspaper story Fallon Star-Press 2-24-2006 The union's victory was largely set in place when an impartial factfinder ruled in May in the union's favor on most of the workers' demands. That decision cut the heart out of the company's stonewalling. Apparently, the county commissioners also saw in it their error in the treatment of their own constituents and employees. Here are the salient points of the new CWA contract with CC Communications.      1. Elimination of a two-tiered pay scale which penalized new-hires. (Editor's note: This is an extreme rarity these days.)      2. An applicable inflation rate of 5%. A raise to that effect was put in place retroactive to June 1, 2005, plus a .25% contribution to the Public Employees Retirement System.      3. Future pay will be indexed to the Urban CPI based on the most recent 12 months ending on March 31 of each year.      4. Stronger safety language.      5. Double- time after 49 hours. The CWA raise is roughly double of what workers in the rest of Churchill County have received. EDITOR'S COMMENT: The wide-ranging effects of this victory should not be underestimated. Contract after contract, in Nevada and across the nation, has resulted in wage increases less than the inflation rate — in effect, a pay cut. Employers and their subcontractors have done so merely because they can. When RTC/Citifare employees struck the Reno-Sparks-Washoe County bus system a few years ago, they were forced by the British-owned management contractor to accept a two percent raise despite the fact that the Regional Transportation Commission had authorized three percent. The workers of CC Communications are to be congratulated for a win in a narrow-minded, media-controlled town like Fallon (see below). Perhaps the lowest insults were those which asserted that phone company jobs are better than most, so take what they give you — even if it's a pay cut — and kwitcherbitchin'. Lots of other unions in particular, and the huge number of unorganized workers across this nation in general, need to heed the example of small, tightly-knit worker groups that have refused to succumb to fear, company intimidation and — in Fallon's case — community-wide shunning and vilification. Repentant world-class union buster Martin Levitt stated in his book, Confessions of a Union-Buster (now in its umpteenth printing), that the few times he was unable to defeat a union came when the workers refused to break solidarity. CC Comm's Fallon workers now rank high in the Nevada labor hall of fame — along with the likes of the Reno Hilton security guards — as shining examples of what can happen if you stand up and fight for your rights. You can prevail even here on the High Desert Plantation in the country with the most repressive labor laws in the industrialized world. If a union can make it in Fallon, imagine the potential elsewhere. Solidarnosc! Be well. Raise hell. BARBWIRE     CENSORED IN FALLON: RADIO STATIONS REFUSE TO AIR UNION WORKERS' ADVERTISING WHICH QUESTIONS PHONE COMPANY EXPENSE ACCOUNTS FALLON (24 Jan. 2006) – Three Fallon radio stations have refused to broadcast advertising which questions expenditures by executives of CC Communications, Churchill County's publicly owned telephone-cable TV-internet service provider.    The commercials will begin airing Wednesday, Jan. 25, on Reno-based stations KOZZ 105.7-fm and KBUL 98.1-fm, both of which have large audiences in Churchill County. CWA 9413 MARK TWAIN'S UNION A brief history of CWA Local 9413 By Andrew Barbano    The banned spots question credit card charges by company managers. CC Communications is compelled by Nevada law to fully disclose expenditures but so far has given the union representing its workers only amounts, dates and vendors.     Communications Workers of America Local 9413/AFL-CIO represents about 65 employees who have worked without a contract since July 1. A new contract was rejected in a vote of the membership last November.     In a letter delivered to CC Comm Human Resources Director Jane Jenkins today, union staff representative John Doran states that "on Nov. 23, 2005, the Union requested a complete list of managers and supervisors who were issued company credit cards, which included the 'monthly breakdown of charges for the past three years for each credit card issued with an explanation for what the charge was for.'     "The Company did not provide 'what the charge was for.' The Union again requests this information. This request is made pursuant to public records as defined in (Nevada Revised Statutes) 239.010." LISTEN FOR YOURSELF Scroll down to listen to each 60-second spot. "What's in your wallet? "CC Expense Account"   Management Meeting 2-2-2006   McCarrell: "There are other charges besides lunches; they total $16.908.79 use of credit cards. With an approximate cost of $1,182.62 in taxes. If we are tax free why are we paying taxes by using credit cards versus purchase orders?"...    "Mr. Feest interrupted Mr. McCarrell informing him to be careful of what you say and you are on record and being recorded and to be careful of what you say."...   Vierra: "This petition asks for a special meeting of the commission to discuss ongoing problems at the telephone company, which continue to destroy employee morale."...   Commissioner Frey: "I'm becoming somewhat offended by the continuous request."... Read the full minutes   In the news CWA leader elected Northern Nevada Central Labor Council secretary-treasurer 3-8-2006 Reno radio used in union battle Sparks Tribune 2-12-2006 Union takes CC Comm expense reports to IRS 2-9-2006 From the Lahontan Valley News Rancor Rises 2-8-2006 Editor: Radio spots a shrewd move 1-30-2006 Telecom GM disciplined for remark to employee 1-6-2006 Workers reject company offer 12-27-2005       The union believes that the company's actions constitute an illegal unfair practice which is governed by the Nevada Local Government Employee-Management Relations Board.     "We could understand KVLV am-fm declining our spot schedule, as County Commissioner Lynn Pearce, who is charged with oversight of CC Communications, is an owner of the station as well as a morning personality," Doran said.     "However, KHWG-am unprofessionally colluded with CC Comm management by playing our commercials for them last week without our permission," Doran added.     "In refusing our paid schedule, KHWG management noted that CC Comm — a citizen-owned company — is a big advertiser," he stated.     "The accuracy of our ads was not questioned," the longtime Nevada labor leader noted.     The commercials state, in part, "If you are one of the chosen few at the top of the food chain, you've been eating good and making lots of interesting purchases in very interesting places, kind of a never-ending card party. The county has a strict policy regulating credit card use.     "Next time you run into CC Communications executive-types at lunch in Fallon, ask them to show you the card — they don't leave home without it.     "Why would they?     "A list of purchases is posted at NevadaLabor.net.     "County Commissioner Lynn Pearce oversees CC Communications.     "Call him at (775) 428-1254.     "Ask him to look in their wallets.    " The CC Communications county credit card — priceless work if you can get it."     The censored commercials are available for listening at NevadaLabor.net. A partial list of vendors patronized with CC Communications credit cards. Blue Ribbon Meats Harmony, Brooklyn New York Cock 'n' Bull Restaurant Bubba Gump Shrimp Company,    New Orleans Lands' End Subway The Fontainebleau, Miami Business Objects Crystal Plumpjack Hotel Squaw Valley Art Today, Inc. Subway again Dairy Queen Oriental Trading Company Sandwinds Restaurant Subway again Late charge (oops) Golf Tournament.com Stratosphere Las Vegas Howlin Good Barbecue McDonalds Royal Towncar Overlimit fee (oops again) Baldini's Sports Casino Mirage, Palms and Hard Rock Hotel,   Las Vegas Port of Subs Sushi Boat Round Table Pizza Westin Maui Leilani's on the Beach, Maui Golden Rice Bowl Total Fitness Athletic Center, Fallon   6-30-2004 Information provided by the company at union request.   2.36.040 County Credit Cards: Each county employee who is issued a county card may only use the credit card to purchase goods or services for the county. An accurate record of expenses to include duplicate receipts of all transactions must be submitted to the comptroller's office for payment. No personal transactions are allowed. Any transactions not in compliance with this section shall subject the employee to disciplinary procedures as outlined in chapter 3.52 of this code and cause forfeiture of said credit card upon an order by the board of commissioners. (Bill 2002-G, 2002) CC Communications Distribution: Salaried Employees Effective Date: February 15, 1992 Revision Date: March 17, 1997 Subject: Credit Card File Under: Administration Page 1 of 1 Pages CREDIT CARD POLICY     The use of a company credit card (Mastercard) for travel and business expenses is encouraged for all management, supervisory and staff employees.     The use of this card allows for the reduction and amount of cash advances. It allows for better record keeping.     Occasional purchases made for the company can save considerable time and effort rather than obtaining a cash advance or using your own credit card or check. These types of purchases should be kept to a minimum.     Do not physically loan your card to any other employee.     Receipts for charges should be kept until you receive the Mastercard bill from Accounting. When approving the bill attach your receipts to it with the purpose and guests appropriately noted on the back of the receipt.   CWA/SBC 2004 Strike Archive About the Communications Workers of America/AFL-CIO Breaking News & Bulletins Annual César Chávez Celebration | Español  Statewide U-News NevadaLabor.com U-News Archives | Teamsters Local 533 Right to Work for Less | Nevada Labor History | Sparks Centennial NevadaLabor.com | U-News | Bulletins + Almanac Casinos Out of Politics (COP) | Sen. 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