Because it has been over a year since CWA reached an agreement with USWest to instruct its members not to wear black armbands in customer contact areas, we wanted to provide an update on the status of the continuing dispute with USWest over protected concerted activities.

Several legal actions are currently pending concerning this issue. CWA and USWest originally agreed to submit the issue of whether bargaining unit members may wear black armbands in customer contact areas to an Arbitrator. This arbitration hearing was held in March, 1999, and written briefs were submitted in May, 1999. We have not yet received the Arbitrator’s decision.

At the same time the agreement was reached to arbitrate the black armbands issue, USWest filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to curtail CWA’s mobilizing activities. CWA then filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB, arguing that USWest was bypassing the contractual grievance and arbitration procedures, and illegally attempting to limit the protected concerted activities of its members and retaliate against those who engaged in such activities. Arguments continue to be pursued in both of these arenas, and no decisions have yet been rendered.

We will keep you posted on the progress of all of these actions. In the interim, please remember that while these matters are pending, CWA members may not authorize, encourage, engage in, or participate in any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, boycott, sympathy strike, or picketing or wearing of arm bands while in contact with USWest customers. This agreement between CWA and USWest has been entered with the U.S. District Court as a temporary restraining order pending the resolution of these issues, and any violation may result in penalties to CWA.

Any new notices will be posted on our website either here or in the News section.