09/13/2024
AT&T Southeast Bargaining Report #71
Yesterday, our bargaining team met with AT&T's representatives several times. Ultimately, the day ended with the company walking away from the bargaining table. While our team remained willing to continue negotiations and work towards an agreement, the company refused to continue bargaining with us. Our team sat at the bargaining table and watched AT&T's representatives exit the building.
Today, our bargaining team met with the company to discuss healthcare. Unfortunately, AT&T's representatives continue to play games at the bargaining table. One of the major issues in negotiations is the "Coordination of Benefits" and AT&T's healthcare "Surcharges". AT&T has misled its employees into thinking we have a 29% cost share agreement, where employees pay 29% and the company pays 71%. This is not the truth.
In reality, every AT&T employee whose spouse has an option for employer provided insurance is hit with a monthly surcharge of $115. In 2023, AT&T collected $4.15 million in surcharges from our members in District 3. This $4.15 million is not factored into the employee cost share. Instead, AT&T takes the $4.15 million dollars and sticks it in their pocket.
Additionally, in 2023, our members who have secondary insurance, contributed $4.5 million in Coordination of Benefits towards our healthcare cost. This $4.5 million dollars is not factored into the employee cost share. Instead, AT&T takes the $4.5 million and sticks it in their pocket, along with the surcharges.
We hope this helps to provide a perspective of what our bargaining team is fighting for. Today, AT&T is taking $8.6 million from our members and refuses to factor that into our healthcare costs, which would lower monthly premiums, deductibles, etc. AT&T is a shining example of corporate greed. It's a shame that AT&T cares so much about their profit margin, but doesn't seem to care at all about the healthcare of its employees.
