Sprint Workers Go on Strike in Four States

Sprint workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) went on strike at local Sprint telephone operations in Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Indiana. The strike involves about 300 members represented by Local 3871 in Bluff City, Tenn. (Tri-Cities area); about 100 represented by Local 3672 in Hickory, N.C.; 40 represented by Local 4700 in Evansville, Ind., and about 500 represented by Local 3176 in Ocala, Florida.


The CWA issued a statement citing management plans to eliminate the cap on employee contributions to health premiums as the major strike issue.


The union said it was also concerned about company plans to get rid of current limits on transferring work and jobs to outside contractors, eliminate its contributions to the employees' 401(k) savings plan, slash both short-term and long-term disability benefits, eliminate overtime pay for Sunday work, cut back on paid leave for vacations, holidays and sick leave, and weaken workers' seniority rights.

http://www.cwa-union.org/