Subject: Continuation of Lucent Bargaining

We previously notified all Locals (see message below

from 12/23/02) that, since we made necessary changes

on certain National Issues, we would resume bargaining

today, January 6, 2003.

The Local tables will meet today at 3:00 p.m., and

it has been agreed by the Unions and the Company that

Tentative Agreements must be reached by 11:59 p.m.

January 9th.

We will do our best to provide updates on the Web concerning

our progress.

If we reach tentative agreements by January 9th, we

will advise Locals of the Membership Ratification process,

time limits, etc.

If we reach tentative agreements, there will be a Contract

Explanation meeting for Local delegates sometime during

the already-scheduled Comm/Tech meeting to be held

January 28 - February 1.

In Unity,

Ralph Maly

Vice President

**************************************************

12/23/02

CWA/IBEW TO RESUME EARLY NEGOTIATIONS WITH LUCENT

As you know, Lucent approached the Unions concerning

early bargaining.

After considering the positives and the negatives,

the Unions believe it was in the best interest of those

we represent and our 86,000 retirees to start the process

with a cut-off date to reach a tentative agreement

by October 31st, 2002.

We were unable to reach a satisfactory agreement by

the 31st, but informal discussions continued to take

place concerning national issues.

After weeks of Lucent changing its position we have

reached tentative agreement on the few national items

that remained open. Therefore, the bargaining teams

will resume negotiations on Jan. 6, 2003 with January

9, 2003 at 11:59 PM being the deadline to reach tentative

agreement at all tables.

If an agreement is reached, there will be a contract

explanation meeting held during the C&T leadership

and Bargaining Council meeting scheduled for January

28, 2003 through February 1, 2003. If we do not reach

an agreement the C&T Leadership/Bargaining Council

meeting will take place as presently scheduled.

If an agreement is reached, the national unions and

locals will be announcing information concerning ratification

details in advance so locals can pre-schedule necessary

membership meetings.

In Unity,

Ralph V. Maly, V.P.

Bob Richhart, AAVP

Communications & Technologies

RR/RVM/mbg

opeiu 2, afl-cio

For more information go to

http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/Cpqraz61Adq3/cwa-comtech-org

--------------------------------------------------

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about

this.

http://www.unionvoice.org/join-forward.html?domain=cwa_action&r=lpqraz61L71c