On Wednesday, March 13, 2008, members of the bargaining unit at PIW voted in favor of ratification of the tentative agreement reached between CWA and PIW after two prior unsuccessful attempts to ratify. Highlights of the ratified agreement are:

• 2.0% effective June 1, 2007
• 2.5% effective June 1, 2008
• 2.5% effective June 1, 2009
• 3.0% effective June 1, 2010

• $1.50/hr effective 6/1/07 for LIGSW social workers
• $2.00/hr effective 6/1/07 for LICSW social workers
• Retroactive to 6/1/07 for employees hired before 6/1/07
• Retroactive to 1/1/08 for those hired between 6/1/07 and 1/1/08

• Yearly adjustments in accordance with DC government regulations

• Retroactive to 6/1/07 for those on payroll on 6/1/07
• Retroactive to 1/1/08 for those hired between 6/1/07 and 1/1/08

• Full time employees get $1,000
• Part time employees get $500

• No reduction unless hospital census is at 76 or below for 7 consecutive days
• At this time a reduction of hour may be implemented for a period up to 30 days
• Reduction in hours will not exceed 80 hours per shift
• PIW will reimburse employees for lost wages for involuntary reduction of hours if at the end of the year PIW has made a profit and has cash flow in excess of the amount of lost wages.
• At the end of 30 days, reduction in hours must end or PIW must move to a reduction in force

• Limit on use of PRN employees to a maximum of 52,000 hour per year
• PIW will provide regular reports of PRN employees to the Union

The Union extends thanks to the bargaining unit for their patience during these negotiations and especially to the bargaining committee (Gloria Osgood and Jason Goldberg) for their support and diligence.

Our CWA Health Care and Employee Free Choice Act Campaign officially kicked off in Baltimore, Maryland on February 10-13, 2008. Over 125 CWA local union leaders and CWA Staff met for the initial campaign training. This Strategic Industry Fund (SIF) campaign is the first one that has the potential to impact every CWA member and retiree.

The initial plan of the Health Care SIF was adopted by the CWA Executive Board in early summer 2007. Although an official Employee Free Choice Act SIF is in the process of being formulated, the Health Care Campaign will integrate the two issues in its workshops and materials. These two efforts both are dependant on the education and activation of our members, and electing the right officials in the November elections.

The campaign is grounded in the education and activation of CWA members and retirees in forty states and 120 targeted congressional districts across the United States. The Coordinator in District 2 is Carol Summerlyn. Carol will be contacting Local Presidents that have local jurisdiction within each of the targeted congressional districts asking for time at an Executive Board meeting to cover the key elements of this important campaign and to gain support for the campaign plan.

On Tuesday, March 12, 2008, the Network Operations organization under Ki Wilson announced a need to reduce force and intends to offer EISP. The surplus will impact one (1) COT and one (1) Frame Attendance at the 1700 14^th Street N.W. location in Washington, D.C. Volunteers will be accepted as necessary to meet business needs. Packages were mailed to impacted employees beginning on March 12, 2008. The voluntary period will begin on March 19, 2008. Volunteers whose applications are accepted will have an off-payroll date of April 27, 2008.