Union Rejects Pact for GTE Workers

A union representing 1,800 GTE workers in Ventura County has rejected the company’s latest offer to replace a contract that expired in March.

The two sides have been negotiating since January but have not been able to agree on such key issues as seniority and pay raises, according to David W. Salazar, president of the Communications Workers of America’s Ventura County chapter.

“Unless there’s some significant movement, there’s a strong possibility we’ll go out on strike,” Salazar said.

GTE officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The previous contract has been extended indefinitely since it expired March 18, giving the two sides time to reach an agreement.

Union leaders, however, still object to elements of the proposed contract they say would allow GTE to lay off workers regardless of seniority.

Also in dispute is a proposal that would tie pay raises for employees such as the 200 directory assistance operators in Thousand Oaks or the 700 customer contact associates in Oxnard to an incentive plan.

In March, 89% of the union’s statewide membership voted to strike if negotiators fail to reach a satisfactory agreement.

Salazar said, however, that union leaders have not set a date for a strike and would prefer to avoid one.

“The last thing we want to do is put our people on the street,” he said.