PARTNERSHIP CALENDART-Mobile & Deutsche Telekom | TUworkers.org

2016

DEAR COLLEAGUES,The world in telecom is changing rapidly. The industry is global: companies invest cross-nationally, products and services change constantly, the pressure to compete is high and these forces are aff ecting workers in telecommunications corporations. Companies vary in how they treat their workers. In the United States, T-Mobile actively campaigns against the union, disciplining, intimidating and firing many union activists. In Germany, management at Deutsche Telekom—the controlling shareholder of T-Mobile U.S.—has a basic respect for the union, and union leaders even have positions on company boards! Workers have a voice in the workplace through works councilors and union stewards. Of course, the laws, the culture and institutions are diff erent in the two countries. The eff ects of this anti-union climate in the United States at T-Mobile are tangible. U.S. workers have less job security than their German counterparts. They have few protections against decisions by their abusive supervisors. Their work is more stressful. There are no works councils or stewards who can intervene and protect them. Life is not perfect at Deutsche Telekom workplaces in Germany, but German workers have a voice through their union ver.di and through works councils to improve wages and working conditions and prevent arbitrary management behavior.

Yet, German workers are not secure. European executives look at the anti-union American workplace for inspiration. Terrible management styles and workers without rights—this is being presented as “best practice” that Europeans ought to imitate.

Unions across borders can and want to learn from each other. The ver.di/CWA relationship is an expression of that and at the same time one of the many necessary answers to globalization. We support each other in the struggles we wage in our national contexts. Together we have created TU, and we also have nine “TU Partnerships”—activists in Germany and the United States who spread information and act in concrete solidarity. This worker-to-worker solidarity is unique in the international labor movement.

This calendar is the fruit of their labor. The partnerships individually huddled to distill key diff erences between Germany and the U.S. in 12 diff erent areas of workplace life. The calendar will provoke conversations and debates. That conversation will build a stronger TU in both countries.

Now is the time for T-Mobile to stop interfering in workers’ rights to organize a union in order to create a voice at work. Together we want to achieve fairness, decency and respect in all workplaces on both sides of the Atlantic. We can only be strong when we’re united in a globalized world.

In solidarity,

Chris Shelton | President, Communications Workers of AmericaLothar Schröder | ver.di, Head of Department 9 (Information Technologies and Telecommunications), Member of ver.di Board

HELLO! Welcome to our second TU partnership calendar! TU is the union of T-Mobile workers. Partnerships connect T-Mobile workers in the U.S. with co-workers at parent company Deutsche Telekom in Germany.

We have been active in 2015! Our activism and the evidence we produced about labor law violations spurred the National Labor Relations Board to find T-Mobile guilty of violating U.S. labor law and confirm our right to speak out and talk to each other. Our campaign for a Fair Workweek in Albuquerque pushed the company to reduce Today Codes, double PRETO and introduce paid parental leave! Our petition to urge the German government to intervene got over 50,000 signatures, while 15,000 people signed our petition to demand T-Mobile stop silencing workers who complain about harassment. We increased our membership and encouraged TU members to become more actively

involved. Let’s keep up the good work and push things forward in 2016!

Again this calendar focuses on the diff erences between Germany and the U.S. The contrast is shocking—from dealing with sexual harassment at the workplace to occupational safety to job security. We need to ensure our co-workers know this and join our fight for justice and equal treatment.

We hope you will find a place to display the calendar in your workplace. Last year’s calendar was a great conversation starter. This calendar should be even better! Show it to your co-workers. Explain how the workplace can be diff erent. When we unite and fight together, we can make positive change at T-Mobile for fairness, better treatment and a voice at work.

AbrahamAdrianAlexander AndreasAngelaAngelaAnneBarbaraBerndBettinaBiancaBrentBrigitteCandaceCarolinaCheryl

ChrisChristopherClaus-PeterConstantinCorneliaDanielDanielaDespinaDirkEdgarErikaFlorianFrancescoGabrieleGabyGiovanni

GiselaHans-PeterHeiko KarstenHeinzHolgerIngoIngridIrisJamesJanJarezJasonJerricaJohannJoseJuan

JulianKlausKorneliaLeonsioLuisManuelMarcelMarcusMarioMarkoMarkusMatthiasMichaelMikeMoritzMycheala

NadineNicoleNicolePamPatrickPaul PeterPeterPeterPetraPetraPhilippRadelquisRolandRolandSabine

SandyShannonShaunteStefanieStephanSusanneSvenThomasThomasThomasThomas LudwigTomasValerieVassilikiVictoria

In Unity,

T-MOBILE• There is no job security. Workers can be fired for

any reason or no reason.• T-Mobile closed seven call centers in 2012,

off shoring 3,300 workers; no contract in place, no worker protections.

• CWA fought for and won benefits under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program: extended health insurance, education and job search support.

• As TU gets stronger, our jobs will become more secure.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM• Job security was an important topic in bargaining

for the last couple of years.• In addition to wage increases, the union was able to

negotiate layoff protection for several years in often lengthy negotiations and mostly after going on strike.

• Workplace closings are sometimes impossible to prevent, but ver.di, together with stewards and works councils—“shop-floor” organizations representing workers at the local level—almost always manages to save more locations than the employer plans to close and negotiates social plans (exit packages)for workers.

JOB SECURITY

LOS A

NG

ELES RETA

IL & TSG

MID

JANUARY 2016SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1

New Year’s Day

2

3 4 5 6

Epiphany

7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18

MLK Jr. Day

19 20 21 22 23

24

31

25 26 27 28 29 30

T-MOBILE T-Mobile engages in systematic union avoidance and retains union avoidance law firms.• Union busting is particularly strong in SC.

Concerted attempt by political leaders to develop non-union workforce.

• Gov. Haley promotes SC as a union-free zone, actively campaigns to defeat worker organizing attempts.

• Because of tax giveaways to businesses, and the largely union-free workforce, SC performs poorly on poverty and public health indicators.

• T-Mobile in SC supports this climate.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOMThe German constitution guarantees union access to all workplaces that have at least one member.• At Deutsche Telekom, union density is high,

usually above 75%.• There is no union- or works council-busting at

Deutsche Telekom.• If the company were to try to undermine unions

or works councils, the law gives workers and ver.di many ways to fight back.

UNION TOLERANCEC

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ERLIN

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1 2

Groundhog Day

3 4 5 6

7 8

Shrove Monday Chinese New Year

9 10

Ash Wednesday

11 12 13

14

Valentine’s Day

15

Presidents’ Day

16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29

FEBRUARY 2016

T-MOBILEWorkers at T-Mobile who complain about sexual harassment are forced to sign a nondisclosure agreement that prevents them from talking to anyone about the harassment.• The company threatens workers with discipline and

termination if they violate the gag order.• Speaking out about sexual harassment, however,

gives other victims the courage to speak out.• In 2015, a worker in Oakland, ME, spoke out about her

harassment at work and TU filed charges at the Labor Board. In August 2015, the company was found guilty of illegally silencing her.

• T-Mobile was forced to rescind the policy requiring workers to be silenced in Maine and South Carolina.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOMWorkers can report sexual harassment confidentially or anonymously.• Concrete rules to protect victims of harassment. • The supervisor is the first point of contact. If the

worker does not feel comfortable with the supervisor, he/she can call the ethics helpline.

• ver.di shop stewards and work councils off er support and advice.

• Shop stewards receive special training on supporting victims of harassment.

• A proven case of sexual harassment leads to consequences—including discharge of the perpetrator.

WOMEN’S RIGHTSProtection against sexual harassment

NA

SHV

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DÜ

SSELDO

RF

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13

Daylight Saving Time Begins

14 15 16 17

St. Patrick’s Day

18 19

20

Spring Begins

21 22 23

Holi Begins

24

Purim

25

Good Friday

26

27

EasterDaylight Saving Time Begins

28 29 30 31

MARCH 2016

SALES QUOTAS

T-MOBILE• No union and no contract means workers have no

say in how sales goals are set.• Goals vary and are hard to meet.• There are no team goals; it’s each sales rep for him/

herself, which prevents teamwork in the store.• If you are not able to meet your goals due to issues

outside your control (weather, construction at store, software issues, etc.), goals are not adjusted and appeal is impossible.

• You risk write-ups and possible termination for failing to meet your sales goals for even just one month.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM• High union density and union contract ensures workers

have a say in setting goals.• A worker-employer commission negotiates sales goals.

Only team goals! • If your team doesn’t meet the goals, you can appeal.

Joint commission decides on appeals.• No discipline if you don’t meet the goals.• Big achievement in the shop division: No more variable

part of wage; commissions are on top of wage.

CH

ICA

GO

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IL & TSG

NO

RTH

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1

April Fool’s Day

2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15

Taxes Due

16

17 18 19 20 21 22

Earth Day

23

Passover Begins

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

APRIL 2016

T-MOBILE There is no consistent fairness at T-Mobile:• Favoritism is rampant.• No consistency on policies or rules.• Very arbitrary compensation: seniority not

taken into account.• Employees are often treated with disrespect.• Yelling and discipline in front of peers is very

common.• Organized TU members are able to work together

to make the company follow the laws, but a union contract would give workers more power.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM• Legal rules force employers in Germany to treat

workers with respect and fairness.• Works councils and unions ensure these rules

are respected.• Deutsche Telekom committed itself to respect and

fair behavior with its Code of Conduct and with Guiding Principles.

• Deutsche Telekom “Social Charter” commits company “to treat all employees with respect.”

RESPECT and FAIRNESS SPR

ING

FIELD C

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SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1

May Day

2 3 4 5

Ascension Day

6 7

8

Mother’s Day

9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16

Whit Monday

17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26

Corpus Christi

27 28

29 30

Memorial Day

31

MAY 2016

T-MOBILEFor years, favoritism was the main way our managers ran the store: in scheduling, promotions, etc.• Forming our union wasn’t easy—management fought

us tooth and nail.• With a contract, we have rights and a working

relationship with management.• They call us about personnel changes or to

solve problems.• They promoted a union supporter to a lead salesperson.• We hope that other T-Mobile and Metro PCS workers

join our union—it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.• We are proud members of TU; we now have a voice

at work.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM• Focus on how to improve the team rather than how to

discipline the employee.• Since 2011 new leadership philosophy: Leading in

dialogue and not with performance goals.• Once a year: Roundtable with workers, works councils

and managers from all regions.• Participants discuss and develop leadership mentality

and behavior in Deutsche Telekom Customer Service. • Afterwards, there are regional roundtables.• At the end of the year, all teams in customer service

discuss leadership mentality and behavior.

RELATIONSHIP to MANAGEMENT

NEW

YOR

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ETAIL &

NR

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SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1 2 3 4

5 6

Ramadan Begins

7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14

Flag Day

15 16 17 18

19

Father’s Day

20

Summer Begins

21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

JUNE 2016

T-MOBILETU activists engaged in campaign for fair scheduling and paid sick days—the Fair Workweek campaign.Issues before campaign:• Limited time available for calling in sick• Workers penalized for calling in sick• No parental leave• No say in schedulingTU activists changed that. Now:• More time available for calling in sick• No more penalties for calling in sick• T-Mobile introduced paid parental leave • Being united and speaking out about issues works!

DEUTSCHE TELEKOMThere is a legal minimum requirement of 24 vacation days per year.• At Deutsche Telekom, contracts provide for 30 days of

vacation. If you are sick during your vacation, you can provide the employer with a doctor’s note and receive credit for those days.

• The company has rules about calling in sick. In general, you have to provide a doctor’s note after three days.

FAIR WORKWEEKA

LBU

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AVAR

IA

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1 2

3 4

Independence Day

5

Eid al- Fitr (Ramadan ends)

6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24

31

25 26 27 28 29 30

JULY 2016

T-MOBILE• The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has

issued complaints in 28 cases of unfair labor practices at T-Mobile.

• In March 2015, the NLRB found T-Mobile guilty of 11 violations of U.S. labor law.

• In August 2015, the company was found guilty of additional violations.

• T-Mobile’s illegal behaviors have included harassment, intimidation, misinformation, surveillance and unfair discipline of employees who speak out about working conditions.

• With TU thriving and T-Mobile reeling from NLRB charges, the company now treads more carefully.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOMDeutsche Telekom also violates labor rules in Germany:• There are complaints about incorrect application of

contracts and the Works Constitution Act, wrong application of wage categories, and wrongful discipline or termination.

• Better labor law makes it easier for works councils and unions to hold the company accountable.

• The Works Constitution Act also establishes and regulates penalties against employers.

• These rights have been achieved through long fights by the German union movement.

VIOLATIONS of LAW W

ICH

ITA C

ALL C

ENTER

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OR

TMU

ND

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15

Assumption of Mary

16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

AUGUST 2016

T-MOBILE• The workweek varies depending on business.• Paid time off combines sick leave and vacation:

employees accrue 5.85 hours/pay period (total 19 days first year), which tops out at 25 days/year.

• Weekends are regular workdays.• Many employees use up vacation and sick pay

dealing with stress and then are left with only unpaid time through the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Applying for FMLA leave can be an administrative nightmare for employees.

• Posting of schedules is unpredictable, and shifts change at managers’ discretion.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOMRegulated by law and union contract: • 38-hour workweeks• Vacation: 30 days/year for 5-day workweek, 36 for

6-day workweek; unlimited paid sick days.• Limited work on weekends; Sundays are

purely voluntary.• Protection against overwhelming stress and support

for working parents.• Predictable schedules based on long-term planning.

WORK/LIFEBALANCETE

XAS R

ETAIL &

NR

W

When it comes to reasonable hours, predictable scheduling, vacation and leave policies, the union diff erence is clear. In fact, it ’s like night and day.

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1 2 3

4 5

Labor Day

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22

Autumn Begins

23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

SEPTEMBER 2016

HEALTH & SAFETY

Occupational

DEN

VER

RETA

IL & TSG

SOU

TH

T-MOBILE• Management creates a culture of bullying, which

causes stress-related health concerns for an alarming number of workers.

• In call centers, workers can’t stand while on the clock without a doctor’s note.

• In retail, workers can’t sit while on the floor and are not provided workstations where they can lean for support.

• If a worker has a safety concern with working conditions, he/she must rely on the manager to fix the problem. Managerial discretion results in many problems not being addressed.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOMSafety protection at the workplace is regulated by law; ver.di gives input.• The Works Constitution Act gives works councils

several rights of consultation. Employer must notify works council about all changes—e.g., new off ices, new furniture, off ice temperature and lighting—and about the annual mandatory meeting on workplace safety.

• For handicapped workers, there are regulations for setting up special workplaces.

• The law mandates regular inspections of workplaces (e.g., regarding computer monitors) and numerous other protections.

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1

2 3

Day of German Unity Rosh Hashanah

4 5 6 7 8

9 10

Columbus Day

11 12

Yom Kippur

13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24

31

25 26 27 28 29

OCTOBER 2016

HalloweenReformation Day

30Diwali

Daylight Saving Time Ends

T-MOBILE No works councils in the U.S., and labor law is weak.• Workers get separated through

scheduling as soon as managers see they are “talking union.”

• Unity hard to achieve given high turnover in stores.

• No eff ective way to address issues or grievances.

• Company’s “open-door policy” is based on favoritism.

• Human Resources protects management, not front-line workers.

• Commission structure prevents unity; workers compete against each other.

• No union contract; raises are given based on employee “performance,” which is often subjective.

UNITY at the WORKPLACE

DEUTSCHE TELEKOMAt Deutsche Telekom, works councils, stewards and workplace committees work together to represent workers’ interests.• Problems are discussed and

solutions negotiated with employer.• Bargaining demands are discussed

democratically and, if necessary, workers strike.

• Workers come together periodically in all-worker meetings during which works councils report on activities. By law, management has to attend and workers can report its bad behavior.

• Works councils and the Works Constitution Act protect workers against retaliation.

• Turnover is low.• Sales goals are all-team goals.• These elements facilitate unity in

the workplace!

ALB

UQ

UER

QU

E RETA

IL & TSG

EAST

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1

All Saints’ Day

2 3 4 5

6

Daylight Saving Time Ends

7 8 9 10 11

Veterans Day St. Martin’s Day

12

13

National Day of Mourning

14 15 16 17 18 19

20

Sunday of the Dead

21 22 23 24

Thanksgiving

25 26

27 28 29 30

NOVEMBER 2016

First Sunday Advent

T-MOBILE• Company creates a culture of fear.• Managers hold anti-union meetings to

discourage workers from organizing.• Managers denigrate union during new

employee orientations.• Corporate policies prevent workers from

talking to each other.• Yet, TU activists have stood strong,

reaching out to co-workers during break times or after work.

• Active and public TU members have forced company to make positive changes.

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM• German unions have legal access to any

workplace at which they have at least one member.

• This legal requirement ensures unions can introduce themselves to workers and win new members.

• In one-on-one conversations, union stewards and works councilors explain the advantages of membership and the security that a union provides.

ORGANIZING

ALB

UQ

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QU

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LL CEN

TER &

BAVA

RIA

SUNDAY MONDAY T UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT URDAY

1 2 3

4 5 6

Saint Nicholas Day

7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21

Winter Begins

22 23 24

Christmas Eve

25

Christmas DayHanukkah Begins

26

Boxing Day

27 28 29 30 31

New Year’s Eve

DECEMBER 2016

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