AT&T Mobility workers across the country voted to ratify a new contract covering health care and other benefits for 42,000 workers.

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor said, “Our main goal was to put health care benefits bargaining back in the regional bargaining agreement process and to make health care affordable for all Mobility workers. This new contract reduces healthcare costs and will improve the standard of living for our members.”

There are four separately negotiated Mobility contracts that now cover compensation and working conditions. An earlier agreement was voted down by the members last month, and continued negotiations resulted in the proposal that went to the membership for a ratification vote.

Among the highlights of the new agreement:

• Reduced premium costs for 20,000 employees hired after 2014.
• Employees with dependent children and no covered spouse will pay lower rates under a new 4-tier contribution structure.
• Employees in Puerto Rico will be able to take advantage of popular HMO plans with much lower contribution rates.
• A new “Option 2” plan will be introduced with lower premium costs.