Today is Wednesday, August 20, 2008 President
Cheryl Ahern speaking.
Now that we have a tentative agreement between CWA and Verizon,
I will be holding contract ratification vote meetings. Your
contract by far is the most important thing. Be sure to attend
the meetings. I will be going over very important information on
changes and enhancements on the healthcare.
Andover- Thursday 8/21/08 4-10 Lawrence Elks
Marlboro- Friday 8/22/08 4-8 VCCD cafeteria
Taunton- Monday 8/25/08 4-10 Holiday Inn
Springfield- Wednesday 8/27/08 4-8 IBEW local 7
On Behalf of the regional Bargaining Team, I
would like to thank the Local Presidents and their E Boards for
getting their members mobilized and showing this committee their
support
Here are two documents for you to share with your bargaining
committees and local presidents. We have an agreement in
principle with Verizon; the committees are continuing the
document review of all contract language now. The news release
will be sent to the media about 30 minutes after locals are
notified. The bullet points spotlight specific
improvements/changes in the tentative agreement. Please forward
right away to your local presidents.
Please print and share these at your work locations
Tape
updated 08-10-2008
Tape update Sunday 5pm
President Cheryl Ahern
It's official! The
Regional and National bargaining teams voted unanimously in
favor to a tentative 3 year contract settlement.
After months of mobilizing and bargaining and 10 straight
exhausting weeks of intense negotiations, our united
bargaining committees have reached an agreement in principle
with management pending document review.
Throughout this process, we focused on ensuring our place in
the work of the future. Our critical goals also included
health care for active and retired workers, retirement
security and a fair wage increase. The involvement and
mobilization of tens of thousands of our members made a huge
difference in these negotiations. All of us together showed
our strength, our commitment, our determination to get the
best possible agreement.
We're proud to have represented the 65,000 union members at
Verizon in these negotiations on behalf of Chris Shelton,
Ron Collins, Ed Mooney, George Welker, Steve Holland Sandy
Kmetyck, John Miller, Miles Calvey.
Hard work from both the Regional and National paid off, here
is a summary of the tentative agreement:
Wages:
eff. 8/3/2008 3.25%
8/2/2009 3.50%
8/1/2010 3.75
%
COLA:
eff. 8/1/2010 one half the increase in the CPI-W in excess
of 3.75% between May 09 and May 10
Corporate Profit Sharing: $700 minimum paid in March of each
year
Pension Band Increases:
eff. 10/1/08 3.25%
10/1/09 3.50%
10/1/10 3.75%
Pension Lump Sum Cash-out
pension distribution options remain in contract with no
change and available at any time for the length of the
contract
Verizon Business jobs
and much more, details to follow
From CWA National
Verizon Settlement Provides
New Union Jobs, Protects Health Care for Active and Retired
Workers, Boosts Wages, Pensions for 65,000
August 10, 2008
Washington, D.C. -- A new tentative three-year contract
settlement with Verizon achieves union employees' major goals of
promoting union jobs and expanding bargaining rights, providing
good health care for both active and retired workers, and
increasing wages and pensions for 65,000 workers from Virginia
to Maine, the Communications Workers of America and
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers reported.
In a breakthrough agreement, Verizon will extend union
recognition to 600 former MCI technicians at Verizon Business
who have been seeking representation for nearly two years. These
workers, who perform the same jobs as the union workforce, have
received strong support from CWA and IBEW members in a campaign
to "tear down the wall" between union and non-union sectors at
Verizon. The agreement also includes new opportunities for union
workers to provide customer support and service at Verizon
Business.
The tentative settlement also eliminates subcontracting of work
in a number of job areas, converts many temporary jobs to
permanent and brings additional jobs associated with Verizon's
cutting edge FiOS technology into the union bargaining units.
Overall, the settlement should create 2,500 new union jobs.
Verizon and the unions have agreed to meet regularly during the
course of the new agreement to review technological and business
developments affecting employment, which will allow the company
to stay current with business opportunities while also insuring
that the unions are able to continue to represent employees as
the business environment changes.
The issue of health costs and benefits was a major focus of the
talks, as it has been in contract negotiations in virtually
every industry. The settlement preserves fully-paid health care
premiums for all active and retired employees. Future hires will
have a defined contribution formula for retirement health care
with the amount of Verizon's contributions subject to
negotiation in each subsequent contract.
In addition, Verizon agreed to work with the unions in a joint
effort to achieve meaningful health care reform. The company
will provide funding of $2 million per year to the project.
The settlement calls for wage increases totaling 10.87 percent
compounded over the three-year contract term. COLA (cost of
living adjustment) language remains in the contract.
Pension bands also will be increased by 10.87 percent compounded
over the term of the agreement.
The settlement also provides for a streamlined grievance dispute
resolution system which will speed up a process that has been
taking as long as three years to complete.
"This is a breakthrough agreement in many ways," said CWA
President Larry Cohen. "It creates new union jobs including
major growth areas like FiOS, it takes a big step forward on
health care and it brings hundreds of Verizon Business employees
the union rights they deserve. We applaud management for
agreeing to keep the best health coverage in America and for
their commitment to work with us for real health care reform.
This settlement provides a framework for growth at Verizon and a
good standard of living with careers for our members."
"This agreement is a tribute to the solidarity and activism of
IBEW and CWA members working at Verizon," said IBEW President Ed
Hill. "Our members mobilized strong and negotiated hard for a
good contract that will benefit workers and their families now
and in the future. We congratulate union and company negotiators
for finding solid common ground upon which we can build a better
Verizon. With this agreement we have met our goals to protect
the retirees who helped build this company and have negotiated
important provisions that will ensure future jobs for union
members."
CWA represents 50,000 workers at Verizon and IBEW represents
another 15,000 in the northeast.
NATIONAL
Verizon Bargaining Update, 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 10
August 10, 2008
Negotiations are continuing and we've
made significant progress toward our goal of a settlement
that meets our members' critical goals and issues. We will
update you throughout the course of the day and still have
some remaining issues to work through.
From Cheryl 08/10/2008 4:53pm
Its official, the CWA national and
regional teams just voted unanimously to agree that we
have an agreement in principal. We will be sending out a
statement shortly..
Check back with this site later today for updated info.
NATIONAL
Verizon Bargaining Update, 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 10
August 10, 2008
Negotiations are continuing and we've
made significant progress toward our goal of a settlement
that meets our members' critical goals and issues. We will
update you throughout the course of the day and still have
some remaining issues to work through.
Just a reminder.... your source for accurate bargaining
information is the local tape and this website, whenever updated
info is available the local will make it known to the membership
as long as it does not interfere with our progress in
bargaining.
Verizon Bargaining Update, 4:30 pm
Saturday, Aug. 9
August 9, 2008
The unions and the company continue marathon
bargaining in an attempt to bring the contract in before the
bargaining deadline of 12:01 am, Monday, Aug. 11.
While there still are important issues on the
table, setting the deadline has moved the pace into turbo
drive. Verizon fully understands the power that our union
members have poised to exercise if progress slows or stops.
We are very proud of the unity and commitment
of our members' mobilization which has driven this round of
bargaining. Our years of developing mobilization strategies
have added a powerful tool to our arsenal, giving us effective
alternatives to a strike.
With only hours until the deadline, we must
continue this high level of mobilization. It will be a
crowning achievement to bring in a good contract without a
single member having lost one days' pay. Every member who
participated in this effort will have a reason to be proud.
It remains critical that we are prepared to
launch a strike on very short notice. It is still our ultimate
weapon and the deadline is very real.
CWA Regional Bargaining Report
Friday, Aug. 8, 2008 10:30 AM
New Deadline Set
There is a new Deadline set
for Sunday
Midnight -
that's Monday morning at
12:01 AM -
let's send a loud message to the company that we are ready.
There has been progress made
at the table since Saturday's agreement to "STOP the Clock"
but talks on outsourcing, subcontracting, and union
recognition issues remain unresolved. The company must get the
message that "every Job is a Union job" means Verizon work
should be done by our members.
Today, thousands of our
members will hold "Ready to Walk" pickets and rallies at
locations across
New York, New England and
New Jersey as
well as locations in District 2 and District 13.
Washington, D.C -- The CWA/IBEW Unified
Bargaining Committees have set a bargaining deadline for
completing contract negotiations with Verizon. That deadline
is Monday, Aug. 11, 12:01 am. At that time, the existing
contract that was extended last weekend will expire. Strike
action then becomes possible if a fair settlement is not
reached.
The strike date will be set by the two union presidents in
consultation with the bargaining committees.
The current contract, which covers 65,000 members of the
Communications Workers of America and the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was slated to
expire at midnight on Saturday, August 3rd. Late this past
Saturday night, the unions announced that in light of
progress that had been made in bargaining, they had agreed
to "stop the clock" on the expiration of the current
contract and postpone strike action. Bargainers had reported
significant progress at the bargaining table between the two
sides.
Negotiations have continued since then, and are continuing
at this time, but progress has been slow. Among the critical
issues: permanent, quality jobs at Verizon and other job
issues, health care and retirement security, a fair wage
settlement and others.
A Deadline for the Verizon Contract has been
established
SUNDAY MID-NIGHT
That's SUNDAY into MONDAY morning 12:01 am
August 11, 2008.
We should have a press release
within the hour
Photo by Kim
Gately
CWA Regional Bargaining Report
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008 5:00 PM
Negotiations between the CWA/IBEW unified Bargaining
Committees and Verizon are continuing around the clock in
Washington DC and Rye, NY. The clock remains stopped at
11:59 pm, Aug. 2
Progress is being made, but the issues yet to be resolved
are among our most important.
The speed at which Verizon is shifting from copper to fiber
technology makes it clear that we must negotiate a contract
that secures new work and the jobs of the future. The
company does understand that without progress on these
issues at the bargaining table, we have no choice but to
move to the street.
The Regional Bargaining Committee met with the Local
Presidents in Rye, NY to bring them up to date on the status
of negotiations.
It is critical at this phase that we maintain the highest
level of mobilization. We must engage in actions that
continue to apply pressure on Verizon to move on our issues.
There is no question that the efforts of our members are
being seen and felt by the company. We are receiving a
steady stream of reports from the locals and even some from
the company of the persistent and innovative ways our
members are engaging in workplace mobilization.
If you have been active in mobilization efforts, the
bargaining committee is truly appreciative and thanks you.
If you have not yet participated, we urge you to join with
the tens of thousands of your brothers and sisters at
worksite rallies and other actions.
It’s important that we all take this opportunity to feel the
pride and satisfaction of standing up and standing together
for ourselves, our jobs and our families. It is our union
that provides this opportunity. Our unity will bring a
successful contract. Today, do just one thing to help us
make this happen!
WEAR RED,
PARTICIPATE IN MOBILIZATION AND REMEMBER, IN UNITY THERE IS
STRENGTH.
Tape
updated 08-06-2008
Bargaining Report
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 President Cheryl Ahern speaking
Yesterday, the parties continued marathon bargaining throughout
the day, ending at 11 p.m. last night. Today, negotiations have
resumed.
Progress is being made. Is it slow.
We have presented Verizon with a unified and united front and
strong position on all our critical issues. Now, we’re working
through some of the most difficult issues in the areas of jobs
and employment security for members at our company. Our strength
in bargaining has been reinforced by the highly visible - and
widely reported to the company - mobilization that continues.
Verizon hasn’t come around yet, but we’re pressing the company
on all our critical issues, especially when it comes to jobs.
This bargaining involves serious issues - health care,
retirement security, and especially jobs. These negotiations are
all about ensuring that our members will be full participants in
the future of this company and in this industry, not walled off
and excluded from the jobs and future that we have made
possible.
There are more than 60 people involved in the bargaining process
from our two unions. In addition to the elected bargaining
committees, there are experts on health care, pensions,
economics, communications and legal issues. Needless to say, the
company has many, many more people on its side.
Verizon’s rapid shift from copper to fiber - and beyond in the
future - makes it clear that we must negotiate a contract that
secures the jobs of the future and opportunities for our
members, addresses subcontracting, expands bargaining rights for
workers and provides for employment security.
We will not be bypassed by the company that we built and helped
make so successful. If our efforts to secure a fair agreement
that provides for jobs today and for the future are not fully
successful at the bargaining table now, we will secure it on the
picket line when necessary. There’s no doubt about that. Our
goal is to win on these issues and we will.
Tell Verizon that you are happy that they are building the
network but we want to be part of it.
We are the network!
Stand strong and stand united
Older tape updates can be viewed by clicking "The Tape" link on the left
Verizon Bargaining Update, 7:30 pm, Wed., Aug.
6
August 6, 2008
Report from the CWA-IBEW Bargaining Committees
Negotiations continued throughout the day and will continue into
the evening. We've made some progress but not enough.
As we said earlier, we will do whatever it takes to secure our
contract, one way or another. That means we'll get it done at
the bargaining table or on the picket line.
We're stepping up our mobilization because we know it makes a
real difference. Plans are in the works for worksite rallies on
Friday to focus more attention on our fight for jobs and a fair
contract. So stick with the mobe plan, check with your local
about actions and stay strong and ready.
If progress stops, we'll all stop.
Report from Bargaining Committee in
Washington, DC
CWA/IBEW Verizon Bargaining Report
August 4, 2008, 9:00 PM
Attached is a flyer explaining the status of bargaining, the
issues we continue
to fight over, and a brief explanation of why we've decided to
stay on the
job, rather than strike immediately.
PLEASE REPRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE IN WORK LOCATIONS AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
The official word from the
National is that we made a lot of progress today and there is
a good package on the table. We don't want to walk away so
there is a mutual agreement to "stop the clock." What that
means is that we still continue to work under our existing
contract. It is different from 2003 when we worked
without a contract. Working without a contract makes our
members vulnerable to potential discipline while stopping the
clock provides us with all the protections we currently have.
We are not out of the woods
yet. We need to continue with our informational picketing
and wearing red. If talks unravel a strike could still be
called but we are all very hopeful that won't happen.
Thanks to everyone for all their
hard work - we will have another mobilization call tomorrow
afternoon and I will send another note.
Saturday AUG 2nd,
11:55PM
FROM THE BARGAINING
COMMITTEE
The unified CWA-IBEW bargaining committees
continue to negotiate economic, employment, security and
retirement security issues. Progress continues but issues
remain, particularly concerning employment security and union
jobs and recognition. We must remain unified and disciplined,
working on the job and working for a just contract. Members
are to report for work as scheduled as we continue to bargain
Reminder: All members should plan ahead
and remove all personal items from their desks before heading
home for the weekend. Leave
NOTHING behind!
Also be sure you have seen your Steward for
any info needed (strike assignment etc...)
CWA/IBEW
Verizon Early Bargaining Update #33
July 30, 2008
The Unions and the Company did not meet in formal session today
as the Unions await the Company's response to the proposals
placed on the table yesterday. The Unions spent the day working
on developing proposals while discussions continue at the
executive level. Efforts are intense as the Unions seek a
breakthrough to an agreement before contract deadline.
We are pleased at the report of readiness from our Locals in the
event an agreement is not reached. We are also aware that the
Company is increasing security of buildings and outside plants
with additional guards and security cameras.
Our members understand the importance of these negotiation s so
there is no point repeating them at this stage. We now need
total focus on our efforts to win a successful contract. We have
always said that great contracts are not won at the table; they
are won by our members and what they are willing to do. We are
confident that our members are ready and willing to do anything
necessary to get a fair contract. We will not agree to a
contract that does not protect our work, our benefits, our
retirement security and our standard of living.
Mobilization continues throughout the entire Verizon North/South
footprint with thousands of members participating in various
activities every day. Stay in touch with your Local coordinators
for the latest information on mobilization activities. Picket
signs will be arriving at the Locals by Thursday. It is time to
take the mobilization activities to next level. We are fighting
for our future - together.
3 Days and Counting
Rally
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 185
Franklin Street in Boston beginning at 6:00 PM
The "Local
Team" page has been updated with the most recent Stewards list
The V.P.,
District 2 And V.P., District 10 have been updated as well
Mobilization June 5, 2008
Hi everybody,
Another Thursday. More and more red every week. CWA & IBEW
working together. Took advantage of today to get the EFCA
petitions and health care cards signed. Taunton union members
are on board. They are getting involved. I have a very good
feeling about the members in this office. I'm happy to be a part
of it.
Joe Cody
Dear Member,
As the Democratic primary winds to a close, we thought it
would be a good time to start looking at John McCain’s record
as it stacks up against our key issues:
Collective bargaining and the Employee Free Choice Act
Health care reform that reduces employers’ demands for
concessions
Retirement security that protects our pensions
Fair trade
I'm interested in hearing what CWA members think about John
McCain. What are the most common things you hear about John
McCain from your co-workers and friends? Please send in your
comments:
We’ve asked our folks to look into the McCain record, and I’ve
been disappointed that this patriot has consistently voted
against our key issues.
On collective bargaining, John McCain voted for a National
Right-to-Work for Less law that would attempt to eliminate
unions altogether. He voted against the Employee Free Choice
Act and has said unions have "serious excesses."
On health care, John McCain wants to tax union members $3,000
for our negotiated benefits. He may say he supports tax cuts,
but we’re paying more for our health care because of them –
and there is no relief in sight at the bargaining table.
On retirement security, John McCain voted to privatize Social
Security and trust Wall Street with our retirement. He voted
to raise the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 67. He
voted against pension protections and against allowing the
government to negotiate for lower prescription drugs for
Medicare.
And on fair trade, McCain says he supports free trade and most
favored nation status to China. That has resulted in nearly 2
million lost jobs – mostly from manufacturing. He opposes
tougher sanctions and inspections to keep us safe from toxic
toys and food made in China. And he supports Bush’s economic
policies that have us borrowing billions from China.
John McCain may appear to be a good guy, but his voting
record is out of touch with working Americans.
Let me know what you think and what you’ve been hearing about
John McCain:
This is a big year for us. We’re bargaining for 55,000 workers
at Verizon and 20,000 workers at Qwest, along with the
hundreds of other contracts across the country.
Our ability to bargain good contracts is influenced by the
political climate and growth in the union movement. That’s why
we’ll be spending the upcoming weeks and months talking about
John McCain, and providing new opportunities for members like
you to get involved and help in the elections this fall.
In Unity,
Jeff Rechenbach
Executive Vice President
http://www.unionvoice.org
Useful TN
Members can call telephone #
800-995-8772 to see what tests they have passed or failed.
VzB Techs Join CWA Info Picket
Line @ Verizon
This is John Lindner, a VzB tech speaking with VZ members in
Manhattan this morning about the campaign to form a union of
VzB techs. John was joined by 4 other VzB techs, all of whom
pledged not to cross our picket lines. Another VzB tech joined
the 1103 Informational picketing in Westchester with the same
message of solidarity.
Tim Dubnau
CWA District One
Union
members protest at Verizon's annual meeting
(IBEW-CWA
Press Release)
Communications Workers of America
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Press Release
For immediate release: May 1, 2008
For more info contact: Rand Wilson (617) 803-0799
At the 2008 shareholder meeting Union members protest Verizon's
divisive approach to managing employees .
Lincoln,
Neb. Dozens of union members carried thousands of proxy votes
into Verizons annual shareholder meeting today with a message to
"Separate the Verizon Chair and CEO jobs" and of "No Confidence
in the Verizon Board of Directors." Prior to the meeting, union
members and community supporters leafleted shareholders and top
executives with a message of concern about the divisive
direction that CEO Ivan Seidenberg is taking the company.
Verizon's top executives have created an artificial wall
separating its wireless and large business operations from
wireline, which includes FiOS, too often resulting in
dissatisfied or confused customers. Verizon workers are
especially concerned about how management is aggressively
interfering in the freedom of workers in the Verizon Wireless
and Verizon Business segments to unite in the Communications
Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers. "Verizon management has tried to isolate us
from the company's unionized workforce to keep us from having a
voice on the job," said Dave Rogol, a technician with Verizon
Business who spoke at the meeting. "Management has made
blatantly false statements to us in their so-called union
awareness materials. All we are asking is that the company drop
the intimidation and honor a neutrality and union recognition
procedure that other Verizon employees have benefited from."
"These divisions aren't good for shareholders or customers,"
said Dave Reardon, a 34-year telephone worker and union official
at IBEW Local 2222 in Boston, who gave a lengthy overview of
employees' concerns at the meeting. "Our company's strongest
performance will come from bundling wireless with voice, data,
and video from FiOS for all customers -- large and small." Union
members also supported a shareholder proposal by the Association
of BellTel Retirees to improve corporate governance at Verizon.
"Ivan Seidenberg is now both Chairman and CEO. How can he be
his own boss?" asked Craig Fields, a Central Office tech and
member from IBEW Local 2321. "We believe that an independent
Board Chair is particularly appropriate at Verizon. For too many
years the compensation of Verizon's senior executives has been
disconnected from returns to shareholders. The chairman should
be an independent director." During the question and answer
period, Seidenberg fielded questions from many worker
shareholders. Lee Gitschier, a splice service tech from Lowell,
Massachusetts was concerned about the rising cost of health
insurance. "Once again it's a contract year, and once again
health care may prove to be one of the most contentious issues
at the bargaining table," said Gitschier. "Shifting more of the
burden from employers to workers solves nothing. It won't
contain or control costs and prices will continue to go sky
high. Couldn't we the unions and the company -- work together
for a political solution to the problem that would take health
care off the bargaining table? Will you join with us to work
with Congress and the next president for meaningful reforms so
that this won't be a divisive bargaining issue any more?" The
leaflet for shareholders and copies of statements by Rogol,
Reardon, Fields, Gitschier and representatives of the
Association of BellTel Retirees are available from Rand Wilson
at
rand@mindspring.com Photos from the event may be obtained
at: http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/Verizon2008AnnualMeetingOfShareholders
Rand Wilson, Communications CoordinatorCenter for Strategic
Research, AFL-CIO Organizing Dept.c/o IBEW Local 2222, 1137
Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124w) (617) 929-6000, f)
(617) 929-6099, c) (617) 803-0799 rwilson@aflcio.org or
rand@mindspring.com
Send a message of solidarity and militancy: wear RED on
Thursdays!
The preliminary
tally of shareholders votes were as follows:
Election of Directors: over 90%
Proposal #3 (Stock options)
8.6 % yes
Proposal #4 (Gender)
17 % yes
Proposal #5 (Separation of Chair and CEO)
20.4 yes
Thanks to everyone at the IBEW, CWA, and AFL-CIO who helped make
this a very proud day for the labor movement at Verizon!
Rand Wilson,
Communications Coordinator
Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO Organizing Dept.
c/o IBEW Local 2222, 1137 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA
02124
w) (617) 929-6000, f) (617) 929-6099, c) (617) 803-0799
rwilson@aflcio.org or
rand@mindspring.com
Welcome Fairpoint members!
Our Fairpoint Page has been updated with:
Fairpoint contract extension
Fairpoint tentative ratification ballot results April 4, 2008
Pension plan Information
Did you know that AT&T Wireless is the ONLY union wireless company...
