Verizon Bargaining 2011: Report # 53

Mid-Atlantic Regional Bargaining Report #53 *****CORRECTED COPY*******

The Mid-Atlantic Bargaining Team met with the Company over the last week in sub-committees on Jobs and Absence. Progress is slow as we go through these informal discussions attempting to find a framework for reaching an agreement. This round of bargaining is a war of attrition with the Company counting on our members losing sight of our goal. We cannot allow this to happen. We must mobilize our members and keep the focus on this greedy corporation. Locals should continue to collect the DVD’s the company sent to our members earlier this month and forward them to your area office.

With the holidays approaching we need now more than ever to be at the Verizon Wireless stores explaining to the public how the Verizon Corporate Executives are a part of the 1% and they are attacking their workers who represent the 99%. We are trying to hold onto the middle class jobs they are so intent on destroying. The only way we are going to see movement at the bargaining table is if we hurt them in the pocketbook.

We can have a new contract tomorrow if we are willing to accept the many givebacks Verizon still has on the table. Including items like:

Sales Commission Plan for Consultants

Significantly increase deductibles and co-pays for the Health Care Plans

Implement premium sharing for the Health Care Plans

Significantly increase co-pays in our prescription drug benefit plan

Major diminishments in our benefits including Incidental Absence, Short Term Disability and the Medically Restricted Plans

Eliminate the Pension Plan and the Pension Cash Out Option

Eliminate the Sickness Death Benefit

Eliminate the Job Security Protections

Increase the movement of work provision to 5%

Change the contractual relocation provision to any move more than 85 miles

Increase the forced Overtime limits

Reduce evening and night differential payments and eliminate Saturday differentials altogether

Eliminate Short Notice Excused Days and the 18% vacation provision

Allow Electronic Recording of Calls

We don’t believe our members should settle for these givebacks when we are dealing with a strong profitable company. Bargaining will continue on Monday, November 28th in Rye, NY.

Stay Strong. Stay United. Continue your Local mobilization activities to let Vz. Know we will not settle for anything less than a fair contract.

At the same time, our brothers and sisters at Verizon Wireless in New York are also fighting for a fair contract. They are fighting to improve their contract and to reverse three years of deteriorating healthcare benefits. Give them a hand and help leaflet at a Verizon Wireless store. Contact your local and find out when and where you can leaflet at a Verizon Wireless store.