Verizon Potomac Local Bargaining Report # 1

Local Potomac Bargaining opened today to discuss issues related to the Potomac contract. Proposals were presented by both the Union and the Company.

The Union presented proposals on improvements to Article 1, Recognition, Article 6A, Access to Employee Personnel Files, Article 10, Responsible Union-Company Relationship, Article 10A, Occupational Safety and Health, Article18, Special City Allowance and Article 22, Temporary Assignments.

The Company proposed changes to Article 9, Absence for Union Business, Article 12, Grievances and Grievance Meeting Procedure, Article 37, Termination Allowance, Exhibit I, Business Attire MOU and the VCS Scope Agreement. The Company’s Local proposals seem to be cut from the same template as its Regional proposals. They are nothing more than attacks on the limited protections our members currently work under.

Over the past few years we have seen this company manipulate the intent of our contractual language regarding many issues. Your Potomac bargaining committee is committed to fight for the changes we need in our contract to ensure that there is a clear understanding going forward. We are committed to fight against the Company’s push for workforce flexibility that equates to more restrictions on our members.

The Local committees are scheduled to meet again tomorrow.