Verizon Potomac Local Bargaining Report # 4

The Potomac Local Bargaining Committee met with the Company late last week and again today. On Thursday, the Union passed a series of proposals regarding Differentials, Promotional Wage Adjustments, Transfer & Reassignment, Work Schedules, Seniority, Layoffs and other issues to improve and reduce ambiguity in contractual language. Today the Union passed an information request as well as proposals regarding Overtime, Holidays, and Seniority.

The Company has decided in the last few years to come up with alternative interpretations of the language that has been in our contract for decades. As we have filed numerous grievances on various issues challenging the historical interpretations it is important to change the language when we can. Our proposals are designed to make this happen. As you can imagine the company has a different agenda.

It has been disheartening to see the most important issues to our members mean little to nothing to the management of this company. When we demand our members be treated humanely and have the opportunity to have a life outside of Verizon, the company representatives have no response or acknowledgement of how shameful the work rules and forced overtime are at Verizon.

The Bargaining team is committed to making a positive change in these negotiations. We want to thank everyone for the work that you are doing in the field.

Keep up the mobilization and remind this company that we are not mindless automatons. We are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. We only want the chance to work an honest day for an honest wage and the respect we deserve as the people who make this company work.