Verizon Regional Bargaining Report # 47

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Bargaining Committee met this week in Philadelphia. The committee reviewed Verizon’s modified proposals on Independent Medical Examination, Work at Home, Accident Disability, Evaluative Observations, and Electronic Recording of Calls, while waiting for Verizon to respond to information on medical costs requested nearly two weeks ago. On Wednesday, December 2nd the Company provided its response by email. Unfortunately, the company's response to our request is incomplete and fails to address the issue the Union believes would demonstrate a critical piece on the health care cost sharing regarding Medicare Advantage. The Company response actually states “it is not possible to accurately determine the cost sharing percentage for Medicare Retirees.” How the Company can think we could reach agreement without this vital economic information is unfathomable. The Committee continues to explore other health care proposals.

The NY/New England and Mid Atlantic Regional CWA/IBEW bargaining teams also met this week in Philadelphia. It is clear now that due to the lack of meaningful movement on the company's part we are faced with taking our mobilization efforts in a "different direction". Locals will begin to ratchet up preparations to change Verizon's retrogressive agenda. CWA President Chris Shelton along with District Vice Presidents Ed Mooney and Dennis Trainor are currently working to arrange a meeting with Verizon's CEO Lowell McAdam in an attempt to clear the path towards a fair and equitable contract.

Every CWA member should now be completely engaged in the process. The bargaining committee has hammered the company on every issue and the Company has not made any significant movement nor have they addressed our members concerns since day 1 during this round of bargaining. It is clear that this fight won't be won at the bargaining table. The clock is winding down!!