Verizon Potomac Local Bargaining Report # 6

The Potomac Local Bargaining Committee met with the company yesterday evening and again this afternoon. The Union rejected several company proposals on Forced Transfers, Overtime, Technological Change, Temporary Assignments, Permanent Transfers, Contracting Fiber Facilities and an Electronic Version of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition, we passed a series of data requests dealing with contracting in the Central Office Technician, Cable Splicing Technician, Services Technician and Engineering Assistant job titles. We also passed a data request to clarify work performed in the HSI-DSL workgroup, Home Garaging provisions and Termination Allowances.

The Union also passed proposals over improving Business Attire allowances and introduced a proposal that would allow for an annual boot allowance for all employees required to wear proper foot protection.

The company rejected 16 out of 19 of our initial proposals completely and abstained on 3 others for additional consideration. The rejected proposals were passed to advance working conditions and provide a better quality of life for our members. The company rejected issues regarding Occupational Safety & Health, Special City Allowances, Temporary Assignments, Overtime & Sunday Practices, Inclement Weather, Emergency Call-Outs, Travel Allowances, Travel Time and Expense Payments, Reimbursement of Incidental Expenses, Vacations, Payments During First Seven Days of Sickness Absence, Excused Time, Differentials, Promotional Wage Adjustments, Transfer & Reassignment, Work Schedules & Changes in Scheduled Work Time, Seniority and Responsible Union Company Relationship citing they are not interested in expanding their costs, expanding their "burdensome administrative obligations" and expressing a need for more flexibility to service customers.

The Potomac Bargaining Committee is committed to addressing every contract provision Verizon continues to exploit on a daily basis. Your mobilization efforts will help us deliver a fair and equitable agreement that eliminates the harassing and bullying tactics used today. July 25th will be our rallying point in New York City to send Verizon a message that we are ready for this fight. See you there!!