Verizon Regional Bargaining Report # 11

The CWA Mid Atlantic Regional Bargaining Team met with the company today. The Union began the session by presenting several new proposals dealing with issues involving wages, retirement security and job security.

The company presented an overview of its retirement proposal. The explanation focused on cost savings for the company and freezing the hard earned benefits of our brothers and sisters. Their proposal undermines a core component of the foundation of labor, a secure retirement.

By now, we should all have gotten another “Team” note from Mr. Reed of Verizon on Health Care. Whoever writes for Mr. Reed, should read the health care information supplied by the company at CWA’s request. If they had, they would have learned that:

Since 2012 the average annual claims cost of our healthcare plans have remained flat or declined appreciably.

Examples:

MEP for an active employee, - down 17.5%

MCN for an active employee and their family – down 15.2%

But that’s not all!!

Pre-Medicare retiree MCN, is down 14.4%

Pre-Medicare Retiree and Spouse MCN is down 10.1%

Medicare Retiree and Spouse MCN is down 5.9%

And these reductions in Verizon paid claims expenses DO NOT include our premium sharing. If Mr. Reed wants to talk Health Care, he’s welcome to join us at the bargaining table.

This Bargaining committee remains committed to maintaining the standards won by CWA through decades of hard fought victories. Don't let company rhetoric sidetrack your mobilization efforts in the field. Make sure you read between the lines whenever the company issues a manifesto of doublespeak. They truly don't ever have your best interest at heart!!

THE BALLS ARE NOW IN THE COMPANY’S COURT!

IT’S OUR TURN!!