Verizon Regional Bargaining Report # 42

The Regional Bargaining Committee met with the company today and responded to the Company's modified proposal on the Tuition Assistance Program. The Union reiterated that significant changes were made in the last round of bargaining to cut costs in Tuition and the potential savings from eliminating or restricting access to certain fields of study, didn't make sense. In rejecting the company's proposal, the Union expressed concerns over members being able to maintain their personal development and their ability to prepare for the future. The company responded by asking if the Company should pay for courses on making "dog garments". We honestly can’t make this up. Instead of making meaningful proposals on healthcare, contracting, retiree issues and the forcing members to work ridiculous hours and tours and many other REAL issues this company bargaining team wants to talk about eliminating dog garment manufacturing from the Tuition Assistance Program.

There were also discussions over an existing proposal regarding funding for the ACFC and TABEC committees. The Union shared its objection to language in the proposal that would have the Union forfeit rights provided it under the law.

Currently, no meetings are scheduled for the remainder of this week. The Union is scheduled to meet locally with the Potomac committee next week. The Union would love to meet with the Company at the Regional table and make some progress towards getting a contract. When we asked the company if they had proposals that would make a meeting productive the company responded with “Maybe.” Maybe? We have been in bargaining for over four months and the only response the company can give at this point is “maybe”.

Your committee has made repeated attempts to get the company to remove non critical issues from the table and focus on the issues that will get us to an agreement. Verizon has refused and this lack of sincere effort should make every member angry.

The Regional Bargaining Committee remains on call to meet subject to the call of the Chair. We stand ready to meet with this Company anytime to move these negotiations forward and encourage the Company to stop the frivolous conversation on things like dog garments. As members, maybe you should ask your local management teams what they think about dog garments and why their committee is wasting this time.

Stay mobilized and unified because it’s our turn and our day is coming…