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Verizon Northeast (former NYNEX)
July 2, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met with the Company this today in Rye, New York. Discussions centered on the health care and prescription drug proposals. The Committees will work on these issues separately tomorrow and are scheduled to meet together again on Monday, July 7, 2008.
July 1, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met with the Company this afternoon in Rye, New York. The Unions questioned the Company on their counterproposal they presented yesterday. Issues raised included health care and prescription drug benefits. No progress was made. The parties are scheduled to resume talks tomorrow morning.
June 30, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met with the Company this afternoon in Rye, New York. The Company presented their response to the Unions June 16th comprehensive proposal. The Company proposal was completely unacceptable to the Unions. The Committees recessed and are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.
June 16, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee and the New England IBEW team resumed negotiations with Verizon today in Rye, New York. The two Unions presented the Company with a comprehensive proposal.
At the start of the session today, CWA Chief Negotiator Dennis Trainor strongly urged Verizon to join with CWA, other National Unions and Corporations to work for the enactment of a national health care program. This would save Verizon billions of dollars and remove the issue from the bargaining table in the future. Quoting CWA President Larry Cohen, Trainor told the Verizon representative to "get off our backs and get on our side" in this matter.
In the area of Medical and Prescription Drug benefits the Unions proposal recognizes the need for behavioral changes in the use of generic drugs and mail order prescriptions to ensure the present level of benefits. Other critical issues addressed today by the Unions included:
- Increase in wages, pensions and the Cost of Living formula
- Job Security to strengthen the bargaining unit
- Increase funding for the Dependent Care Reimbursement Fund
- Expanded Safety and Health programs and funding
- Insure that the same Health Benefits will apply to both active and retirees
- Eliminate sub-contracting
The Unions stressed the need for improvements in wages and job security. The Unions demanded that Verizon live up to their previous commitment that as the Company grows so does the Union. This ensures that the work of the future is performed by bargaining unit members.
Bargaining has recessed until June 30, 2008.
June 13, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met today in Rye, New York. The Unions reviewed information and continued to prepare a comprehensive counter proposal to Verizon’s proposal on Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits. Talks have recessed for the weekend and will resume on Monday morning, June 19. 2008.
June 12, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committees met with the IBEW New England bargaining committee. The two negotiating teams used most of the day reviewing information on Medical and Prescription Drug benefits provided by Verizon. The Union negotiators then began the process of crafting a comprehensive response for the Company. Bargaining is scheduled to resume tomorrow.
June 11, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee worked today preparing a comprehensive counter proposal to Verizon’s on medical and prescription drug benefits. The committees will meet again early tomorrow to continue this work before meeting with the Company.
June 10, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee spent time this morning working on a counter proposal which will be presented to the Company. Before the proposal can be completed the Unions need additional information that has been requested from the Company. The parties met this afternoon. The Unions requested clarification from the Company pertaining to Verizon’s health care and prescription drug proposals, as well as on other issues raised by the Unions in earlier bargaining sessions. The Company provided some but not all of the information. Negotiations are concluded for today and scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.
June 9, 2008
This morning the CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee and the New England IBEW bargaining team resumed negotiations with Verizon in Rye, New York. Today’s discussions centered exclusively on jobs. A Verizon Marketing representative made a presentation on their newly launched “Expert Care” program, which consists of various services a FiOS or DSL customer may purchase to assist them with the installation and maintenance of both software and hardware. These services are sold by CWA and IBEW members but the work performed either by phone or at the customer premise is done by vendors. The Unions asked numerous questions regarding these services which began operating in this area last week. The Unions made it very clear that this work is bargaining unit work that should be performed by Union members. Job security regarding this evolution of bargaining unit work is a top priority for your bargaining team. Negotiations have recessed for today and will resume tomorrow.
June 6, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee and the IBEW New England team resumed negotiations with Verizon today in Rye, New York.
The Unions requested that the Company bring a representative from Blue Cross and Blue Shield to discuss the Medical Expense Plan and how they coordinate benefits with Medicare. During today's session the Blue Cross and Blue Shield representatives gave a presentation and your bargaining committee had many questions. The representatives also provided examples on how they processed the claims The company needed to review some of the questions and will get back to the committee. Bargained has adjourned for the day and is scheduled to resume Monday June 9, 2008. On Monday, your bargaining committee will continue discussions concerning jobs and future work. Your committee has made it clear that the jobs of the future in Verizon belong in our bargaining unit and negotiations will focus on these issues on Monday.
June 5, 2008
The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee and the IBEW New England team resumed negotiations with Verizon today in Rye, New York.
Our bargaining team had previously questioned the Company on the details of their presentation on the Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits for New York and New England and there were a number of questions that were outstanding. The Company responded to most of those questions today. Their answers resulted in more questions which need to be answered. There are many questions concerning the prescription drug plan that need to be addressed. The Union caucused late in the day to review the new information that was provided. Bargained has adjourned for the day and is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning at 9 AM. |
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Verizon Mid-Atlantic (former Bell Atlantic)
July 3, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today and the Company provided data and answers to issues raised at the 7-1 session. The meeting recessed and the Union will be studying the data and preparing a response. The parties are scheduled to meet on Monday, July 7th.
With no agreement reached on any issue and the Company’s concessionary demands still on the table, it is imperative that our locals step up their strike preparation. The bargaining team will continue to hammer at the table but the Company must understand the consequence of not reaching a fair agreement.
Picket schedules should be established and rolling pickets organized. We know our locals and their members are creative and we are looking forward to their participation in helping bring this contract in.
Sell No More – Mobilize!
July 2, 2008
The Unions and the Company did not meet face to face today. The CWA and IBEW Unions met in caucus and each bargaining unit spent the day reviewing their respective proposed contract language changes.
The parties are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow.
June 16, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today and the Unions presented a comprehensive package of demands which includes substantial wage increases and improvements in benefits and working conditions.
Bargaining has been recessed until June 30th so that CWA Representatives can attend the CWA Annual Convention.
At this point our members’ agenda is now fully on the table, but simply putting forth demands will not achieve a successful contract. Our power at the bargaining table is the unity and commitment of our members. Every member should take every opportunity to let the Company know that you support your interests by supporting your Union.
The next bargaining update will be on June 30th, 2008.
June 12, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today. The Company gave details of their prescription drug plan which would impose increases in the cost of medications for active and retired members. In some examples, the increases would cost some retirees most of their income. The Company’s medical and prescription demand would shift tens of millions of dollars of cost to our members. The meeting adjourned and the Unions will spend the remainder of today working on bargaining demands.
While the company has only brought the Medical and Drug plans to the table it is their intent to take back years of hard fought for progress. Our medical and Drug plans are the result of many contracts and even strikes. We to must be willing to do the same things we did to get them in order to keep them.
Mobilize!!!
June 11, 2008
The parties met today and there was intense and sometimes angry discussion on the subject of subcontracting, access to jobs and employment security. The Union pointed out that our members provide Verizon's competitive edge. The Union also reminded the company that Verizon opposed all attempts at a National Healthcare solution and are now demanding concessions from our members. Operators argued the need to provide work for our members.
The Unions are scheduled to meet with the company at 9:30am tomorrow morning. The Unions will work on preparing the framework for a comprehensive counter proposal.
Every single member has something to gain or loose. While we all don't have to be fighting for the same issues, we all do have to be in the same fight.
Mobilize!!!
June 6, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today and the Company provided data comparisons for their proposed changes to the prescription drug plan and answers to questions regarding the Company’s proposed Medical Plan changes. The parties are scheduled to meet again on Monday, June 9th.
June 5, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today and the discussions focused on the grievance, mediation and arbitration procedures. The Unions raised their concerns about the unreasonable delays in these processes as well as the difficulties in obtaining information and records. Complaints were expressed about lower level management’s inability to resolve grievances at their level. Talks on these subjects will continue. The parties are scheduled to meet again tomorrow.
June 4, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today and the Company presented additional data on their healthcare plan modifications. Many questions were asked by the committee and additional data requests were made. The parties will meet tomorrow to continue negotiations on the Union’s agenda.
May 30, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today, the Company presented the Unions with a proposal to modify the medical and prescription drug plan. The meeting adjourned and the Unions will be studying the proposal and preparing a response.
The parties will tentatively meet again on Wednesday, June 4th.
May 29, 2008
The Unions did not meet with the Company today as scheduled because the Company is still working on its proposal. The Company expects to present their proposal tomorrow. The Unions are using the delay to work on our members’ agenda. The parties are scheduled to meet tomorrow morning.
May 28, 2008
The CWA/IBEW joint committee met with the company bargaining committee today. The Union gave an opening statement emphasizing job security, healthcare, labor relations and economic needs of our members.
The Union presented some of their demands to the company and is awaiting the company’s proposal. The parties are scheduled to meet tomorrow.
May 27, 2008
The CWA/IBEW Regional Bargaining Committee met jointly today with Verizon in Washington, DC. The Company’s chairperson made an opening statement expressing the Company’s concern on the rising cost of health care benefits. A representative from the Company’s Human Resources department gave a presentation on the Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits for the Mid Atlantic area. Our bargaining team questioned the Company on the details of the presentation. No formal proposals were exchanged today. Talks will continue tomorrow. |
