CWAers Slam VZ West for 'Unacceptably Slow' Progress in Bargaining

CWAers at Verizon West are keeping up mobilization and their strong bargaining support as union and company negotiators go head to head over key issues of compensation and the outsourcing and offshoring of jobs.

"Progress has been unacceptably slow," said District 9 Vice President Jim Weitkamp. "Just as Verizon continues to abandon its customers and quality service as it moves away from landline part of its operations, it is abandoning the workers and communities that helped Verizon grow and meet its bottom line."

The company wants to cut workers' base pay, offering higher sales commissions that are, in reality, unattainable. Verizon also insists on shifting bargaining unit work out of state or to Mexico.

Contract negotiations for 5,500 workers are more than a month past the March 13 contract expiration.

CWA members are continuing to build strong public and community support. Several members of the Long Beach city council joined CWAers in a rally and march last week. Later, by a nearly unanimous 8-1 vote, the city council passed a resolution calling on Long Beach's city manager and auditor to review all businesses that have large contracts with the city to determine the impact of hiring practices on local jobs, and to report their findings within 60 days.