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As Verizon Talks Begin, PSC Backs Union Charges
On the eve of CWA's regional bargaining with Verizon East, the New York State Public Service Commission issued a scathing review of Verizon's service quality performance and called for an independent audit of the company's service failures.
The PSC suspended Verizon's right to raise prices until it can demonstrate that it meets all five of the PSC's service measures for three consecutive months. Commissioners criticized Verizon for not providing New York consumers with the superior quality service they deserve and ordered Verizon to develop a plan showing how it will meet these measures through the end of this year.
CWA has been pressing the PSC to address the impact of Verizon's layoffs, job cutbacks and declining investment on service quality. CWA also have been working with State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, whose Assembly committee recently released a report, based on data from Verizon and the PSC, that reinforced CWA's charge that massive workforce reductions and cuts in capital investment have caused quality service to badly deteriorate.
The audit will review whether Verizon's workforce and its capital budget are large enough to meet service quality standards, among other issues.
CWA President Morton Bahr, in a pre-bargaining teleconference with reporters, stressed that the preservation of jobs and access to jobs in the new growth areas of Verizon are key bargaining goal for members.
He said CWA was going into contract talks with Verizon with the goal of reaching a fair agreement, and on time. "I'm optimistic that we can reach a fair settlement, especially if Verizon is serious about its stated goal of working in partnership with us."
CWA represents 75,000 Verizon workers nationwide and nearly 60,000 workers covered by the contracts expiring Aug. 2. Three CWA Districts are participating in the talks, with District 1 bargaining getting under way June 23 in New York, and talks for Districts 2, 13 and New Jersey-represented Verizon workers beginning in Washington, D.C., on June 26.
The PSC suspended Verizon's right to raise prices until it can demonstrate that it meets all five of the PSC's service measures for three consecutive months. Commissioners criticized Verizon for not providing New York consumers with the superior quality service they deserve and ordered Verizon to develop a plan showing how it will meet these measures through the end of this year.
CWA has been pressing the PSC to address the impact of Verizon's layoffs, job cutbacks and declining investment on service quality. CWA also have been working with State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, whose Assembly committee recently released a report, based on data from Verizon and the PSC, that reinforced CWA's charge that massive workforce reductions and cuts in capital investment have caused quality service to badly deteriorate.
The audit will review whether Verizon's workforce and its capital budget are large enough to meet service quality standards, among other issues.
CWA President Morton Bahr, in a pre-bargaining teleconference with reporters, stressed that the preservation of jobs and access to jobs in the new growth areas of Verizon are key bargaining goal for members.
He said CWA was going into contract talks with Verizon with the goal of reaching a fair agreement, and on time. "I'm optimistic that we can reach a fair settlement, especially if Verizon is serious about its stated goal of working in partnership with us."
CWA represents 75,000 Verizon workers nationwide and nearly 60,000 workers covered by the contracts expiring Aug. 2. Three CWA Districts are participating in the talks, with District 1 bargaining getting under way June 23 in New York, and talks for Districts 2, 13 and New Jersey-represented Verizon workers beginning in Washington, D.C., on June 26.