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Bell Atlantic Members Vote to Authorize Strike
CWA members at Bell Atlantic over-whelmingly voted to authorize a strike at the company if negotiations fail to reach a new contract. The agreement covering some 72,000 Bell Atlantic workers expires Aug. 5; negotiations opened June 26.
Some 95 percent of voting members throughout the 13-state Bell Atlantic territory approved the call for strike authorization. Under CWA’s three-step procedure, the action now must be approved by CWA’s Executive Board, with CWA President Morton Bahr setting the strike date.
This year’s bargaining takes place as Bell Atlantic is completing its merger with GTE Corp. to become Verizon Communications. The new company will be the industry leader in terms of profits, and second biggest in terms of revenues. Vice Presidents Larry Mancino, District 1; Pete Catucci, District 2; and Vince Maisano, District 13, are coordinating their efforts and activities for the multi-district bargaining, which integrates the former NYNEX, or Bell Atlantic “North,” in District 1 with Bell Atlantic “South” in Districts 2 and 13.
From Maine to Virginia, Bell Atlantic members are mobilizing in support of key bargaining goals. They include job security and access to the new jobs within the company, improvements in wages and retirement security, and the elimination of such workplace problems as excessive stress, contracting out and forced overtime.
Across the region, members are wearing red on Thursdays, holding “just practicing” picket actions, getting strike signs ready and building support for bargaining.
“Flying squadron” activists are organizing mobilization activities and energizing Bell Atlantic workers; CWA locals also are working with local AFL-CIOs in “street heat” events.
The ability of union members to move into the growth areas of the company — wireless, data network integration, Internet access and more — is a critical part of negotiations, the bargaining committee stressed, along with opportunity for workers in these new areas to fairly choose union representation.
Some 95 percent of voting members throughout the 13-state Bell Atlantic territory approved the call for strike authorization. Under CWA’s three-step procedure, the action now must be approved by CWA’s Executive Board, with CWA President Morton Bahr setting the strike date.
This year’s bargaining takes place as Bell Atlantic is completing its merger with GTE Corp. to become Verizon Communications. The new company will be the industry leader in terms of profits, and second biggest in terms of revenues. Vice Presidents Larry Mancino, District 1; Pete Catucci, District 2; and Vince Maisano, District 13, are coordinating their efforts and activities for the multi-district bargaining, which integrates the former NYNEX, or Bell Atlantic “North,” in District 1 with Bell Atlantic “South” in Districts 2 and 13.
From Maine to Virginia, Bell Atlantic members are mobilizing in support of key bargaining goals. They include job security and access to the new jobs within the company, improvements in wages and retirement security, and the elimination of such workplace problems as excessive stress, contracting out and forced overtime.
Across the region, members are wearing red on Thursdays, holding “just practicing” picket actions, getting strike signs ready and building support for bargaining.
“Flying squadron” activists are organizing mobilization activities and energizing Bell Atlantic workers; CWA locals also are working with local AFL-CIOs in “street heat” events.
The ability of union members to move into the growth areas of the company — wireless, data network integration, Internet access and more — is a critical part of negotiations, the bargaining committee stressed, along with opportunity for workers in these new areas to fairly choose union representation.