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CWA Takes on Verizon Giveback Demands
Verizon East bargaining continued this week at both regional tables in New York and Washington, D.C., and at local tables; CWA negotiators are contending with the company's demands for givebacks, even of key workplace gains won in the last round of negotiations.
Meanwhile, members of CWA Local 3673 in western North Carolina are keeping up their fight over excessive forced overtime and Verizon's demands for givebacks in family and sick benefits. The 150 technicians, on strike since May 19, have the support of their communities and the entire CWA family, which has been participating in an "adopt a striking family" program being coordinated through CWA District 3.
CWA locals from Verizon East also are supporting the strikers with contributions and they brought Brian Rowland, a Verizon North Carolina striker, to several union rallies and meetings in New York and New England to focus attention on the North Carolina strike and build on CWA solidarity.
A meeting of CWA and IBEW mobilization coordinators and a solidarity rally in New England raised nearly $2,500 for the strikers' cause. In New York, Rowland met with the regional bargaining committee and Local 1400, then joined meetings of Locals 1101 and 1103 before returning to North Carolina.
At the mid-Atlantic bargaining table, CWA District 13 Vice President Vince Maisano told Verizon that poor investment, huge debt and use of subcontractors was hurting the business. "Our members are not going to pay for your mismanagement," he said.
CWA District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci reminded Verizon that CWA has helped the company in the legislative and regulatory arena, and that workers deserve access to the company's subsidiaries. "Our members will make those subsidiaries successful," he said.
Also at the mid-Atlantic regional table, which covers the former Bell Atlantic operations, management demanded the elimination of the hard-won limits on forced overtime and advance notice for mandatory overtime that were a key part of the 2000 strike and settlement.
At the Northeast regional table, CWA bargainers told Verizon that it cannot justify its retrogressive proposals for workers, especially when compared to its profits and the compensation paid to executives. The company this week outlined proposed cutbacks in the medical coverage and prescription drug plan that would dramatically cut benefits for workers and retirees.
CWA members and retirees continue to mobilize for a fair contract, and on July 1, CWA President Morton Bahr joined some 700 retired members in New York, who pledged their efforts in the contract fight.
Meanwhile, members of CWA Local 3673 in western North Carolina are keeping up their fight over excessive forced overtime and Verizon's demands for givebacks in family and sick benefits. The 150 technicians, on strike since May 19, have the support of their communities and the entire CWA family, which has been participating in an "adopt a striking family" program being coordinated through CWA District 3.
CWA locals from Verizon East also are supporting the strikers with contributions and they brought Brian Rowland, a Verizon North Carolina striker, to several union rallies and meetings in New York and New England to focus attention on the North Carolina strike and build on CWA solidarity.
A meeting of CWA and IBEW mobilization coordinators and a solidarity rally in New England raised nearly $2,500 for the strikers' cause. In New York, Rowland met with the regional bargaining committee and Local 1400, then joined meetings of Locals 1101 and 1103 before returning to North Carolina.
At the mid-Atlantic bargaining table, CWA District 13 Vice President Vince Maisano told Verizon that poor investment, huge debt and use of subcontractors was hurting the business. "Our members are not going to pay for your mismanagement," he said.
CWA District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci reminded Verizon that CWA has helped the company in the legislative and regulatory arena, and that workers deserve access to the company's subsidiaries. "Our members will make those subsidiaries successful," he said.
Also at the mid-Atlantic regional table, which covers the former Bell Atlantic operations, management demanded the elimination of the hard-won limits on forced overtime and advance notice for mandatory overtime that were a key part of the 2000 strike and settlement.
At the Northeast regional table, CWA bargainers told Verizon that it cannot justify its retrogressive proposals for workers, especially when compared to its profits and the compensation paid to executives. The company this week outlined proposed cutbacks in the medical coverage and prescription drug plan that would dramatically cut benefits for workers and retirees.
CWA members and retirees continue to mobilize for a fair contract, and on July 1, CWA President Morton Bahr joined some 700 retired members in New York, who pledged their efforts in the contract fight.