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Frustrated VIS Workers Taking Strike Vote
Frustrated by months of stalled negotiations, unilateral changes in job conditions by management and even the firing of several union activists, CWA members at Verizon Information Services are taking a strike vote.
Meanwhile, the NLRB is investigating numerous CWA unfair labor practice charges against the company ranging from firing workers for union activity, including a negotiating committee member, to seizing union literature, denying the union access to company premises, harassing and intimidating workers through supervisory one-on-one meetings, and in various ways refusing to bargain in good faith.
First-contract bargaining began last May on behalf of the 1,700 workers in Verizon's directory sales organization covering the former Bell Atlantic/Nynex region on the East Coast. The talks are being coordinated among Districts 1, 2 and 13 at 19 separate tables.
Despite an intense grassroots mobilization effort, VIS management has dragged its feet on union information requests and refused to engage in meaningful bargaining over key issues, including sales commission and performance evaluation plans management recently introduced.
Changes in the commission structure, imposed since the union was recognized in March, have slashed sales reps' income. VIS also adopted harsh new disciplinary standards in its performance plan without negotiating with CWA, and it has applied the changes discriminatorily to target union activists.
Among those fired were Rene Garzan of Somerset, N.J. who appeared at CWA's convention in June to describe the VIS workers' struggle, and Ken Moss, a negotiating committee member in Philadelphia.
The VIS workers have conducted widespread mobilization activities for months including marching into work together, wearing stickers and red shirts, informational picketing, petition drives and organized phone calling to top VIS and Verizon officials.
CWA negotiators also have been working hard, but with little to show for it so far. "We've gone over the issues thoroughly, but so far we haven't gotten the company to come with a meaningful set of proposals," said District 13's negotiator Jim Short, assistant to Vice President Vince Maisano. "After all this time, I'd say all we've agreed to is just window dressing - nothing significant."
Meanwhile, the NLRB is investigating numerous CWA unfair labor practice charges against the company ranging from firing workers for union activity, including a negotiating committee member, to seizing union literature, denying the union access to company premises, harassing and intimidating workers through supervisory one-on-one meetings, and in various ways refusing to bargain in good faith.
First-contract bargaining began last May on behalf of the 1,700 workers in Verizon's directory sales organization covering the former Bell Atlantic/Nynex region on the East Coast. The talks are being coordinated among Districts 1, 2 and 13 at 19 separate tables.
Despite an intense grassroots mobilization effort, VIS management has dragged its feet on union information requests and refused to engage in meaningful bargaining over key issues, including sales commission and performance evaluation plans management recently introduced.
Changes in the commission structure, imposed since the union was recognized in March, have slashed sales reps' income. VIS also adopted harsh new disciplinary standards in its performance plan without negotiating with CWA, and it has applied the changes discriminatorily to target union activists.
Among those fired were Rene Garzan of Somerset, N.J. who appeared at CWA's convention in June to describe the VIS workers' struggle, and Ken Moss, a negotiating committee member in Philadelphia.
The VIS workers have conducted widespread mobilization activities for months including marching into work together, wearing stickers and red shirts, informational picketing, petition drives and organized phone calling to top VIS and Verizon officials.
CWA negotiators also have been working hard, but with little to show for it so far. "We've gone over the issues thoroughly, but so far we haven't gotten the company to come with a meaningful set of proposals," said District 13's negotiator Jim Short, assistant to Vice President Vince Maisano. "After all this time, I'd say all we've agreed to is just window dressing - nothing significant."