Telecom News: Idearc Members Mobilize, Press NLRB Charges in Bargaining Struggle

Over 700 CWA and IBEW members at Idearc in New York and New England are continuing to hang tough as their ongoing battle for a new contract continues into its 14th month at Verizon's former Yellow Pages division.

The workers, members of CWA Locals 1301 and 1302, and IBEW Local 2213, have been working without a contract since June 2007 when Idearc declared a bargaining impasse — illegally, CWA has charged — and imposed new working conditions, unilaterally freezing pensions, lowering wages, benefits, sales commissions, and cutting back job security. Unfair labor practice charges are still pending before the National Labor Relations Board.

"The company's action has made the workers more determined than ever," said Assistant to the District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor, who is heading up bargaining. "Locals representing every Idearc worker at the company formed a coalition to discuss strategies and plan mobilization activities," he said. The 17 locals represent 1,700 Idearc workers in Districts 1, 2 and 13.

The coalition is meeting monthly and some headway is being made. Recently, Local 1020 successfully concluded effects bargaining to merge 70 workers from the company's closing West Orange, N.J., facility into Local 1025's contract for Idearc workers in nearby Maywood.

Discussions have also resumed between CWA and the company over a new contract for the 700 workers who have worked without a contract since last year.

The company has come under increasing fire for its business decisions, prompting its stock to fall by more than 87 percent in a year. Just before this issue went to press, Idearc announced the layoff of some 1,500 managers.