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Verizon Ordered to Restore Blood Drive Program
The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Verizon committed an unfair labor practice when it unilaterally eliminated paid leave for workers in New York who participated in a jointly sponsored blood donation program.
CWA Local 1103 and Verizon (formerly NYNEX) had jointly sponsored the blood drives for 30 years, working with the Hudson Valley Blood Services. Twice a year, workers would be eligible for four hours' pay - which covered drive time and blood donation time - when they participated in the program. In 2001, Verizon said it was stopping payments to workers but would continue to allow its facilities to be used for the blood program.
CWA charged that Verizon was bargaining in bad faith, because it ended the payments to workers without first negotiating with the union. Verizon claimed the change was a "managerial decision" not subject to collective bargaining, but an NLRB administrative law judge rejected that argument.
In a May 16 ruling, the full board agreed with the ALJ. The board's order requires Verizon to reinstate the program and to bargain with CWA Local 1103 before any changes can be made.
CWA Local 1103 and Verizon (formerly NYNEX) had jointly sponsored the blood drives for 30 years, working with the Hudson Valley Blood Services. Twice a year, workers would be eligible for four hours' pay - which covered drive time and blood donation time - when they participated in the program. In 2001, Verizon said it was stopping payments to workers but would continue to allow its facilities to be used for the blood program.
CWA charged that Verizon was bargaining in bad faith, because it ended the payments to workers without first negotiating with the union. Verizon claimed the change was a "managerial decision" not subject to collective bargaining, but an NLRB administrative law judge rejected that argument.
In a May 16 ruling, the full board agreed with the ALJ. The board's order requires Verizon to reinstate the program and to bargain with CWA Local 1103 before any changes can be made.