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Verizon Wireless Joins Right Wing Attack
As expected, CWA's neutrality and card check recognition agreement with Verizon Wireless expired August 17 with no prospect of renewing - let alone improving - the language negotiated as part of the 2000 round of Verizon bargaining.
But Verizon not only spurned any renegotiation of the pact, the company allied itself with the right wing forces that are trying to kill off the majority card check organizing process.
The labor relations director for Wireless wrote CWA citing the Bush NLRB's decision to review a National Right to Work attack on card check in a case involving a UAW organizing drive. He noted, "We share the concerns the Board has expressed," and proposed "that we rely on Board election processes upon expiration of the current agreement."
The Right to Workers are trying to change the law to permit employer-inspired decertification campaigns to take place immediately after card check recognition, rather than allowing one year for first contract negotiations.
Meanwhile, congressional Right to Work allies are pushing to completely outlaw consent recognition based on card check agreements.
Wireless' refusal to renegotiate the pact was no surprise, Executive Vice President Larry Cohen noted, because the company has violated the letter and the spirit of the agreement from the start. Because of the company's relentless anti-union behavior, even including firing union supporters during organizing drives, the AFL-CIO has made Verizon Wireless, along with Comcast, the subject of a strategic campaign in support of CWA and IBEW organizing efforts.
But Verizon not only spurned any renegotiation of the pact, the company allied itself with the right wing forces that are trying to kill off the majority card check organizing process.
The labor relations director for Wireless wrote CWA citing the Bush NLRB's decision to review a National Right to Work attack on card check in a case involving a UAW organizing drive. He noted, "We share the concerns the Board has expressed," and proposed "that we rely on Board election processes upon expiration of the current agreement."
The Right to Workers are trying to change the law to permit employer-inspired decertification campaigns to take place immediately after card check recognition, rather than allowing one year for first contract negotiations.
Meanwhile, congressional Right to Work allies are pushing to completely outlaw consent recognition based on card check agreements.
Wireless' refusal to renegotiate the pact was no surprise, Executive Vice President Larry Cohen noted, because the company has violated the letter and the spirit of the agreement from the start. Because of the company's relentless anti-union behavior, even including firing union supporters during organizing drives, the AFL-CIO has made Verizon Wireless, along with Comcast, the subject of a strategic campaign in support of CWA and IBEW organizing efforts.