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VIS Stalls Contract Talks
Contract talks resumed this week between CWA and Verizon Information Services for four days, but CWA bargainers reported frustration at the company's continuing "bait and switch" tactics. No new negotiations are scheduled.
The unfair labor practice strike, covering some 300 New York VIS workers, members of CWA Locals 1105, 1118 and 1122, has been underway for nearly 11 weeks.
Meanwhile, CWA members in Harrisburg, Pa., beat back an effort to decertify their union at the VIS operation there, keeping their union voice. "This is an important victory against Verizon's aggressive anti-worker strategy," said CWA Organizing Director Ed Sabol.
Over the past days of bargaining, VIS continued the tactics that led to the start of the unfair labor practice strike on Oct. 31, by refusing to bargain in good faith over compensation.
"Once again, VIS bargainers engaged in illegal 'bait and switch' tactics, stating verbally their intention to address the union's need for clear contractual protection of workers' compensation during the life of the agreement, but refusing to translate those verbal agreements into actual contract language," bargainers reported.
CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton said, "We are sick and tired of VIS's stubborn refusal to bargain in good faith for a new contract," and he stressed that the "remarkable solidarity" of the VIS workers would see them through to a new contract. He thanked the bargaining team and CWA staff "for their incredible hard work and perseverance over the last several days."
Locals are stepping up their mobilization and unfair labor practice strike actions. Also continuing are the successful "Dump the Book" rallies across New York State, where CWAers collect telephone directories to return to Verizon, because the products now are produced by scabs. Updates and more information are available at cwa-union.org/verizon.
The unfair labor practice strike, covering some 300 New York VIS workers, members of CWA Locals 1105, 1118 and 1122, has been underway for nearly 11 weeks.
Meanwhile, CWA members in Harrisburg, Pa., beat back an effort to decertify their union at the VIS operation there, keeping their union voice. "This is an important victory against Verizon's aggressive anti-worker strategy," said CWA Organizing Director Ed Sabol.
Over the past days of bargaining, VIS continued the tactics that led to the start of the unfair labor practice strike on Oct. 31, by refusing to bargain in good faith over compensation.
"Once again, VIS bargainers engaged in illegal 'bait and switch' tactics, stating verbally their intention to address the union's need for clear contractual protection of workers' compensation during the life of the agreement, but refusing to translate those verbal agreements into actual contract language," bargainers reported.
CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton said, "We are sick and tired of VIS's stubborn refusal to bargain in good faith for a new contract," and he stressed that the "remarkable solidarity" of the VIS workers would see them through to a new contract. He thanked the bargaining team and CWA staff "for their incredible hard work and perseverance over the last several days."
Locals are stepping up their mobilization and unfair labor practice strike actions. Also continuing are the successful "Dump the Book" rallies across New York State, where CWAers collect telephone directories to return to Verizon, because the products now are produced by scabs. Updates and more information are available at cwa-union.org/verizon.