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Wireless Workers - Verizon's Stepchildren
CWA locals throughout Verizon Wireless territory are getting the word out that the company has a double standard concerning its own identity and the benefits it gives executives and rank-and-file workers.
"As part of an overall effort to educate the public and Verizon Wireless workers," said CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen, "we will be distributing this information to the company's employees: Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless are one company when it comes to rewarding executives, but they insist they are two companies when it comes to bargaining a union contract with benefits for its workers. We will continue to fight until it is one company that treats all its employees fairly."
A flier locals are preparing to distribute says, "Even the CEO doesn't like the benefits at Verizon Wireless." It informs employees that Verizon Wireless CEO Dennis Strigl has negotiated a contract with Verizon Communications that will give him benefits that compare with those of executive officers of the core company.
Strigl's contract with Verizon Communications gives him a benefits package worth $5.2 million not including $12.6 million in unexercised stock options: $875,000 salary, $3,293,600 bonus, $1,005,400 in perks including personal use of a company jet, car and chauffeur, New York City apartment, golf club memberships and a free cell phone.
"Why doesn't the company improve all employees' benefits at Verizon Wireless?" the flier asks. Because, it says, "Verizon Wireless insists that it is a separate company from Verizon Communications, so Wireless employees shouldn't expect the same benefits as their union-represented co-workers at Verizon Communications."
"Joining together and getting a union contract" is the key to getting equal benefits the flier says. It provides a phone number, (800) 424-2872, and an e-mail address: organize@cwa-union.org, where workers can call for information and to get involved in the fight.
"As part of an overall effort to educate the public and Verizon Wireless workers," said CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen, "we will be distributing this information to the company's employees: Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless are one company when it comes to rewarding executives, but they insist they are two companies when it comes to bargaining a union contract with benefits for its workers. We will continue to fight until it is one company that treats all its employees fairly."
A flier locals are preparing to distribute says, "Even the CEO doesn't like the benefits at Verizon Wireless." It informs employees that Verizon Wireless CEO Dennis Strigl has negotiated a contract with Verizon Communications that will give him benefits that compare with those of executive officers of the core company.
Strigl's contract with Verizon Communications gives him a benefits package worth $5.2 million not including $12.6 million in unexercised stock options: $875,000 salary, $3,293,600 bonus, $1,005,400 in perks including personal use of a company jet, car and chauffeur, New York City apartment, golf club memberships and a free cell phone.
"Why doesn't the company improve all employees' benefits at Verizon Wireless?" the flier asks. Because, it says, "Verizon Wireless insists that it is a separate company from Verizon Communications, so Wireless employees shouldn't expect the same benefits as their union-represented co-workers at Verizon Communications."
"Joining together and getting a union contract" is the key to getting equal benefits the flier says. It provides a phone number, (800) 424-2872, and an e-mail address: organize@cwa-union.org, where workers can call for information and to get involved in the fight.