CWA AND VERIZON SERVICES CORP.
CUSTOMER SERVICE IMPLEMENTER
BARGAINING REPORT
REPORT DATE May 21, 2009
“Two roads diverged in a wood…”
Bargaining took a poetic turn today when it became clear that Verizon and CWA have diametrically opposed interests regarding the bargaining unit status of PA CSI’s.
As reported in the last Bargaining Report, Verizon provided the Union with a pre-packaged contract for the CSI’s, and stated their goal was to keep these employees separate from the CORE bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 13500. The Union, after only a brief glimpse at the Company’s proposal, recognized that it contained provisions that were not only inferior to the CORE contract between Verizon and Local 13500, but it included reductions in the CSI’s current working conditions.
At today’s round of discussions, CWA rejected the Company approach to establishing a separate bargaining unit for the 16 CSI’s who voted to join CWA. CWA noted that this was a unique and unprecedented demand on the part of the Company. CWA noted that employees performing similar work in the Potomac Region and in New Jersey are covered under Verizon CORE contracts with CWA in those jurisdictions.
The Union formally rejected the Company proposal and countered with a demand to include the CSI’s in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between CWA Local 13500 and Verizon. The Union acknowledged differences in Benefits and other working conditions that could be ironed out in a manner similar to when employees working in the former GTE location in Hersey, PA was included in the CWA Local 13500 contract with Verizon.
Verizon’s spokesperson, agreed that their proposal is unique. However, she noted that there has been no similar situation in the past 20 years that could be cited as a precedent. Further, she stated: “the Company does not intend to include former management employees, who have never been part of the historic CORE bargaining unit, in a contract that is over 60 years old and evolved under a monopoly environment.“
After an emotional exchange expressing each other’s disappointment and disagreement over our inability to reach agreement over this vital element of our future relationship, the parties adjourned for further consideration of the situation and to consult with their respective constituents.
Updates will be posted on district13.cwa-union.org under “Latest News”
There are no scheduled meetings at this time.
