CWA/IBEW Verizon Bargaining Report: Tuesday, 8-5-08

With the clock frozen at 11:59 PM 8-2-08 the bargaining continues around the clock with all the MidAtlantic and North Verizon Bargaining Units.  Running concurrent with the bargaining of the core agreements are separate tables for VCS and Global Networks Inc. here in the MidAtlantic area.  While some progress has been made at the table in all of the bargaining units, we still have some distance to close before we can reach a fair agreement on all of our issues.

The Unions and the Company are still very far apart on the most major issue of employment security and work of the future.  The bargaining committee recognizes that it makes no sense to achieve good wages and benefits and then lose the jobs that provide them.

Claiming the work at Verizon for our members has always been the centerpiece of employment security.  Everyone has seen our work being moved to non union entities of Verizon and to subcontractors.  With over 1000 copper line net loss a day the need to claim the fiber work is simply a survival issue.  Many of us are employed today because our Union has been farsighted in addressing future work issues.  We obtained DSL work in our contracts before DSL ever hit the market.  We addressed broadband before there was broadband and now we are addressing the new future in the fiber work.

The possibility of a strike is still very real as we will continue to freeze the clock as long as progress is being made.  This option makes our Mobilization efforts more important than ever.  We need to keep pressure on these negotiations to serve as a reminder that our members are actively supporting our agenda.  Verizon is well aware that failure to reach a fair agreement will result in a strike and they understand the pain we are prepared to inflict.  They know we are prepared to fight for our livelihoods.  We need to remain focused and disciplined in our efforts to obtain a fair contract.