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2008-08-01 00:00:00 GMT-04:00

Until our Verizon Contract Expires

Welcome to CWA Local 1400

VzB Techs Join CWA Info Picket Line @ Verizon

 

This is John Lindner, a VzB tech speaking with VZ members in Manhattan this morning about the campaign to form a union of VzB techs. John was joined by 4 other VzB techs, all of whom pledged not to cross our picket lines. Another VzB tech joined the 1103 Informational picketing in Westchester with the same message of solidarity.
 
Tim Dubnau
CWA District One
 


Union members protest at Verizon's annual meeting

 (IBEW-CWA Press Release)


 

Communications Workers of America
 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Press Release
 For immediate release:
May 1, 2008

For more info contact: Rand Wilson (617) 803-0799

At the 2008 shareholder meeting Union members protest Verizon's divisive approach to managing employees .

Lincoln, Neb. Dozens of union members carried thousands of proxy votes into Verizons annual shareholder meeting today with a message to "Separate the Verizon Chair and CEO jobs" and of "No Confidence in the Verizon Board of Directors." Prior to the meeting, union members and community supporters leafleted shareholders and top executives with a message of concern about the divisive direction that CEO Ivan Seidenberg is taking the company. Verizon's top executives have created an artificial wall separating its wireless and large business operations from wireline, which includes FiOS, too often resulting in dissatisfied or confused customers. Verizon workers are especially concerned about how management is aggressively interfering in the freedom of workers in the Verizon Wireless and Verizon Business segments to unite in the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  "Verizon management has tried to isolate us from the company's unionized workforce to keep us from having a voice on the job," said Dave Rogol, a technician with Verizon Business who spoke at the meeting.  "Management has made blatantly false statements to us in their so-called union awareness materials.  All we are asking is that the company drop the intimidation and honor a neutrality and union recognition procedure that other Verizon employees have benefited from." "These divisions aren't good for shareholders or customers," said Dave Reardon, a 34-year telephone worker and union official at IBEW Local 2222 in Boston, who gave a lengthy overview of employees' concerns at the meeting.  "Our company's strongest performance will come from bundling wireless with voice, data, and video from FiOS for all customers -- large and small." Union members also supported a shareholder proposal by the Association of BellTel Retirees to improve corporate governance at Verizon.  "Ivan Seidenberg is now both Chairman and CEO.  How can he be his own boss?" asked Craig Fields, a Central Office tech and member from IBEW Local 2321.  "We believe that an independent Board Chair is particularly appropriate at Verizon. For too many years the compensation of Verizon's senior executives has been disconnected from returns to shareholders.  The chairman should be an independent director." During the question and answer period, Seidenberg fielded questions from many worker shareholders. Lee Gitschier, a splice service tech from Lowell, Massachusetts was concerned about the rising cost of health insurance.  "Once again it's a contract year, and once again health care may prove to be one of the most contentious issues at the bargaining table," said Gitschier.  "Shifting more of the burden from employers to workers solves nothing.  It won't contain or control costs and prices will continue to go sky high.  Couldn't we   the unions and the company -- work together for a political solution to the problem that would take health care off the bargaining table?  Will you join with us to work with Congress and the next president for meaningful reforms so that this won't be a divisive bargaining issue any more?" The leaflet for shareholders and copies of statements by Rogol, Reardon, Fields, Gitschier and representatives of the Association of BellTel Retirees are available from Rand Wilson at rand@mindspring.com Photos from the event may be obtained at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/Verizon2008AnnualMeetingOfShareholders
  

Rand Wilson, Communications CoordinatorCenter for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO Organizing Dept.c/o IBEW Local 2222, 1137 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124w) (617) 929-6000, f) (617) 929-6099, c) (617) 803-0799 rwilson@aflcio.org or rand@mindspring.com

 

Send a message of solidarity and militancy: wear RED on Thursdays!


The preliminary tally of shareholders votes were as follows:
Election of Directors: over 90%
Proposal #3 (Stock options)
8.6 % yes

Proposal #4 (Gender)
17 % yes

Proposal #5 (Separation of Chair and CEO)
20.4 yes
 
Thanks to everyone at the IBEW, CWA, and AFL-CIO who helped make this a very proud day for the labor movement at Verizon!

Rand Wilson, Communications Coordinator
Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO Organizing Dept.
c/o IBEW Local 2222, 1137 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
w) (617) 929-6000, f) (617) 929-6099, c) (617) 803-0799
rwilson@aflcio.org or rand@mindspring.com
 


 

Tape updated 04-15-2008

Thank you for calling CWA Local 1400.  It is April 15, Kerri Quinlan speaking. 
 
 The Verizon to Fairpoint transition went smoothly although there are issue with the 401k going from Verizon to Fairpoint.  As soon as the issues are resolved the company will notify all affected members.
 
Please fill out your proxy's and give them to your stewards by the end of the week so they can send them to the local.  We need to have them to the National by the 21.  If you have any questions on filling out your proxy's please calll the local at 603 436 4388.
 
April's membership meeting will be held April 26 from 12-2.  The location will be:
 
The Lawrence Elks
652 Andover Street
Lawrence, MA
 
Rememer to wear RED on Thursdays

Membership Meeting

Ø      Get details from our Fairpoint brothers & sisters about their contract!

Ø      Getting ready for contract expiration – August 2008!  Bargaining begins soon!

Ø      Talk about what goes on in your office, call center or store

Ø      Ask your elected officials questions about contract and workplace issues

Saturday, April 26th  12:00 PM  

The Lawrence Elks  652 Andover Street Lawrence, MA

Click here for a Printable flyer. Please share the info with your co-workers!


Welcome Fairpoint members!

Our Fairpoint Page has been updated with:

Fairpoint contract extension

Fairpoint tentative ratification ballot results April 4, 2008

Pension plan Information


Tape updated 03-31-2008

Today is Monday March 31, 2008 744am President Cheryl Ahern speaking.

NH and VT PUC followed suite w/  ME. They scolded Fairpoint but are allowing  the sale to still go through despite the significant change in the bond issue. NH is the only one that acually did anything besides take them out to the woodshed. VZ in NH agreed to change the line loss agreement from if line loss exceeds 10% in the 1st and 2nd year to pay $15m both years to $15m guaranteed the 1st year no matter what and $15m the 2nd year if line loss exceeds 7 1/2%.


Tape updated 03-29-2008

Today is Saturday March 29, 2008, 3:19pm President Cheryl Ahern speaking.

The Maine PUC held an emergency hearing and deliberation yesterday on the Fairpoint Communications takeover of Verizon's land-line. The issue is that FP sold bonds to finance the deal at interest rates that were much higher than expected.
The commissioners decided that the $2.35 billion deal can still go through but the New Hampshire and Vermont regulators announced that they will hold emergency meetings Sunday to reconsider the sale.
All three states must agree to the deal for it to take effect on Monday as planned.

The SRC in Manchester NH has an opening for a 2nd level manager and Verizon is advising Fairpoint that the position should be filled by Jennifer Cieslik. Currently she holds a team leader position. Jen's past actions towards reps in the IDC center does not make her the candidate of choice for the union or its members. This manager has been unethical when dealing with members in the past and we are fearful of what she may try to do to CWA members if she is the Center Manager.
Also, she refused to come back to Manchester because she did not want to be a Fairpoint employee. By her and other managers not being there in the time of transition, has already caused great harm to our members. Why would Fairpoint want to reward a person with a 2nd level position when she did not want to even be a Fairpoint employee? This will deteriorate the moral of this newly formed office and overall harm our members.

Older tape updates can be viewed by clicking  "The Tape" link on the left


High interest rate spurs re-evaluation of FairPoint deal
Saturday, March 29, 2008 - Bangor Daily News   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Public Utilities Commission held an emergency hearing and deliberations Friday on the FairPoint Communications takeover of Verizon's....

Please read our News Page for the full story


Did you know that AT&T Wireless is the ONLY union wireless company...

is it time for you to make a change?   Check out www.GetUnionWireless.com.

Discount for union members raised to 10%!


Rally to Support Idearc Workers and Retirees
Fight For Our Rights! Good Jobs • A Secure Future • Respect
 
 
Saturday, March 29
10:00 am
Boston Teachers' Union, 150 Mount Vernon Street, Boston
(refreshments will be on hand)
 
For more info, visit www.cwa-union.org/idearc or call (617) 524-8778

 Please read our News Page for the full story and flyer


03-04-2008

As of 03-04-2008 the following members  have refused to step down from a TP or Acting Position:

Taunton - Kelly Boyer, Tracy Long

Andover - Kerri Cormay, Greg Naffah, Patrick Farmer

Thanks for your support "brothers and sisters"


03-03-2008

Monday March 3rd  All members who are TP  or Acting managers are asked to step down as of today. please return to your normal union functions


 Please wear RED on Thursdays!