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****************************MOST RECENT (2011-2010):****************************
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Christmas Caroling at
Sandra Moose's House!
(Verizon Board Member)
Thursday, December 15th

Time: 6pm
Location: Meet @ Millenium Park
398 Gardner St, W. Roxbury, MA
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Melissa A. Morin Scholarship Application Deadline: December 15, 2011
Click HERE to print the Application
(or see your Chief Steward/DVP for an application)
The Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $3.2 million to students of over 2,100 union families since launching in 1992. Make sure your members get plenty of time to apply by getting word out about the program: Applications are now available online and must be received on or before 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. |
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The PS3 Bundle drawing was held at CWA Local 1400 on Thursday, December 1st.
And the Winner is... SARAH WATSON!!! - Fairpoint, South China, ME
(Sarah has graciously donated the PS3 Bundle to the Lanciani family)
Thank you to everyone who contributed!
*All donations (minus expenses) will go to CWA Local 1400 Member Shawn Lanciani, who has not been allowed back to work since the strike against Verizon ended.
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Run-off Election Notice
The Run-off election will be a secret ballot by mail for the following position:
Treasurer, CWA Local 1400
Full notification - CLICK HERE
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November 29, 2011
Verizon
Workers' Rights
Speak Out
Make Your Voice Heard!
Current proposals from Verizon will affect workers and their communities. Come hear workers speak out on Verizon's actions in the workplace, Verizon's retaliation against workers and lack of responsibility to wider public.
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
6:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral,
138 Tremont St, Boston
For more information visit www.massjwj.net or email jennife@massjwj.net
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October 28, 2011 - CWA Local 1400 Officer Election Results:

A Runoff Election for Treasurer of CWA Local 1400 will be held by mail within the next couple of weeks. There is a Runoff Election because no candidate received 50% plus one votes to be the winner. The (2) candidates that received the greatest number of votes will be in the Runoff Election.
Dates for the Election will be broadcasted to Members as soon as the information is available.
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Sept 30, 2011
Secret Ballots for Officer Elections have been mailed to all
CWA Local 1400 Members in Good Standing. If you have not received
a Ballot, please call the American Arbitration Association @
617-695-6037
*Ballots MUST be received by 5pm October 27, 2011*
Click HERE to view the CWA Election and Campaign Rules
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9/16/11 - Oakland, Maine:
T-Mobile Workers Fight Downsizing
___________________________________________________________________
Struggling FairPoint to Lay off 400 Workers
By CLARKE CANFIELD Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine September 8, 2011 (AP)
Telecommunications Company FairPoint Communications is cutting 400 jobs, or about 10 percent of its work force, as it continues to struggle financially after emerging from bankruptcy.
Company officials notified employees Thursday that about 130 people will lose their jobs in Maine, 190 in New Hampshire and 55 in Vermont in the coming months. Another 25 jobs are being cut in the other 15 states where FairPoint operates.
"We're matching our work force to our workload," said FairPoint Maine President Mike Reed. "We're under pretty heavy competition and everyone knows we've lost some access lines."
FairPoint is based in Charlotte, N.C., and provides telephone and high-speed Internet services in 18 states, with nearly 1.4 million access lines.
The company filed for bankruptcy in the fall of 2009, 18 months after buying Verizon's northern New England landline telephone and Internet operations for $2.3 billion. It has continued to struggle since emerging from bankruptcy in January.
In its last earnings report, FairPoint reported losing $27.1 million for the April-June period while seeing the number of its access lines decline 6.4 percent from a year ago. Its stock price has fallen from over $24 a share after emerging from bankruptcy to about $6, where it was trading Thursday afternoon.
The jobs now being cut include about 100 management positions and 300 union-represented jobs. All eligible employees will receive severance packages expected to total between $7 and $13 million.
The smaller work force will result in annual savings of about $34 million, FairPoint said.
The job cuts show the company still hasn't worked out its problems, said Peter McLaughlin, chairman of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers council overseeing locals in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
"We just barely have the people now to get done what we have to do and now they're going to cut another 400 heads," McLaughlin said. "Our residential customers, our business customers and our wholesale customers are going to suffer. And that's going to drive the company into the ground even further."
All the union layoffs involve IBEW members. FairPoint workers in the Communications Workers of America union, who work at FairPoint's call centers, have a separate contract and are not affected by the job cuts, Reed said.
While FairPoint continues to lose money, Reed said the company is meeting its goals for customer service and expanding broadband Internet throughout northern New England.
FairPoint has about 4,000 employees, nearly 3,400 of which are in northern New England.
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Thursday August 4th (6:00pm)
Join Us For The
2 Days to the Contract Expiration Rally!!
Location: 185 Franklin Street, Boston, MA @ 6:00pm
Marching from Bowdoin Square T-stop @ 5:45pm and South Station @ 5:50pm
Led by Bag Pipers!
Motorcycles are meeting @ 5:30pm: 649 Summer Street
Buses Going to Boston August 4th, Departing at 4:30-5:15pm:
Buses are being filled on a first come first serve basis!
Buses will be leaving Boston no later than 8:30pm
Fitchburg: Kmart 140 Whalon Street, Fitchburg, MA
Worcester: Price Chopper 72 Pullman Street, Worcester, MA
Marlboro: 251 Locke Drive, Marlboro, MA
Milford: Kmart 124 Medway Road, Milford, MA
Taunton: (No Bus) Meeting at the Braintree T-Station @ 4:30pm
**Limited Seating on (1) Bus leaving from Lawrence Elk's @ 5:30
PLEASE CALL CWA LOCAL 1400 TO PUT YOUR NAME ON A LIST FOR BUSES!
* Please give us your name, CBR, office and location you want to get on the bus: (603) 436-4388
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July 20, 2011
Local 1298
Communications Workers of America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: President, William Henderson 860-908-8680
Against All Odds
T-Mobile CT Technicians Vote to “GO UNION”
Hamden, Wednesday, July 20, 2011 – Fifteen T-Mobile technicians voted in an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board yesterday to join CWA Local 1298. They are the first T-Mobile workers in the nation to win a voice in their workplace.
The workers endured a withering anti-union campaign by T-Mobile management, including forced “captive audience” anti-union indoctrination sessions, stepped-up monitoring and other intimidation tactics, and an unusual 4 day NLRB hearing where high-priced T-Mobile attorneys tried to challenge the workers’ petition.
William Henderson, President of the Communications Workers of America, Local 1298 said, “This is a great victory for telecommunications workers in general, and especially T-Mobile workers. These workers had the guts and the wisdom to step up to protect their own interests. With the AT&T / T-Mobile merger coming, all T-Mobile workers should consider whether they want to go it alone – or have a voice in what happens. That’s why these Connecticut workers voted ‘Union.’ It’s a smart move.”
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1298 represents almost 5,000 workers working at at&t, at&t Mobility and other workplaces in Connecticut and throughout New England. One of the biggest union locals in the region, CWA Local 1298 is based in Hamden, CT.
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Rhode Island and Massachusetts
telecom workers and community supporters
are invited to:
Rally for good jobs
and quality services
at Verizon!
More than 50,000 Verizon workers on the East Coast are campaigning for a new union contract that would ensure good wages, quality health care and secure pension benefits. Our contract expires at midnight on August 6.
Union members are also fighting to provide quality services in the jobs of the future. Verizon has transitioned from a traditional "phone company" to a high tech provider of video, Internet and wireless communications. But management has "walled-off" union members from the new jobs in wireless and much of the Internet.
Through more than 35 years of collective bargaining, telecom workers have achieved secure jobs with good wages. These are the good jobs our communities need. We won't go backwards!
"We Are One" Rally
June 16, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Verizon Fiber Solutions Center (FSC)
234 Washington St, Providence, RI
RSVP on Facebook at: We Are One! Ready to Strike at Verizon 2011 (IBEW-CWA)
IBEW T6: www.ibew2222.org or call (617) 929-6000
CWA Local 1400: www.cwalocal1400.org or call (603) 436-4388
WE'RE PROVEN - WE'RE UNION - HANG TOUGH
www.ibew.org
www.cwa-union.org
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June 2, 2011
Maine - Rally against the Right-To-Work Bill:

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June 1, 2011
New Hampshire - Fighting the Right-To-Work Bill:

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May 25, 2011
H202 bill signing at the VT State House


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May 1, 2011
Single Payer Health Care Rally, Montpelier, Vermont


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April 14, 2011
Verizon Work & Family Committee -
SUMMER CAMP REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM 2011
DEADLINE FOR ENROLLMENT: JUNE 30, 2011
Click HERE for Summer Camp Reimbursement Info & Enrollment Application
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April 13, 2011
Taunton CSSC/SRC - Welcoming Verizon COO, Lowell McAdam!

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April 12, 2011
District 1 held a high level meeting today and AT&T has agreed to honor the Arbitration decision!

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April 6, 2011

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April 4, 2011
National Day of Action Photos - CWA Local 1400








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April 1, 2011
Dear Colleagues:
This is a reminder that applications are now being accepted through April 30 for the CWA Joe Beirne Foundation's annual scholarship offerings for the 2011-2012 school year.
The Foundation's Board of Directors has approved the awarding of fifteen (15) partial college scholarships of up to $3,000 each, and the winners also will receive second-year scholarships for the same amount, contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement.
Eligible for the scholarships are CWA members, their spouses, children and grandchildren, including the dependents of retired, laid-off, or deceased members. Applicants must be high school graduates or high school students who will graduate during the year in which they apply. Undergraduate and graduate students returning to school may also apply.
Applications will be available solely online for completion and submission to the Foundation's website:
http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne.
In Unity,

Larry Cohen
President
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March 26, 2011
Second Verizon 2011 Contract Campaign and
Organizing Strategy Session
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March 23, 2011
http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=cwa_crows_over_att_deal
CWA Crows Over AT&T Deal |
In cellular merger, organized labor comes out on top. |
MIKE ELK | March 23, 2011 | American Prospect, web only |

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(Flickr/Steve Rhodes) |
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When news of AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile USA broke on Sunday, the immediate reaction among progressives was one of dismay.
"Don't believe the hype: There is nothing about having less competition that will benefit wireless consumers," said S. Derek Turner, research director of the open communications advocacy group Free Press, in a statement. Other progressive consumer groups, including the Consumer Federation of America and the Center for Digital Democracy, were also quick to issue statements denouncing the deal, which, if approved, would create the country's largest cellular carrier.
However, one progressive group cheered the merger: the Communication Workers of America, a labor union whose more than 500,000 members include 150,000 AT&T employees.
"[Union members] in the U.S. will welcome this news since of all the possible partners, AT&T will mean better employment security and a management record of full neutrality toward union membership and a bargaining voice," CWA President Larry Cohen said in a statement shortly after the merger was announced. "For T-Mobile USA workers who want a voice in their workplace, this acquisition can provide a fresh start with T-Mobile management."
For over a decade, CWA has been trying to organize T-Mobile's 26,000 workers. (The American Prospect covered CWA's organizing campaign back in our November issue.) However, CWA alleges that T-Mobile has engaged in heavy-handed anti-union intimidation tactics that have prevented workers from joining a union.
"When we tried to organize a call center in Maine, they just stopped us dead in our tracks with just a brutal intimidation campaign," said New England Area CWA Local 1440 President Don Trementozzi. "They called the police on our organizers when they visited the workplace. They threatened to fire people who supported the union. It was just impossible to get an organizing committee going there."
At AT&T, the Communication Workers of America have succeeded over the decades in winning concessions from management, including an easier path to organizing and a neutrality agreement that would prevent the company from interfering with union drives. If past is prologue, the new AT&T umbrella could be good news for T-Mobile workers.
"When Unicel sold to AT&T, we were able to successfully organize Unicel workers, who had been trying to organize for years, in just 90 days and get them into the contract right away," said Trementozzi. "It's unheard of in the labor movement to organize workers and get them a contract in 90 days, but with the neutrality agreement we were able to do it. It was almost pathetic how easy it was."
The opportunity to organize T-Mobile using a similar neutrality agreement could be a great boon to CWA, which has lost nearly 50,000 members since the recession began in 2007. It could also benefit unions nationwide.
"If heavily unionized AT&T didn't buy T-Mobile, it would be tough for AT&T to compete against non-union Verizon, who had gained a greater market share," said Trementozzi. "If T-Mobile had sold to non-union Sprint, it would have made the situation even worse for AT&T. Now, at least a union company like AT&T can compete against Verizon and not drive unions totally out of the telecom industry."
Some progressive consumer advocates disagree, arguing that unions are putting their own self-interest above the interests of consumers and the country's economic wellbeing.
"It may create more dues-paying members for CWA, but does it mean it's good for overall job market and the country?" asked Free Press political adviser Joel Kelsey. "Mergers almost always result in layoffs."
This is not the first time CWA has sided with telecoms and upset progressives. Over the summer, progressive groups blasted CWA for endorsing the compromise position of the FCC on net neutrality.
But unions counter all of these charges by arguing that consumer advocacy groups are not properly balancing consumers' rights with the need to build a movement for workers' rights. "We think it's important to put the workers' rights issue on their agenda and into their analysis of positions," said CWA Senior Director of Collective Bargaining and Technology George Kohl. "The future of the labor movement is at stake?and the strength of the progressive movement as a result."
Mike Elk is a third-generation union organizer and labor journalist based in Washington, D.C. He writes frequently for the Huffington Post and In These Times and has appeared as a commentator on CNN, Fox News, and NPR. Follow him at www.Twitter.com/mikeelk.
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March 22, 2011
CWA 1118 Picket of at&t
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March 20, 2011 ***************** BREAKING NEWS!!! *********************

Statement by CWA President Larry Cohen
on the planned acquisition of T-Mobile USA by AT&T
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February 25, 2011
Stand Up With Wisconsin Rally In Trenton, NJ:
(Below) Don Trementozzi, President and Barbara Finn, DVP District 5, Maine






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February 25, 2011
Press Release
For more info contact Paul Feeney 617-930-8729 or Rand Wilson 617-803-0799
Massachusetts to Wisconsin...
Verizon IBEW members travel to Wisconsin to help build solidarity
In another important solidarity development, seven Boston-area Verizon employees who are members of IBEW Local 2222 left on Friday afternoon for an eighteen hour drive to Madison, Wisconsin to join the massive labor protests scheduled for this weekend.
Writing in a blog about the group's trip, Verizon employee and IBEW Local 2222 organizer Paul Feeney wrote, "We're making good time. We left Boston this afternoon and have heard from union members throughout the area as they send messages of support to the workers of Wisconsin. We plan to drive straight to Madison throughout the night."
I have asked each of my union brothers on the trip to reflect on how important it is to stand up at this critical time and act. Though we are but one small trip across many states that will end in a matter of days, we hope it serves as a call to action to all workers and their families. The call is urgent and the time is now!"
Steve "Smitty" Smith, another IBEW organizer and a retired 36-year lineman who is also on the trip wrote, "How important is Madison to me? My mom and my dad (a retired postal worker) live very modestly on his pension. Yet they offered me $100 when I told them we were going to support the workers in Madison. My mom and dad can't afford $100, but they won't stand by and see their children and grandchildren's futures disappear without getting involved." With his years of telecom experience and history of union activism, Smitty is considered the dean of the Boston delegation.
Other IBEW Local 2222 members on the trip to Madison include Bill Crowley, John Colleran, Jeff Oreander, Pat Atwell, and Matt Lyons.
"I'm so proud of all the telecom workers who are standing in Solidarity with our union brothers and sisters in Wisconsin," said Myles Calvey, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2222 and a key leader of Verizon telecom workers in New England. "Our unions must become part of a broad social movement to stop corporate greed in its tracks where ever it rears its ugly head! If today that fight is in Wisconsin, then we will be there!"
Calvey will be one of the lead negotiators for the union contracts with Verizon covering telecom workers from Massachusetts to Virginia that expires on August 6, 2011.
"Our local labor movement stood proud on Tuesday, said Greater Boston Labor Council, AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rich Rogers. "To see our private sector unions rallying with our public employees demonstrated again that union solidarity is more than just a slogan in Boston."
Watch a video clip of the last Tuesday's Boston rally visit: http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/02/23/boston-rally/
Rand Wilson
Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO
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February 21, 2011
Following is Message from Chris Shelton
Hello Everyone,
Labor Unions and the Middle Class are being attacked. In Wisconsin, the right wing is trying to strip away the Collective Bargaining Rights of the public workers. Tens of thousands of people have been protesting all weekend in Wisconsin. This is not a Budget fight, this is about a Governor who wants to destroy Unions. Ohio, Indiana, and New Jersey to name a few states are also under attack. There will be rallies in State Capitals all over the country this week. We must all get off the sidelines and join in this fight.
CWA and the AFL-CIO will be having a Rally in Trenton on the steps of the Statehouse on Friday at 12 Noon. The rally will be in support of our Brothers and Sisters who are fighting for their lives and their Unions in Wisconsin. The rally will also be a demonstration to the Governor of New Jersey that his ongoing attack on Collective Bargaining for our members and all Public Sector Union Members will be met with the same vehemence as what's going on in Wisconsin. It is vitally important for the survival of the Labor Movement and the survival of the Middle Class that we all come together not only Unions but also every group that has a stake in saving the American Dream.
Make no mistake if they succeed in Wisconsin and New Jersey they will be coming for the private sector unions and the rest of the Middle Class next.
On Friday February 25, 2011 - Every Union member should wear RED and we should encourage everyone who supports the American Dream to wear RED in support of our Rally IN Trenton and the Fight in Wisconsin.
CWA will be sponsoring a Nationwide Stewards Meeting (Conference Call) on Wednesday night tentative time 7:30 pm. Every CWA Steward should be on that call. Every Local should contact their Stewards to alert them, as the details become available we will get them to you.
Also any Local that can send people to Trenton on Friday at 12 noon should do so to demonstrate shoulder to shoulder arm in arm with your Brothers and Sisters CWA members from the Public Sector. Tentatively scheduled to speak at the Rally are Richard Trumka President of the AFL-CIO, Larry Cohen President of CWA and even more importantly Workers from Wisconsin.
See you Friday in Trenton,
Chris Shelton, Vice President
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January 30, 2011
VT AFL-CIO COPE Conference, Barre, VT
(Above, Left to Right) Mike O'Day, Lisa Heisler, Sumner Delaney / VT Governor, Peter Shumlin
(Above, Left to Right) Kris White, Mike O'Day, Jeff Gauther / Senator, Bernie Sanders
(Above, Left to Right) Congressman, Peter Welch / 2nd Row: Mike O'Day, Sumner Delaney, Front Table: Jeff Lasko, Kris White, Jeff Gauther, Gary Trivento
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January 8, 2011
Contract Campaign and Organizing Strategy Session.
CWA 1400 President Don Trementozzi and
IBEW 2222 Business Manager Myles Calvey.







More information about mobilizations in your area coming soon!
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All members and retirees invited!
Second Verizon 2011 Contract Campaign and
Organizing Strategy Session
It's Your Job - Join the Fight for It!

The Mobilization Team will have a second contract strategy meeting leading up to the August 6 Verizon contract expiration. We are organizing events to bring awareness and information to the membership regarding the issues involved in bargaining and our role as members to ensure a fair and equitable contract for all.
With all that has been in the news lately it is imperative that each and every member get involved. To quote Business Manager Myles Calvey, "Our success is gauged by your participation."
So participate for the good of the union!
Featuring:
- Presentations by T-6 Council Chair/IBEW Local 2222 Business Manager Myles Calvey and CWA Local 1400 President Don Trementozzi.
- Discussion of key contract issues and the context for bargaining in 2011.
- Mobilization and organization: Setting up our campaign structures and getting ready to mobilize for the future!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Teamsters Local 170, 330 Southwest Cutoff, Worcester, MA
(Take exit 11; Turn left at MA-122; Turn left to merge onto US-20 W/SW Cutoff toward Auburn/Sturbridge)
For more info and to RSVP for the meeting, please contact:
CWA Local 1400, (603) 436-4388, clocal1400@aol.com
IBEW T6 Council and Local 2222, http://ibew2222.org, (617) 929-6000
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All members and retirees are invited!
This is MANDATORY for all Chief Stewards & Stewards!
"Fighting for Our Union Future and the
Good Jobs Our Communities Need"
Verizon 2011 Contract Campaign and Organizing Strategy Session
Featuring:
*Presentations by T-6 Council Chair/IBEW Local 2222 Business Manager Myles Calvey and CWA Local 1400 President Don Trementozzi.
*Discussion of key contract issues and the context for bargaining in 2011.
*Mobilization and organization: Setting up our campaign structures and getting ready to mobilize for the future!
Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
American Legion, 88 Maple St., Marlboro, MA
(Close to I-495; two exits north of I-90)
For more info and to RSVP for the meeting, please contact:
CWA Local 1400, http://www.cwalocal1400.org, (603) 436-4388, clocal1400@aol.com
IBEW T6 Council and Local 2222, http://ibew2222.org, (617) 929-6000
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December 2, 2010
Senator Bernie Sanders:
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November 19, 2010
Maine call center workers being diagnosed with “T-Mobile syndrome”
On November 19, four CWA members visited the T-Mobile call center in Oakland, Maine. Starting at 6:30 in the morning, call center employees arriving at work eagerly spoke about some of the problems they face at T-Mobile.
After leafleting throughout the day, employees had a meeting with the union the same evening. Maine's T-Mobile workers are fired up and ready to go.
It turns out there's a new epidemic in Oakland: local doctors have taken to diagnosing some of the company’s employees with “T-Mobile syndrome” when stress starts to affect their health. And no, we’re not kidding.
If you think you're coming down with T-Mobile syndrome, get in touch with us. We're working to make T-Mobile a better employer. Whether you work in Oakland, Maine, or any other T-Mobile location, you can contact CWA Organizer Tim Dubnau at tdubnau@cwa-union.org. All communication will be strictly confidential.
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November 17, 2010
Swearing in to office, new District Vice President:
Theresa Dobson, District 2

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November 3, 2010

Dubie concedes, Shumlin wins governor's race
Burlington, Vermont - November 3, 2010
Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie conceded the race to Democrat Peter Shumlin at 9:30 this morning.
In his press conference, Dubie said he "accepts the will of the voters," and will not fight for a recount with the race currently standing at 50 percent to 48 percent.
Shumlin has a press conference planned for sometime between 11:00 a.m. and noon. Stay tuned to Channel 3 for up-to-the-minute results.
WCAX News
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November 3, 2010
MA Governor -- 2,120 of 2,168 precincts reporting (98%)
| Deval Patrick, Dem (i) | 1,083,924 | 49% | (X) | |
| Charlie Baker, GOP | 930,892 | 42% | ||
| Tim Cahill, Ind | 178,757 | 8% | ||
| Jill Stein, Grn | 32,106 | 1% |
NH Governor -- 278 of 301 precincts reporting (92%)
| John Lynch, Dem (i) | 224,720 | 52% | (X) | |
| John Stephen, GOP | 195,387 | 45% | ||
| John Babiarz, Lib | 9,681 | 2% |
VT Governor -- 233 of 260 precincts reporting (90%)
| Peter Shumlin, Dem | 103,504 | 50% | ||
| Brian Dubie, GOP | 100,375 | 48% | ||
| Dennis Steele, Ind | 1,704 | 1% | ||
| Dan Feliciano, Ind | 1,146 | 1% | ||
| Em Peyton, Ind | 797 | 0% |
ME Governor -- 568 of 596 precincts reporting (95%)
| Paul LePage, GOP | 206,149 | 38% | (X) | |
| Eliot Cutler, Ind | 198,589 | 37% | ||
| Libby Mitchell, Dem | 103,018 | 19% | ||
| Shawn Moody, Ind | 27,432 | 5% | ||
| Kevin Scott, Ind | 5,396 | 1% |
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November 2, 2010
CWA-COPE Contest a Tremendous Success
CWA members were the biggest winners in this year’s CWA-COPE contest, because the big jump in new CWA-COPE contributors means that CWAers will have an even stronger voice in the political process.
CWA Executive Vice President Annie Hill said CWAers should be very proud that “in the face of great challenges, a record number of members volunteered to either contribute to COPE for the first time or increase their contributions.”
Districts 1 and 6 won the contest, with District 1 collecting the most cards, 1,107, and District 6 raising the most dollars, $129,591, Hill said.
During the six month contest, 4,457 CWAers signed up for COPE for the first time or increased their contributions. That represents a 12.5 percent increase in contributions over 2009.
The hard work of CWA’s legislative/political coordinators, state coordinators and activists in every district and sector made the campaign a tremendous success. And the added incentive of the chance to win a trip to Las Vegas didn’t hurt.
On Nov. 2, eight separate drawings were held at CWA headquarters, with Hill and CWA Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Rechenbach picking the lucky winners of the trip for two to Las Vegas, including two nights’ accommodation and airfare. Watch the drawing at www.cwa-union.org/drawing, or check out the list of winners below:
- District 1 Michael Jones, Local 1109, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- District 2 Richard Henderson, Local 2010, Glenville, WVA
- District 3 Bonnie Cortes, Local 3250, Georgia
- District 4 Augusta Turman, Local 4302, Arkon, OH
- District 6 Brian Curby, Local 6143, San Antonio, TX
- District 7 Ken Saether, Local 7906, Lebanon, OR
- District 9 Ross Facione, Local 9408, Fresno, CA
Combined drawing for District 13/IUE-CWA/AFA-CWA, and media sectors
- Winner Kent Gee, IUE-CWA Local 86782, Tyler, TX
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October 29, 2010
N.H. Governor John Lynch visits Manchester SRC, Fairpoint, NNE:
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October 21, 2010
Press Release
For immediate release: October 21, 2010
For more info contact: Ralph Montefusco (802) 598-5613 or Rand Wilson (617) 803-0799
CWA Local 1400's New Hampshire members get the facts on key issues before Nov. 2 election
Manchester - Union leaders visited members in New Hampshire on October 20 to talk about key economic issues before voting on Nov. 2.
The Local 1400 Political Action Team distributed an educational leaflet at FairPoint's Holt Avenue Call Center in Manchester, N.H. where about 50 members work. They were joined by IBEW local union leaders who also have members at the same facility.
The educational leaflets showed where New Hampshire candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress stand on jobs, unemployment and social security.
The political education was jointly sponsored by the IBEW and the New Hampshire AFL-CIO.
Based on the candidates' records, the unions recommended support for Senate candidate Paul Hodes, District One Congressional candidate Carol Shea-Porter and District Two Congressional candidate Ann McLane Kuster.
"We don't want our members to get distracted by all of the political noise," said Don Trementozzi, president of Local 1400. "No matter what political party you are associated with, there is a clear difference between the candidates on important pocketbook issues that are the priority for working class families."
"After our members learn the facts, we hope they will vote with their economic self-interest in mind," Trementozzi added.
The response from the union's membership appeared to be very enthusiastic. More than 60 members have joined the local's political action program since union leaders visited members in Vermont on Oct. 18 and New Hampshire yesterday.
CWA Local 1400 unites more than 200 members and their families who live in New Hampshire. Local 1400 members work for FairPoint Communications, Verizon and AT&T mobility.
Rand Wilson
Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO
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October 19, 2010
Temp call center workers win permanent jobs at FairPoint
CWA Local 1400 unites FairPoint employees who work in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Local 1400 also represents workers at Verizon and AT&T throughout New England.
Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO
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October 18, 2010
Press Release
For more info contact: Ralph Montefusco (802) 598-5613 or Rand Wilson (617) 803-0799
CWA Local 1400 Members endorse
Peter Shumlin for Vermont Governor
Burlington - CWA Local 1400's Political Action Team announced that after carefully considering both candidates, it will support Peter Shumlin for election as governor of Vermont.
"In tough economic times like these, it's important to examine the candidates' records to make sure they share the priorities of working families," said Don Trementozzi, president of Local 1400. "With support from CWA District One, we carefully researched both candidates on the issues affecting our jobs and the telecom industry. Without a doubt, Peter Shumlin is the best candidate to lead Vermont."
"Throughout his career in the legislature, Peter Shumlin has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us on telecom policy and employment issues," added O'Day. "He will be a powerful advocate of broadband for all Vermonters and he will make sure that the federal and state tax dollars used to build the network will be well spent."
Rand Wilson
Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO
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October 4, 2010
BI-ANNUAL
CWA LOCAL 1400
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010
TIME: 12pm - 2pm
WHERE: IBEW-UA HALL
3 GREGORY DRIVE, S BURLINGTON, VT 05403


We Urge ALL Members to Attend!
___________________________________________________________________
October 2, 2010
"One Nation" Rally, Washington, DC: 10/2/10
___________________________________________________________________
September 3, 2010
One of (2) Melissa Morin scholarship winners: Jennifer Aubin with her mother Danielle. Jennifer is attending Castleton State College, Castleton, VT. Her mother is a 15 year service rep in the CSSC. Mike O'Day, V.P., District 6 - Vermont, presented Jennifer with the scholarship award.
Second of (2) winners: Daniel Griffin. His mother, Patricia Griffin, has been with Verizon for 23 years and currently is in the Taunton, CSSC. Gregg Irving, VP District 3-SE Massachusetts, presented Patricia with the scholarship award.
___________________________________________________________________
September 2, 2010
"One Nation" Do Not Miss this Historical Day in Washington, DC on October 2nd!
There will be buses leaving Friday evening (10/1) and arriving back home Sunday Morning (10/3).
Contact us at the Local office if you have any questions.
PLEASE RSVP TO: (603) 436-4388 OR EMAIL CLOCAL1400@AOL.COM
___________________________________________________________________
August 5, 2010


International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Communications Workers of America
Press Release
For immediate release
August 5, 2010
For more info contact: Rand Wilson (617) 929-6000
Telecom workers begin year-long campaign for good jobs and reliable services at Verizon
Boston-Hundreds of telephone workers united in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) rallied for good jobs on Thursday, August 5 at Verizon's New England headquarters.
"A year before our contracts expire, we're sending a message to Verizon's top management that we'll fight for the preservation of good jobs, quality health care and secure pension benefits in negotiations next year," said Myles Calvey, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2222 and chair of the New England telephone workers' bargaining committee. The current agreement with Verizon expires on August 6, 2011.
"Some very profitable companies are using the recession as an excuse to demand givebacks and concessions from their employees," added Calvey. "We want to make it clear to management that union members aren't going to fall for that nonsense at Verizon."
Other speakers at the rally included Lt. Gov. Tim Murray; Congressman Stephen F. Lynch; Rep. Marty Walsh; Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Bob Haynes; Rich Rogers, Executive Sec-Treas, Greater Boston Labor Council; Ed Fitzpatrick, President, IBEW Local 2222; Don Trementozzi, President, CWA Local 1400; John Laughlin, Painters D.C. 35; Peter Derouen, UFCW Local 791; Ed Kelly, President, Boston Firefighters Local 718; Bill McGowan, Business Manager, IBEW Local 2323; Ed Starr, Business Manager, IBEW Local 2321; Dave Keating, Business Manager, IBEW Local 2325; and John Rowley, Business Manager, IBEW Local 2324.
Verizon's second quarter finances showed $9.8 billion in cash flow from operations, up nearly 30 percent from 2009. The $108 billion company had $5.5 billion in free cash flow, up nearly 77 percent from the second quarter in 2009.
Verizon had significant job cuts in 2010. There are now 24,500 fewer employees than one year ago -- and it spent $2.3 billion in the second quarter dealing with union negotiated buyouts to avoid layoffs. "We protected our members during unprecedented job cuts," said Calvey. "But I expect that job security will continue to be a major issue in next year's contract talks."
The workforce reductions, buyouts and layoffs in recent years stem largely from landline losses, but also from Verizon's massive shift away from rural America. Despite strong union opposition, Verizon has sold off its landlines in Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and most recently in 14 other states, substantially reducing union membership.
Meanwhile, the company has focused its investments in the largely unregulated -- and as yet mostly nonunion wireless side of its business.
"Verizon's top management has built an artificial wall separating wireless and other business operations from wireline," said Don Trementozzi, President of CWA Local 1400. "Management is using this wall to block members from the high growth, high profit segments of the company."
"We are gearing up to fight for enhanced organizing rights for Verizon Wireless workers and to help them unite for wages and working conditions comparable to ours," added Trementozzi. "If we don't, Verizon will continue to use its 'divide and conquer' tactics to undermine our contracts." Local 1400 represents hundreds of Verizon workers at call centers throughout Massachusetts.
Both unions have been educating members and building support for enhanced organizing rights for Verizon Wireless employees. Members at IBEW Local 2222 and delegates to the recent CWA national convention have passed resolutions in support of the campaign.
Because customer and community support is so critical to winning good contracts, telecom workers have been building support in anticipation of the 2011 contract.
Members at both unions very actively supported striking workers at Shaw's Methuen warehouse. "I'll be there to support the telephone workers," said UFCW Local 791 member Laurie Comeau-Hunter Mahoney. "We can never repay IBEW and CWA enough for all that they have done for Shaw's workers."
Pictures from the rally may be viewed on the Picasa photo sharing website at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/AYearAndADayVerizonContractCampaignRally
About 8,000 Verizon workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are united in the IBEW and CWA.
___________________________________________________________________
August 5, 2010
___________________________________________________________________
July 27, 2010
CWA Local 1400 President, Don Trementozzi, presenting "Tear Down the Wall" (Verizon Wireless) resolution at the 72nd CWA Convention in Washington, DC on July 27, 2010. Resolution PASSED!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOvnsHg-3p4
(Resolution 72A-10-11
Tear Down the Wall at Verizon
New technologies have led to the rapid growth of wireless telephone and data applications, while wireline telephone service is rapidly declining.
Verizon's top management has built an artificial wall separating wireless and other business operations from wireline, and management is using this wall to block representation in the high growth, high profit segments of the company.
Ten years ago, 70 percent of Verizon employees were represented by a union; today it is less than 30 percent.
Verizon's management has aggressively interfered with the freedom of workers in Verizon Wireless (and other subsidiaries and divisions) to unite with unionized Verizon workers in the CWA and IBEW.
In contrast, CWA has negotiated a card check and neutrality agreement with AT&T, Verizon's major competitor, and as a result, 40,000 AT&T Mobility workers have organized into our Union and are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Resolved: It must be a top priority to tear down the artificial wall that separates non-union Verizon wireless from the mostly union wireline side of the business. Organizing for this fight is preferable now while our unions are still a strong force within the company.
Resolved: Every CWA local must make it a priority to engage and educate Verizon members and Verizon wireless employees regarding the critical importance of building worker-to-worker unity to achieve collective bargaining to gain a strong voice for the good jobs that our communities need.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
July 24 - 28, 2010
CWA National Convention, Washington, DC
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
July 24, 2010
Appeals Committee, CWA National Convention, Washington, DC
(Don Trementozzi)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
June 18, 2010
** Special Thanks to all the Members and Friends who came to support our Kickoff Party!
50% of the Profits were donated to the Egan-Wood Family!
(Pictures are on the "In The Spotlight" page)
CWA UNITY COMMITTEE
Proudly Presents:

Party Like A Rock Star Fundraiser!
Date: Friday, June 18, 2010
Time: 7pm-1am (DJ & Cash Bar)
Location: Lawrence Elk’s Ballroom
652 Andover St, Lawrence, MA
Theme: "Party Like a Rock Star!"
Admission: $10.00 per person
Entertainment by DJ Sean O'Toole:
http://themusicexplosiondjseano.webs.com/
Silent Auction & Prize Raffle Donations by:
CWA Local 1400 Members, Stewards, Friends
Daddy's Junky Music, Legal Sea Food, 99 Restaraunt, Fireside Restaraunt, Amoskeag Airport Service and MORE!
(2) $50 door prizes
50/50 Raffle
Dress like your favorite Rock Star!
Prize for best dressed!
Plus many other exciting activities!
Partial Proceeds to benefit the Egan-Wood Family
___________________________________________________________________
June 4, 2010
IBEW Local 2222 membership joins CWA Local 1400 and adopts a "Tear Down the Wall" Resolution to expand organizing rights at Verizon
06/04/2010 - 1:00pm
Boston -- Hundreds of telecom workers voted unanimously at IBEW Local 2222's regular membership meeting on Wednesday, June 2 to support a grassroots campaign to make "tearing down the artificial wall separating the non-union Verizon wireless from the mostly union wireline side of the business" a top priority in negotiations for their next contract in 2011.
The resolution was advanced on the floor of the membership meeting by two leaders of the local's new "Futures Committee," which was established to develop new leadership at Local 2222 and within the larger labor movement.
"This is about all of our future as employees of Verizon," Pat Atwell told members. "Verizon is rapidly moving into the high growth, high profit areas of the telecommunications industry. But as they do so, top management is intent on leaving us – the union workers who built this company – behind.
"We can't let that happen," he continued. "Not if we want a future in this company for us, our children and our communities." Atwell, a Verizon splice service technician, works out of the company's Woburn garage.
Chris Morgan, another Verizon technician from South Boston, seconded the resolution. "Five years ago union membership at Verizon was about 70 percent of the company. Today we are less than 30 percent. Nothing is more important than reaching out to Verizon Wireless employees regarding the benefits of collective bargaining. We need to educate them and build unity in our company to achieve a strong voice for the good jobs that our communities need."
A similar resolution was also adopted by CWA Local 1400 at its May executive board meeting in Portsmouth, NH.
Local union leaders hope that the "Tear Down the Wall" resolution will spread to other telecom locals in both the IBEW and the CWA.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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May 21, 2010
A MARCH FOR JUSTICE @ SHAW’S
MONDAY, MAY 24TH @ NOON
ON SHATTUCK ROAD
(PHOTOS FROM 5-24-10 ARE ON THE 'IN THE SPOTLIGHT!' PAGE)
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May 7, 2010
Business, Pages 29 on 05/07/2010
Copyright © 2010, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc
Center for Strategic Research, AFL-CIO
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April 29, 2010
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April 24, 2010
CWA/Verizon - California -Bargaining Bulletin: Tentative Agreement Reached 4-24-10
BARGAINING BULLETIN #54
The Union and the Company bargaining committees have reached a tentative agreement today. Brief highlights of the Core agreement are:
*Wage increases of 2.75% for each of the 3 years.
*Sales Incentive Compensation Plan remains voluntary! 7A wage schedule increased.
*New MOA on Contractors, requiring the Company to report the contracting of “bargaining unit work” on a monthly basis.
*Verizon Business and Video Hub work moved into the Core agreement.
*No employee medical contributions.
*New Medical PPO plan effective Jan 2011 for all employees.
Brief highlights of Regional Wire Service agreement are:
*Additional holidays
*Wage increases of 2.75% for each of the 3 years
More details to follow!
Many “Thanks” to all of the members who actively participated in the bargaining process through your support and mobilization.
In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee
Lisa Shafer, David Goodwin, Mike Frost, Ellen West, Ed Venegas, Gregg Gibson
__________________________________________________________________
April 18, 2010
Thank you to all who attended the Bi-Annual CWA Local 1400 Membership Meeting.
We had 70 Members in attendance !




________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
April 29, 2010

This is a link to a YouTube video of our organizing efforts in Maine for T-Mobile last week. Tim Dubnau is our CWA District 1 Organizer (recording the video). Local 1400 Organizer Sheila McGillicuddy can be heard in the background! Great job everyone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEBgvCMCPYc
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
April 6, 2010

CWA Takes on Verizon Over FMLA Abuses
CWA has filed a
lawsuit charging
Verizon
Communications
with denying
workers the
rights and
protections of
the Family and
Medical Leave
Act. The class
action lawsuit
covers Verizon
workers in
Districts 1, 2
and 13. (Local
1400 is District
1)
CWA and
individual
workers have
laid out
extensive
complaints
against Verizon.
“Verizon has
created a number
of arbitrary
administrative
procedures that
it requires
workers to
follow if they
want to be
certified for
FMLA, but these
procedures are
not a part of
the FMLA law.
They shouldn’t
be used to deny
workers their
rightful FMLA
benefits, but
that’s exactly
what Verizon is
doing,” said CWA
General Counsel
Mary O’Melveny.
FMLA provides
workers at
companies with
50 or more
employees with
up to 12 weeks
of unpaid leave
per year for the
birth or
adoption of a
child; care of a
spouse, parent
or a child under
18 for a serious
health
condition; care
of a child over
18 with mental
or physical
disabilities,
and an
employee’s own
illness.
Verizon’s
policies are a
real Catch-22:
If a worker
followed verbal
instructions
from the
company’s
absence
reporting
center, and
those
instructions
were wrong,
though the
worker didn’t
know it, the
claim is denied.
If a worker
couldn’t file
the full report
on time, because
her doctor was
on vacation or
unavailable, the
claim is denied.
If another
physician in the
same office
completed the
report, but
didn’t spell out
the relationship
between the two
medical
providers, the
claim is denied.
If information
was missing from
the claim, for
example, the
doctor’s office
didn’t complete
an item, the
claim is denied.
If a supervisor
makes an error
in reporting a
workers’ claim,
it’s denied.
At Verizon, as
far as FMLA is
concerned, once
a claim is
denied twice, a
worker loses her
FMLA rights.
*************************************** 2009: ****************************************
___________________________________________________________________
Local 1400
Verizon Members,
Verizon has
announced
another surplus
in our Local and
many other
locals in New
York and New
England. CWA
National and
Local Leaders
don't agree that
we have a
surplus. Our
work is being
moved around the
country and
vendors are
doing our work
in violation of
our contract.
Verizon has laid
off CWA members
in NY and IBEW
members in NE,
in violation of
our contracts.
Make no mistake
Verizon is
declaring war on
us and we will
be fighting
back! CWA
National Union
Dist-1 is
coordinating an
all out attack.
We have filed
National Labor
Relation Board
charges and law
suits and
grievances. We
need volunteers
to help leaflet
Verizon Wireless
customers and
other planned
actions. Please
call the local
union office
603-436-4388 or
email at
clocal1400@aol.com
to volunteer.
Thank you for
your support.
Don Trementozzi
CWA Local 1400
President
___________________________________________________________________
A Day in the Life of a Telephone Man Click the video to play it
Requiem For A Heavyweight, Telephone Labor Division
Twenty years ago this December, the large Dorchester, Massachusetts,
clan of Jerry "Judgie" Leary was, like many other telephone
worker families in the Northeast, not exactly flush with cash for Christmas
presents.
Jerry and 60,000 other members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW) and the Communications Workers (CWA) had just spent four
grueling, impoverishing months on the picket line battling NYNEX, the
regional telecom giant now known as Verizon.
Memories of that strike include first-time-ever visits to food banks,
the loss of job-based medical benefits because NYNEX cut them off, and
the dismissal, suspension, or arrest of hundreds of union activists
in New York and New England. In Westchester County, New York, a CWA
picket captain with several young children was hit by a car driven by
a scab and died of brain injuries; in New Hampshire, an IBEW striker
was killed in an industrial accident while trying to do an unfamiliar
factory job to feed his family...
Read the full article here
___________________________________________________________________
Hell No! Zero Givebacks!
Yesterday and today over 700 members showed up for a joint IBEW / CWA meeting in Bangor and Portland Maine. The message to FairPoint members is we did not cause this problem. The overwhelming 2.5 billion dollar debt and organizational chaos is the reason. The members response to the $30 million annual concessions is "Hell no! Tell them "0" givebacks. We have given and continue to give them our blood, sweat and tears!"

The U.S. Senate
is threatening
to pass a health
care reform plan
that would
tax our health
care benefi ts!
This plan would
force Verizon to
cut benefi ts
and shift costs
to workers and
retirees to
avoid this tax.
Average ANNUAL
TAX on Verizon
East Health
Plans:
$5,500 for
workers with
families
$2,000 for
single workers
$3,200 for early
retirees with
families
$ 500 for single
early retirees
President Obama
promised health
care reform that
lets us keep our
health care
benefi ts. CWA
supports that
plan, and the
Senate should
too.
There’s a better
way. All
employers should
cover their
workers and the
wealthy
should pay their
fair share too.
Call your
Senators today!
1-888-580-0792
Tell them:
Taxing health
benefits is not
health care
reform
Verizon is trying to save money by not sending the books describing the benefit plans that they are offering this year. EVERY MEMBER should be calling to request these books due to the plan changes!!! 1-877-489-2367 Verizon Benefit Center
We filed a Board Charge on the changes the Company made to the HMOs and the Company’s refusing to bargain the new plan (National EPO NYNE). We will continue to pursue these legal options. The company has decided to move forward and there will be many HMO plans that will be terminated. Those members must decide on a new plan during this enrollment period.
If your members want to review their benefit information, such as the Health Plan Comparisons Charts, they can review them and print them at www.verizon.com/benefits or you can contact the Verizon Benefits Center at 1-877-4VzBens (1-877-489-2367). Representatives are available between 8 AM and 6 PM.
You can request a copy of your 2010 available options by calling the Verizon Benefits Center from October 19 - November 16th
Your members do not need to do anything unless they:
-
Want to make changes for 2010
-
Have a change to covered dependent
-
Need to certify who is a full time student
-
Want to enroll in a Health Care or Dependent Care Spending Account
-
Need to update their spousal surcharge eligibility.
As described on page 7 of the enrollment brochure, members who have not made a benefits change within the last 12 months will be able to change benefit coverage between November 1st and December 1st for the new coverage to be effective January 1 2010.
Again, if your current plan is available in 2010 and you want to keep your current plan, you do not need to do anything. If your current plan has been terminated, you will be defaulted to the EPO unless you enroll in one of the other options available.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to call
Unions: Fairpoint requests are unfair. Concessions topic of talks
When FairPoint purchased Verizon's landline network in northern New England last year, opposition from the two unions - Communications Workers of America Local 1400 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2320 - played a major role in earning FairPoint about $350 million in savings on the deal.
"To come back to the people that
really helped you get a much sweeter deal and say, 'We need
concessions now,' I think that's unfair," said Glenn
Brackett, business manager of the IBEW chapter.
Click here for the full
article
FairPoint workers cool to bid for cuts
Union leaders are unhappy with a FairPoint Communications Inc. request for concessions as the company struggles to avoid bankruptcy.
"Nickel and diming the unions is
not a way to get the company back on track," said Don
Trementozzi, president of Communications Workers of America
(CWA) Local 1400.
Click here for the full
article
DoL Review Complete: Team Trementozzi Vindicated
Dear Members,
For those of you that are unaware, in September of 2008 there
was an anonymous call to the Department of Labor making
accusations of financial misuse or otherwise of the local's
funds. Since September 2008 the local's records from 2003-2008
have been in the possession and under extensive investigation by
the Department of Labor.
We are pleased to announce that the local's records were
returned to us Friday, October 2, 2009. For the years in
question (2003,
2004, and 2005) the Department of Labor has exonerated the
previous Trementozzi administration of any wrongdoing. The
agents for the Department of Labor advised that even though the
records were in their possession, they did not do an
investigation on years 2006, 2007 or 2008 since the September
2008 caller's accusations were about years 2003-2005.
Boston union workers rally over layoffs
Hundreds of angry union workers marched through downtown Boston yesterday to protest recent layoffs at the Hyatt Hotel and planned cutbacks at other firms including Verizon.
Saying they won’t tolerate a
“jobless recovery,” union members rallied first on Boston Common
near the State House, then marched to the Verizon building in
Post Office Square - and then they ducked backed into the
Downtown Crossing area to the Hyatt, which recently fired dozens
of non-union housekeepers in favor of lower-paid subcontracted
employees.
Click here for the full
article.

CWA Local 1400 Members -- informational picketing at Andover
CSSC "Honor Our Contract"
Vermont AT&T wireless phone store workers unite in CWA Local 1400
After a
short campaign, eighty-one AT&T Mobility phone store workers in
eleven Vermont stores have formed a new union with CWA Local 1400.
Click here for the full
article.
Click here for a copy of the certification from the American Arbitration Association.

Verizon Attempting to Unilaterally change HMO plans to EPO
I had previously reported that the
company had intended to eliminate most of the HMO’s and they were
going to add a new EPO plan. We notified the company that we do not
believe that they have a right to eliminate these plans and add a
new plan without the union’s agreement. The company has responded
that they have a different view and would not need to obtain the
Union’s agreement or permission. We are now pursuing our legal
options.
We have continued to meet thru the AHRC and the company has taken
some of our suggestions and concerns and adjusted their initial
plans. We now have nine (9) HMO’s that will be offered in 2010. They
are:
808
Capital District Physicians Health
825 Blue Alliance NY
843 Univera Healthcare NY
822
HIP Health Plan of NY
814
Empire BCBS HMO of NY –( now calling it Anthem EPO NY/NE )
847
Aetna INC HMO
838
HealthNet of Connecticut
827
Independent Health of Buffalo
817
United Health Care Passport/Harvard Pilgrim
We maintain that they must bargain with us over the new EPO plan
which they list as an HMO and the Company cannot eliminate HMOs
without actively involving the Union in the process. We are pursuing
our legal options but will continue to discuss with the company
adding additional HMOs.
We will keep you informed.
Dennis G. Trainor
Assistant to the Vice President
CWA District One members show strong support for appointing temporary Senator from Massachusetts

Click here to view the rest of these pictures
Over 50 members from five Massachusetts locals attend statehouse hearing
Boston -- CWA District One members showed strong union support for appointing a temporary interim Senator to fill Sen. Kennedy's seat at the Massachusetts legislature's Joint Committee on Election Laws hearing.
"With the passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy two weeks ago, Massachusetts has only one U.S. senator," said Don Trementozzi, President of CWA Local 1400. "This has left Massachusetts working families with only partial representation during critical fights in the Senate on health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act." CWA Local 1400 members work at Verizon and AT&T.
"We could be just one vote short of the 60 votes we'll need in the Senate to get legislation passed this year," said Lynda Nordyke, President of CWA Local 1302. "It is imperative that we have full representation as soon as possible." CWA Local 1302 members work at Idearc.
The hearing at the Massachusetts State House on House Bill 656 packed Gardner Auditorium. And no group had a larger -- or more visible -- turnout than CWA, whose members filled an entire section of the room with their colorful red t-shirts. Other CWA local unions with members attending the hearing included Local 1300/AEEF, 1301 and 201.
House Bill 656 would not impact the special election scheduled for January 19, 2010, but it would allow Massachusetts to have full Senate representation in the interim period.
"Every day, U.S. Senators cast critical votes on issues essential to the people of Massachusetts," said Paul Bouchard, a CWA District One Representative and former Lucent Technologies employee. "There are lots of important issues coming up. All the other states have two senators for the next six months. We should too."
Pictures from the hearing can be viewed here.
Local 1400 Protesting Verizon's new Dress Code

Hi All---long after close of business yesterday the Company sent an email indicating that they were declaring impasse in the Business and Workplace Attire negotiations. Their plan is to impose the Workplace Attire policy immediately with communication with inside employees beginning today and enforcement of the guidelines beginning Monday, August 24, 2009.
On the Business Attire Policy the will establish accounts with the Company's vendor for the affected employees, but have not yet stated a time line for ordering the Verizon branded shirts.
CWA legal will file a board charge today over this implementation. We do not believe that we are at impasse and Legal will make our position known in the board charge process. As more information becomes available it will be sent out.
As always, if you have questions, please call. Lisa
Elisa Riordan, Area Director
CWA
80 Pine Street
New York, New York
You are invited to view CWA District 1's photo album:
2009 - CWA Convention
|
2009 - CWA Convention
Washington DC -
Jun 21, 2009
by CWA District 1 |
Thousands of CWA members descend upon Washington, DC in support of the Employee Free Choice Act & health care reform.

Click here for the full newsletter & pictures
US Vice President Joe Biden thanks the CWA for our support
Check out lots of other videos from
the convention in Washington, DC here
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