We now have a downloadable copy of the new 2008-2011 contract! 

Verizon is responsible for printing the contracts and locals are just starting to receive them (August 2010).

Click on the link below to view/print the new 2008-2011 Verizon Contract:

2008 Contract-CWA1400

_______________________________________________________________________________________

November 1, 2011

 

2012 Open Enrollment - Verizon Benefits

 

By now members (both active and retired) have received notification from Verizon Benefits regarding the 2012 Annual Enrollment Information.

 

The Company advised us last week that since we are still in the process of negotiating a new labor agreement, the current plans will remain unchanged with the exception of the mental health parity, which is being implemented effective 1/1/2012 in compliance with the federal Mental health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (“MHPAEA”).

 

MHPAEA is a federal law that establishes requirements to make insurance coverage of mental health conditions and substance use disorders comparable to coverage of other medical conditions.

 

The 2012 benefit renewal will run from 11/1/2011 through 11/11/2011 for active members and 11/15/2011 through 12/1/2011 for retired members. Members have been advised of these dates and they can make changes to their benefit plans, covered dependents, change or enroll in the Healthcare or Dependent Care Spending Account or change their current contributions. We still have "Anytime Enrollment" which means that members do not have to do anything at this time if they are satisfied with their benefit plan. Members should take the time during this annual enrollment to check the status of their dependents and to determine if they want to enroll or make changes to the Healthcare or Dependent Care Spending Account.

 

If members want to enroll in a Health Care or Dependent Care Spending Care Account or change their current contributions, they must contact Verizon Benefits at 1-877-4 VZBENS (1-877-489-2367) or go on line at www.verizon.com/benefits.

 

The Company also notified members that they will be conducting a dependent verification in 2012 to ensure that only qualified dependents are provided with coverage. The company will be requiring members to provide documentation to support eligibility for each of your covered dependents.

 

The company has agreed with the Union that they will not be looking back on any of the changes our members make at this time with regards to dependents or the spousal surcharge eligibility. We are encouraging every member to take the time to review their covered dependents to confirm that they continue to meet the qualifications for coverage. Also, they should take the time to update their spousal surcharge eligibility. If members want to change a dependent or drop a dependent or make a change to the spousal surcharge, they must contact Verizon Benefits at 1-877-4 VZBENS (1-877-489-2367) or go on line at www.verizon.com/benefits. We suggest that they do this by calling and talking to someone live to get confirmation of the change.


Below are links for the Health Plan Comparison Charts (HPCC) as well as the information that was sent to members. The company did not provide this information to us until we found out that they were mailing it to our members.

 

Important Reminder to those who do not have

 Internet Access or prefer to Call the Benefit Center

 

If members need any printed materials mailed to their home, they should call the Verizon Benefits Center at 1-877-4VzBens (1-877-489-2367) immediately.

 

2012_HPCCs_NYNE

Enrollment_2012_Communication_(active)

Enrollment_2012_Communication_(retiree)

______________________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

March 29, 2011

Dear Verizon Brothers and Sisters,

Over the past 2 years the CWA and the IBEW have been under attack by Verizon. We all know the issues we are fighting and the working conditions that we are dealing with. We have pending grievances, arbitrations, lawsuits and National Labor Board Charges against Verizon.

Our contract is expiring in just over 4 months from now. In locations nationally, including Local 1400, Verizon has been attacking the membership. Can you imagine what it would be like without having a Union fighting on your behalf?

Nationwide, on April 4th, workers and Unions across the country are uniting together for our basic human rights and human dignity for working men and women. CWA Local 1400 is having mobilizations at each office on April 4th to stand with public workers whose bargaining rights are under attack, with private workers who can't get bargaining rights and against those politicians and their allies who want to silence our political vote.

Throughout Verizon, we are asking ALL TP'd members, Acting and Loans to STEP DOWN on Monday, April 4th (until further notice) and return to the side of your brothers and sisters in this fight to protect our contract, our future and each other.

We are asking ALL MEMBERS to

wear RED on MONDAY APRIL 4TH, 2011!

In Solidarity,
 
Don Trementozzi
President 
CWA Local 1400

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 28, 2011

Do You Think Verizon’s Going in the Right Direction?

Voting your proxy gives you the chance to let Verizon’s Board of Directors know if you think the company’s headed in the right direction.

Use your proxy to send a message to Verizon!

Voting recommendations:


Item 1

Recommendation: AGAINST all directors

Item 2

No recommendation

Item 3

Recommendation: AGAINST

Item 4

Recommendation: FOR Option 1

Items 5-8

Recommendation: FOR

To have the union deliver your proxy to Verizon

  1. Vote your proxy by placing an “X” in the For, Against, or Abstain box for each proposal.
  2. Sign and date the card where indicated.
  3. Bring back the proxy card and the return envelope to your local by April 27th.

CWA members will deliver your proxy to Verizon’s annual meeting in Indianapolis on May 5th, 2011.

Note: You cannot vote online or by phone if you want the union to deliver your proxy. If you receive your proxy by e-mail and want to vote on a paper ballot, call 800-631-2355 and ask to have a copy mailed to you. You’ll need to request it 7-10 days in advance.

CWA will be collecting and delivering voted proxies to the company. CWA is not asking for discretionary authority to vote proxies on behalf of its members. Please make sure you vote and sign your proxy.

Please give your completed proxy to any Union Steward in your office to deliver to Local 1400!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT:


The New York/ New England Regional Work& Family Committee

Effective January 3, 2011!


PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS UPDATE FOR MONTHLY DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT FORMS!


Verizon NY/NE Regional Work & Family
C/O Beverly Steele
Room 200A
120 Hicksville Road
Massapequa, NY 11758
Office #: 516-797-3872

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Verizon has notified the National Union that they intend to use independent contractors to perform all the work associated with the following functions:

  1. Corporate Telecom Services
  2. Cable Locate Work
  3. Coin Collection Work
  4. Fiber Solutions Center Work

We have responded to the Company that their notification to us was a wake up call to our membership. Clearly this notification shows their intent to move all the work to contractors. This was not a simple “six (6) month notification letter” but part of a Strategic Corporate Plan to destroy our bargaining unit. If Verizon believes they can destroy our Union they should know that they may get destroyed in the process.

It is time for every member to send a message to their managers. We have had enough. We are tired of Verizon sending our work to contractors. We are not taking it any more. It’s time to Fight Back!

Beginning April 4, 2011, on the National Day of Action, CWA will join forces with all Unions in this country and form a coalition with many organizations in this country to fight back.

Every member must be ready to Mobilize on April 4, 2011. There will be Mobilization at the worksite during the day and there will be separate events in the evening throughout the country and in your area. We will have more details about both activities next week.

On April 4, 2011 let’s send Verizon and the rest of Corporate America a clear message and tell them exactly what we feel about their notification letter. We are tired of Verizon sending our work to contractors. We have had enough. It’s time to Fight Back!!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 5, 2011

February 24, 2011

Verizon 2010 CPS Award - $794.00

To: All New York, New Jersey and New England Verizon Local Presidents

From: Dennis G. Trainor, Assistant to the Vice President

Date: February 24, 2011

Re: Verizon Corporate Profit Share (CPS) Award for 2010 Plan Year

The Company announced that the CPS award for full time employees is $794.00. The award will be pro-rated for part-time employees and those employees who participated for more than 3 months but less than 12 months in the plan year.

The award will be paid on March 3rd or 4th based on employees' regular payroll distribution schedule.

CC: Hetty Rosenstein

Lisa Riordan

Dave Palmer

Staff Leading Verizon

Dennis G. Trainor
Assistant to the Vice President

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

November 10, 2010

Attention Andover & Taunton CWA Local 1400 Members:

As you all know, the CWA National Union and IBEW agreed to allow the oversubscription of our members as of 10-10-10. Some Members have asked why we would allow this. The answer is not that simple, but the short answer is that we are going into Contract negotiations with Verizon next year and we know that the job security/no layoff provision will be under attack. The Union leadership felt that if we were to allow the oversubscription we would have a better argument defending the job security letter during bargaining.

With 111 less Members, our ability to handle call volumes is our #1 concern. We discussed this with Labor Relations in September. The Company's primary concern is absence rates. Prior to the EIPP being granted, there were 173 Representatives working on Saturdays between Andover & Taunton.  After the EIPP, there are 145 Representatives scheduled on Saturdays. We have discussed how to reduce the impact on the Saturday workforce with the Company. The Company has told us that absence rates have increased, which is more noticeable on Saturdays because of the reduced headcount, and they have no choice but to add more people to Saturdays.  However, the Company just notified us that instead of increasing back up to 173 Representatives, they will increase by 15 Reps, bringing the total Saturday workforce to 160.

We'd like to clarify that schedules are done by seniority, by location, per our Contract.  That explains why there are reps in Taunton working Saturdays with an NCS of 2000 vs. Andover reps with an NCS of 2003.  In the 2000 Contract, a provision was voted on by the Members to have a "large team scheduling trial" for multiple locations by seniority of the combined locations.  After the trial was completed the Members voted (by secret ballot) against continuing with large team scheduling and we went back to scheduling by office locations.

The Union does not want the Company to send our calls to vendors and we have suggesting hiring more workers. Labor Relations has told us they will NOT be hiring for the duration of 2010. However, if the absence rates go down significantly, it is possible the Company will reduce the number of Saturday workers.

We will continue to have conversations with the Company on how to reduce the impact on the Saturday workforce.

Please feel free to contact us with any suggestions you may have.

In Solidarity,

CWA Local 1400

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

November 1, 2010

Annual enrollment for 2011 is from November 1-12, 2010. Please remember that if you made any other changes during 2010 on the individual enrollment process you may not make any changes unless there is a life event or you have been in your plan for at least one year.

The National Labor Relations Board has found in our favor and issued a complaint against Verizon and we are going to trial. We are still attempting to restore the plans that were removed in 2009. There were also five plans that were frozen and scheduled to be removed this year, since the issuing of the complaint Verizon has decided not to do so. The only frozen plan that is being removed is HealthNet. This is only because they are no longer providing health care insurance. If you are in this plan and do not make a selection you will be defaulted to the National EPO (814). Again, we do not agree that this is the proper default plan and will address this issue at trial.

Important changes that may affect you as a result of health care reform:

  • Medical coverage will be extended to adult children up to the age of 26 regardless of student status, provided they are not eligible for coverage through their employer or their spouse's employer, including COBRA.
  • The market reforms do not apply to Dental or Vision coverage and therefore there is no change in dependent eligibility.
  • Lifetime and annual dollar maximums for essential health benefits will be eliminated.
  • Over the counter medications (except insulin) without a prescription are not eligible for reimbursement under the Health Care Spending Account.

Important changes that may affect you as a result of bargained for increases:

Medical plans where Medco is the prescription drug administrator will have changes to mail order prescription drug co-pays for 2011.

  • Single Source mail order co-pay will increase from $20 to $25.
  • Multi Source mail order co-pay will increase from $25 to $30

Life Insurance Changes:

The provider only is changing from Met Life to Prudential.
Coverage is NOT changing - Coverage remains the same with Prudential.

Please be sure to check your benefit coverage. You can make changes to dependents, coverage etc. at verizon.com/benefits or if you prefer to speak to a representative in person and/or would like to recieve printed benefit information please call 1-877-4VZBENS (1-877-489-2367)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

September 24, 2010

Subject: Verizon Settlement Agreement

*****VERIZON HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE UNION OF AN OFF PAYROLL DATE AS OF YET. WE WILL UPDATE YOU AS SOON AS WE HAVE THAT INFORMATION*****

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

To: Verizon Local Presidents

From: Chris Shelton, Vice President

Date: September 24, 2010

Re: Settlement Agreement-Oversubscription and Non Surplus Members

The agreement includes:

*Allowing our members who are in the Oversubscribed and Non-Surplus Category to receive the Enhanced May 2010 EIPP offer and leave the Company.

*Company will announce Special Postings for all vacancies created by these employees leaving the Company with the exception of three titles (Watch Engineer, Special Representative and Construction Coordinator).

*The Special Postings will be offered to the Remaining Surplus employees

*Special Representative title-Company will post twenty-four (24) Special Postings for the Special Representative title

*Construction Coordinator-The Company will train 25 Administrative Assistants to become Construction Coordinators. The agreement identifies the 25 AAs in the Upstate area.

*Company will post 140 SPVs for Field Tech (FT) for the Western, Central, Northeast, and Mid-State Area. There is an attached list of locations with the number of vacancies for each location. Locations and numbers can change but the total number remains 140.

*If the 140 FT openings are not filled internally, the Company will go to the Street. If the Company is having trouble finding candidates to fill these positions by November 20th, they will notify the Union so that we can refer candidates. The Union will continue to refer candidates until all vacancies are filled.

*Any employee who is part of the remaining surplus group who fills one of the 140 FT positions and if a home move is required will receive a relocation allowance of $24,000

*All other employees will fill one of these positions and a home move is required will receive a relocation allowance of $8,000.

*During October 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 VNY and VNE will not discipline any Representative/Service Representative in the CSSC for failing to adhere to the Sales Process Standards.

*Empire City Subway will post 4 SPVs for Plant Inspector in the Bronx and will terminate (4) contracts performing Plant Inspector duties in the Bronx .

*The Union will withdraw all grievances that it filed in connection to the temporary transfers of FT to Upstate that occurred prior to this agreement. In addition, the Union will not file any new grievances relating to any FTs on a temporary transfer from LI to Upstate.

*If the Company should have any FT from Tracey Edward's organization or any other organization involuntarily transferred to Tracey Edward's Upstate organization during the period of November 20, 2010 thru March 31, 2011, the Union may reinstate all grievances.

*In addition, if the company needs to involuntarily transfer (except for an emergency) any FT from Tracey Edward's organization in Long Island or from any other organization to Tracey Edward's organization upstate it will meet with the Union to discuss these transfers.

*We extended the No layoff agreement to all employees to May 1, 2011.

*Any dispute regarding this agreement can be grieved and arbitrated

 

I want to thank everyone for their hard work in getting this agreement

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

September 4, 2010

Verizon’s Dependent Care Reimbursement Fund has been reinstated effected week ending September 4th, 2010. Requests for reimbursement of September’s dependent care expenses must be post marked no later than October 8, 2010.

What's new...Changes?
Effective with September’s re-instatement employee social security numbers are no longer required. Instead all employees are required to indicate their “employee ID” on each monthly request for reimbursement and on any new enrollment applications.

Who has to re-enroll?
Employees who were participants and receiving benefits up until the fund was suspended last May 2010 DO NOT HAVE TO RE-ENROLL...

UNLESS

  1. Employees who changed childcare providers must complete and forward a new application indicating the new childcare information. Employees and providers are required to complete and sign the new enrollment application and a new certification form. Applications must be forwarded to NY/NE Regional Work & Family Committee,

c/o Beverly Steele, Fund Administrator, 240 E. 38th Street, Floor 15, New York, NY 10016 prior to submission of September’s request for reimbursement.

  1. Employees who wish to change the dependent formerly enrolled in the fund to a different dependent must also complete and forward a new application and certification form to the address indicated above in paragraph 1.

 

Employees can visit www.regionalwfrc.com to obtain an enrollment application and monthly reimbursement form. Questions may be directed to Beverly Steele at 646-227-6878 or via e-mail to Beverly.Steele@verizon.com. Union members may also contact their Local Union committee member for information.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

August 20, 2010 - Verizon EIPP Oversubscription Update:

To: Verizon Local Presidents

From: Dennis G. Trainor, Assistant to the Vice President

Date: August 20, 2010

Re: Meetings - 1.Train Wreck 2.Regional Bargaining Committee 3. Local Presidents Meeting

There will be a Responsible Relationship Committee meeting for the Union representatives on that committee on Wednesday August 25, 2010 at 10 AM at 80 Pine Street to discuss the Enhanced EIPP offer with respect to the "oversubscribed" and "non-surplus" volunteers.

The Committee will review the Company's offer and make a recommendation to the Regional Bargaining Committee.

The Regional Bargaining Committee will meet with the Responsible Relationship Committee on Wednesday August 25, 2010 at 1 PM at 80 Pine Street .

There will be Local Presidents Meeting on Thursday August 26, 2010 at 9 AM

CC: Chris Shelton

Lisa Riordan

Dave Palmer

Staff Representatives Leading Verizon

Dennis G. Trainor Assistant to the Vice President

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

July 30, 2010

A Year and A Day; Not so Far Away...

 

Rally for good jobs one year before the Verizon East contract expires

 

On August 6, 2011 our contract with Verizon expires. 

It is vital that all members get involved. 

 

Join:

CWA and IBEW members, Our Elected Officials, Active and Retired Members, Union members from other unions, AFL/CIO officials, Religious Leaders and Community Activists

 

AS WE MARK THE BEGINNING OF A

YEAR LONG MOBILIZATION CAMPAIGN

 

           

August 5, 2010 

6:00pm

Verizon New England headquarters

185 Franklin Street

Boston, MA

 

 For more information contact CWA Local 1400 at (603) 436-4388

 

 

 

 

We need every members support as we fight to ensure that our jobs are secure and our benefits continue to help our families in these tough economic times.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

July 20, 2010

Verizon EIPP Oversubscription Bargaining Update:

CWA and Verizon met again in reference to the oversubscription and non-surplus members wishing to leave payroll with the incentive.

Verizon opened the meeting by asking questions of our proposal for clarification purposes.

We addressed their questions and again went through our proposal that would allow all members to leave. The Company advised us that they would have to bring this back to their higher level management to get an agreement or to give a counter proposal.

The meeting ended with the Company stating they would get in touch with the National Union with a new meeting date.


REMEMBER IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH!!

Don

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

July 2, 2010

CWA Local 1400 (Verizon) Members,

Joint bargaining sessions yesterday and today have been postponed at the Companys request in order to meet with CWA Vice President, District 1, Chris Shelton prior to the committees meeting. New dates are being scheduled.

We will update you as soon as we get any new information.

In Solidarity,,

CWA Local 1400 Executive Board

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

June 23, 2010

CWA Local 1400 Verizon Members,

The Local office & District Vice Presidents have received multiple phone calls today regarding the 4th of July Holiday forced overtime situation. Please know that Denis Sheahan, Verizon Director, did not want to open the Worcester or Springfield CSSCs for the July 4th Holiday at all. The practice of not opening all offices on Holidays began with the previous administration.

Don Trementozzi, and the Executive Board, at the May, 2010 Work/Schedule meeting with Verizon, got Denis to agree to canvass ALL CSSCs for volunteers. There were enough volunteers from the Worcester office (based on office headcount) that a force situation was not necessary. Denis decided not to open the Springfield office, but rather is giving them the option to travel to Worcester to work.

Force has been telling people that Don decided not to open Worcester/Springfield. This is NOT true! Don called Denis today to tell him about this miscommunication & Denis said he would reiterate with Force Managers that it was a COMPANY decision. The Force room denied to Denis they were communicating this information.

IF THE WORCESTER & SPRINGFIELD OFFICES HAD NOT BEEN CANVASSED FOR VOLUNTEERS, (as requested by the Union) TAUNTON AND ANDOVER CSSCs WOULD HAVE HAD MORE PEOPLE FORCED IN TO WORK ON JULY 5TH.

The current administration of the Union believes that ALL CSSCs should be offered the same opportunities for Holiday overtime.

In Solidarity,

CWA Local 1400 Executive Board

_______________________________________________________________________________________

June 11, 2010

CWA Local 1400 Verizon Brothers and Sisters,

On Wednesday, June 9, 2010, Verizon unilaterally changed the way calls are disbursed among Service Representatives in the CSSC's.  The Company advised us in May that they would be implementing a new phone system and skills/performance based call routing, but never gave us the contractual 6 month notification.  The Local has filed grievances and will be filling charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

This system has also been implemented in New York and New Jersey.  The National Union is fighting this technology change.  There was a letter included in our 2008 Contract that is supposed to give Campaign calls to all 1400 members, however, by implementing skills/performance based routing, not all members would be receiving these calls equally. 

Sales objectives are not negotiated by the Union, however, by using skills based routing Verizon says it will change each representative’s sales objectives, depending on what calls are taken.  We feel by fluctuating objectives, some representatives will have more opportunity to make higher commission bonuses.  How can Verizon say this is fair and equitable?  The first (2) days are showing how disparaging this system is.  Representatives in the "capable" queue are getting back-to-back calls, while representatives in the "served" queue are waiting 4 to 9 minutes in between calls!  

We advised Labor Relations "Not only will this affect sales opportunities, but it will also affect morale."  They don't agree.

CWA 1400 MEMBERS, YOU ARE OUR EYES AND EARS.

PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT DIFFERENCES YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SO WE CAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES!

 

In Solidarity,

CWA Local 1400 Executive Board

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

April 23, 2010

CWA 1400 Brothers and Sisters,

 

Your Executive Board would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for sticking together and participating in our mobilization efforts. Because of our Unity CWA has been successful in making the following agreements with Verizon: *There is a no layoff clause through May 1, 2011 in CWA 1400. Employees with a NCS after 2003 will be safe! *Because of our mobilizations we have negotiated some TP positions in the SRC and CSSC to be bargaining unit work that will be rotated. *We are still going over guidelines for the 4 day work week - the Department has agreed to maintain it and not eliminate it. Your CWA Executive Board will be having further discussions with the department regarding the 4DWW, TP and Offline Functions (projects) in May. Because of 1400's solidarity we are going back to "BAU" (Business As Usual). We have had a very successful mobilization because of everyone's participation. We appreciate all the help and support from our members! Thank you to all the TP's that have stepped down! If you choose to take a TP'd position at this point, keep in mind you are not protected by the contract while you are TP'd. Please continue to WEAR RED on Thursdays and wear your "Honor Our Contract" buttons. Continue the Solidarity, we have a big fight ahead of us in 2011!

In Unity,

CWA Local 1400 Executive Board

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

"Informational Picketing in Andover" April 9th, 2010

April 5, 2010

CWA’s response to Verizon’s (Good Friday) Holiday Message

After reading Verizon’s Good Friday message, it would appear that the leadership of CWA and IBEW is just dead set on denying its members Verizon’s generosity.  Can the Union s be so heartless? 

Well, nothing can be further from the truth.  The Unions are willing and even anxious to help reduce Verizon’s so-called “surplus” by financially assisting those who, for whatever reason, wish to leave the payroll.  However, we cannot agree to leave 15% of the work groups out of this special offer.  Nor, can we agree to assist Verizon in its attempt to eliminate such a large number of employees while the Company continues to contract work in violation of our contract. 

Over the past month CWA and IBEW met several times with Verizon to discuss what appears to the Unions as a “headcount reduction scheme”.  In fact, confirming the Unions’ suspicion, Verizon’s spokesperson told the Unions “even if we brought all contracted work back in house, we still need to cut 12,000 employees”. 

CWA and IBEW met with Verizon with the hopes of finding a way to accomplish three things:

1.      Reduce the amount of outside contracting by bringing that work back to the core employees, and thereby reducing the surplus,

2.      Finding a way to safeguard the jobs of those hired after 8/3/03, and

3.      Offering all employees the best opportunity to leave the payroll with an expectation of financial security.

It was the Unions that proposed raising or eliminating the 30-year cap on calculating the IPP/ISP payments (Verizon’s final proposal raised the cap to 40 years) and providing the additional bonus ($40,000) to all employees accepting the IPP/ISP, not just those hired before August 2003 as Verizon’s original proposal called for.

At the final meeting between the Unions and Verizon, the Company representatives sat there empty handed and closed mouth when it came to addressing alternative ways to reduce their (real or inflated) surplus.   When the Unions raised concerns about the potential for increased contracting with a reduced employee base, they were met with silence.  When the Unions raised concerns about increased customer complaints over long intervals for service repairs and installation, we were met with silence.  When the Union raised concerns about offering a “one-time” enhanced voluntary leave package to only 85% of the unionized work groups, they were met with silence.

Verizon claims that its $23 billion investment in FiOS was to “lay the foundation for future success and employment.”  How does eliminating 12,000 jobs translate into future employment?  It is this and similar confusing statements that have left the Unions wondering what is truly going on here.  CWA and IBEW entered these discussions in earnest; trying to find a way to relieve a declared surplus.  The Unions’ proposals were intended to provide financial incentives to employees who wished to leave the payroll, especially more senior employees.  This, we believed, would help secure employment opportunities for less senior employees.  The Unions also proposed ways to insure future job security by eliminating dependence on contract labor.  Verizon was not interested in any work returning to core employees.

The whole-sale elimination of 12,000 jobs, as proposed by Verizon, appears to leave one key element in a prosperous company out of the equation - the customer.  Only by increasing the number of satisfied customers will our jobs truly remain secure today and in the future. 

CWA remains open to improvements in the IPP/ISP and Pension Plan.  But, Verizon must demonstrate its intention to secure future employment for its employees and not just make empty statements about it.

March 26th, 2010

"If there were no TP's, managers would have to do their own work and not put their nose in our work!"

Attention Verizon CWA Local 1400 Brothers & Sisters:

We want to thank all of the members who have stepped down from performing management functions! On Day 1 - ALL of the TP's in the Taunton SRC stepped down! Everyone is, once again, showing our Union brothers and sisters that we are united! **There are still a number of Union members that are refusing to step down.** We are mobilizing and asking ALL TP's in CWA 1400 to return to their bargained for job functions and DO NOT perform ANY management work! Some TP's have asked for a "personal request" to step down - Please note: ANY Union Brother or Sister asking you to step down IS a "personal request!" Help your Union Brothers and Sisters: STAND UNITED - STEP DOWN!

We need everyone's participation to ensure that all the contract violations are righted. These are VERY serious issues that we are fighting for! If you have any questions, please see your Union Representatives or call your Local Officers at the Union Hall.

In Solidarity,

CWA Local 1400 Executive Board

_______________________________________________________________________________________

March 22, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the past year the CWA and the IBEW have been under attack by Verizon. Verizon notified District 1 they want to change the Attendance Control Plan and Safety Plan. Verizon notified District 1 and unilaterally implemented a Dress Code and changes to Medical Plans other than those bargained in 2008. Hundreds of members in New York and New England have been laid off and Verizon has notified the unions of yet another surplus to eliminate another 12,000 union jobs across the country.

In Local 1400 we are still fighting the unilateral changes to long standing practices regarding the SA escalations and Care of Newborn Child policy. We are fighting the implementation of systems and tech changes without notification. Sales and COBC discipline are out of control and completely subjective. Local 1400, as well as the National Unions, have filed grievances, arbitrations, National Labor Board Charges and a lawsuit regarding, what we believe to be, the companies unfair FMLA practices. All of this is not enough for Verizon!

They have not given written notification to District 1 and verbally gave us notice of the closure of the Worcester and Pleasant Street offices as well as the consolidation of Andover Reps to just one floor. This past Thursday Verizon advised us of a decision to change a long standing practice of offering at least 10% of members the four day work week in the CSSC. Currently, 68 of our members (11%) are taking advantage of the schedule. Verizon is unilaterally reducing this number to 25 and then reevaluate whether to remove the option completely in four weeks, just in time for the spring and summer seasons. How can they say there are not enough CSSC reps to cover DU’s for both Saturday and Four Day Work Weeks or give closed time and there are not enough SRC employees to cross train to prepare for the consolidation with the MAC Center ? Yet there is a surplus in EVERY job title in every department?

Next year our contract expires. We didn’t start this war but it’s time we started fighting back! In locations nationally, including Local 1400, Verizon has been attacking the membership! Effective immediately we are asking all TP’s, ACTING and LOANS to STEP DOWN and return to the side of your brothers and sisters in the fight to protect our contract, our future and each other. Remember to wear red on Thursday!

In Solidarity,

Donald Trementozzi

President

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