COUNTDOWN TO EXPIRATION OF THE

VERIZON AND VCSI CONTRACTS

11:59pm - August 2, 2008
 

 

 

STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE SCHEDULED

As required by the CWA Constitution, CWA Local 2108 has been directed to conduct a Strike Authorization Vote for our members in good standing who are employed by Verizon Connected Solutions, Inc. (VCSI) and Verizon.  The vote will take place over two days, but each member can only vote once.

Tuesday, July 8
2pm - 8pm
10782 Rhode Island Ave
Beltsville, MD

Wednesday, July 9*
7am - 8pm
10782 Rhode Island Ave
Beltsville, MD

It is important to know that a “YES” strike vote does not necessarily mean that a strike will be called.  A “YES” strike vote gives the CWA Executive Board the authority to call a strike should they determine it necessary.  We need an overwhelmingly positive strike vote to send a strong message to Verizon and VCSI that we are serious about our demands at the bargaining table. Please bring identification with you when you vote.

* Please note that Wednesday, July 9th at 6 pm is our last regularly-scheduled membership meeting prior to the August 2nd contract expirations.  If you attend that meeting, you will have the opportunity to cast your Strike Authorization Vote and hear the latest bargaining updates!

It's that time again. It comes around every three to five years or so. That's right ...
CONTRACT TIME!
The rumors will be hot and heavy out there. Everyone will claim to know someone who is their cousins uncles sister who knows exactly what's going on in bargaining and they just can't wait to tell you about it. It usually begins with something like ...
"You can't tell anybody but I heard ..."
Don't listen to it. Stay informed the right way. Call the Local office. Talk to your Steward or check the Local 2108 website. That's where you'll find the most up-to-date information on what's happening in bargaining.
Everything else is just rumor.

CWA Bargaining Update for Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Verizon Core Agreement

The Unions and the Company did not meet face to face today.  The CWA and IBEW Unions met in caucus and each bargaining unit spent the day reviewing their respective proposed contract language changes.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow.

Verizon has decided you make too much money. Your benefit package costs them too much and you should start paying more to keep what you have today. The Company is demanding cost shifting in healthcare for active employees and retirees, elimination of the pension cash out option, elimination of the Cost of Living Allowance, elimination of the Corporate Profit Sharing and other reductions in wages and benefits.

They are completely ignoring the needs of our members for Job Security and the jobs of the future. We have seen a steady stream of our work going over to Verizon Business. We have continually been denied access to the jobs in Verizon Business and Verizon Wireless. This cannot continue. We need to send a message to Ivan and friends that we will not go down without a fight.

If given the opportunity, they will do to us what they did to their management team three years ago. We have fought too long and too hard to let that happen. We do not enter bargaining looking to go out on strike. We only want what's fair. If Ivan and his cronies can make the millions they make each year, it's only right that we get our fair share. If we have to strike to get it, that's what we'll do.

A strike authorization vote for both VCSI and the Verizon Core members is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8th and Wednesday, July 9th. The vote will be held at the Local office in Beltsville.

The hours to vote on Tuesday will be from 2:00pm until 8:00pm. The hours on Wednesday will be from 7:00am until 8:00pm. Wednesday, July 9th will also be our last membership meeting prior to the contract expiration on August 2nd. The Membership Meeting begins at 6:00pm at the Local office. Please plan to attend to hear the latest information about bargaining and to cast your strike ballot.

We need to send Verizon the message loud and clear that we support our bargaining committee with a strong strike vote.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Stay strong – Stay Informed – Stay United – Stay Mobilized

CWA Bargaining Update for Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Verizon Connected Solutions Agreement

The VCSI Bargaining team did not meet with the Company today. The talks remained recessed subject to call. The Company needs to recognize that our members in VCSI are doing essentially the same work as their conterparts in Verizon Core for less pay. This injustice can not be allowed to stand. Our fight is not with our brothers and sisters working on the Core side. Our fight is with Verizon. Our fight is to get Verizon to bring our wages and benefits up to what they are on the Core side for performing the same work or simply move us into the Core agreement.

We will only get there together. Whether you work for Verizon Core or VCSI, we are all Union. We are all CWA. Together, fighting for one another, we cannot fail.

A strike authorization vote for both VCSI and the Verizon Core members is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8th and Wednesday, July 9th. The vote will be held at the Local office in Beltsville.

The hours to vote on Tuesday will be from 2:00pm until 8:00pm. The hours on Wednesday will be from 7:00am until 8:00pm. Wednesday, July 9th will also be our last membership meeting prior to the contract expiration on August 2nd. The Membership Meeting begins at 6:00pm at the Local office. Please plan to attend to hear the latest information about bargaining and to cast your strike ballot.

We need to send Verizon the message loud and clear that we support our bargaining committee with a strong strike vote.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Stay strong – Stay Informed – Stay United – Stay Mobilized


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