CWA/Verizon Reach Agreement

CWA District 2 has reached agreement with Verizon regarding an enhanced offer to all CWA members in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.  Previously, Verizon had reported as a Good Friday message that talks with the Union had been unsuccessful and further indicated they did not foresee negotiating any future enhancements.  Discussions resumed and an agreement was finally reached as a result of CWA’s persistence.  CWA demanded Vz provide expanded employment security to post ’03 employees, the removal of contract workers and that the enhanced offer be made to all members not just those declared surplus.

The agreement contains a one time enhancement to the Voluntary Termination Bonus of $40,000. for a total VTB of $50,000, raises the caps on EISP payments from 30 years to 40 years, accelerates the effective date of the October pension band increases of 3.75%, waives aged-based pension reductions for certain early retirements, and provides for a protected interest rate for converting the single life annuity to a lump sum amount.

The agreement also stipulates, if 12,000 employees from the entire footprint accept the EISP, no employee hired after August 2, 2003 will be laid off prior to May 1, 2011.  Regardless of reaching the 12,000 employee threshold no Consultant, Fiber Customer Service Analyst or Fiber Network Technician will be laid off prior to May 1, 2011.

In addition, by July 1, 2010, union employees, not contractors, will place copper cable inside conduit, place and transfer aerial copper cable, strand and poles provided the work can be performed with existing vehicles and equipment.  This work does not include work required by government entities.  The company will eliminate contractors performing maintenance administrator EVRC work in the company by July 1, 2010.  The company will not increase the number of contractors who perform bargaining unit work during the period of June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011.