So you might be one of those people who think the AT&T and T-Mobile merger is a bad thing. Well, when you compare AT&T to Verizon on labor relations there is no contest.

Verizon has fired 40 workers in the Northeast who were part of this summer’s picket lines during the two-week strike by 45,000 Communication Workers of America (CWA) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The company said the fired workers were fired for violating the company’s “code of conduct,” which bans harassment, “threats of violence” and intimidation.

This is why I would never sign up for a Verizon contract so long as they act like this.

Joe Hanley - CWA Member & Verizon Employee

I found this Communications Workers of America website about Verizon that starts with a statement that says “10 years ago Verizon called them heroes now they want to slash their benefits.”

The website  goes on to say -

When the twin towers fell, Verizon workers like Joe Hanley stepped up — rebuilding the phone system in lower Manhattan and restoring the stock exchange just days after September 11th.

Ten years later, as a result of his work at Ground Zero, Joe suffers from numerous health problems. Despite making billions in profits, Verizon is pushing a contract that will eliminate sick days for workers hurt on the job, cut health coverage promised to retirees and force workers like Joe to pay thousands per year in healthcare costs.

Bargaining for a fair contract continues at Verizon, and Joe’s story is a clear illustration of what we are fighting for and why your support is so important.

There’s a petition on the page that the CWA asks you to sign as well. While Verizon’s policies aren’t necessarily aimed just at employees who worked near ground zero, with the contract that Verizon is pushing  they might as well have done just that. The connection that the CWA aims to make is a smart strategy. The truth is that all of Verizon’s workers will suffer financially and health wise  from the contract they want the CWA membership to accept.

This is really silly but I get it, this is just talking points for them now. All I have to say is Fios is still viable! You need people to run those lines. I also hardly think that land lines are going to be gone that quickly.

Letter below -

Thank you for your email to the COO’s office.

Verizon remains committed to working with the unions to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract. Our intent is to secure a new contract that ensures Verizon employees will continue to receive competitive pay and benefit programs, while also providing a fair return to our shareholders. Our wireline business has declined significantly in the last few years and we need a new contract that reflects today’s economic and business realities, as well as the needs of all of our stakeholders.

Our goal is to keep Verizon strong now and in the future for our employees, shareholders and customers.

Peter Thonis
Chief Communications Officer
Verizon

This despite Verizon’s 2011 annualized revenues of $108 billion and net profits of $6 billion. At the same time, Verizon Wireless just paid its parent compny, Vodaphone, a $10 billion dividend. Meanwile, Verizon’s four top executives received $258 mllion over the past four years.

via 45,000 Verizon Workers on Strike | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG.

You can thank governors like Scott Walker and John Kasich for emboldening corporations to now try and gouge unions for everything they can.

It looks like a strike has been avoided.

Verizon Communications Inc. and two unions representing 65,000 workers who had threatened to strike within hours agreed Sunday on a new three-year contract that provides 10.5 percent wage increases and changes in retirement benefits.

Technorati : cwa, ibew, verizon

Well I know there was a deadline coming up, but now I read that things are actually progressing. Could the strike be avoided?

Negotiations are continuing and we’ve made significant progress toward our goal of a settlement that meets our members’ critical goals and issues. We will update you throughout the course of the day and still have some remaining issues to work through.

That was from eleven thirty this morning. In any negotiation both sides are not going to get everything they want. I do hope that the unions are able to get their most important goals and issues addressed in any agreement that comes out of these talks. Outsourcing I’ve heard, is one of those major themes so it will be interesting to see what happens regarding that issue.

Technorati : cwa, ibew, verizon

I was just reading the latest updates over at the CWA website on the negotiations with Verizon when I saw this.

The CWA/IBEW Unified Bargaining Committees have set a bargaining deadline for completing contract negotiations with Verizon. That deadline is Monday, Aug. 11, 12:01 am. At that time, the existing contract that was extended last weekend will expire. Strike action then becomes possible if a fair settlement is not reached.

This Monday, if bargaining doesn’t bare fruit by midnight, they would then set a strike date. I would love to see Verizon feel some pain, but obviously the goal is for the unions to get a fair settlement to prevent a strike.

Update: I’ve seen repetitive visits over the past week from GTE to my blog. Looks like they’re keeping close tabs on this situation.

Technorati : cwa, ibew, verizon

It’s not a strike yet as they are still negotiating form what I hear, but this is a good use of direct action.

Verizon Communications Inc. workers plan to picket and rally in New York and New Jersey before their shifts today to pressure the company to stop outsourcing jobs.

Meanwhile, Verizon continues to negotiate with Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The two unions represent more than 65,000 Verizon workers.

This would be a major strike for the country if it were to happen. It might send a much needed wake up call to America that unions still matter a lot.

Technorati : cwa, ibew, verizon

Today I got this email from someone on a Westchester activist listserv I belong to.

Some of you have heard that Verizon will be going on strike. A friend of mine works for them and said that they will begin tomorrow. Some of the reasons for the strike, other than wages and benefits, is that the company outsources. Have any of you wondered why when we call sometimes for help, they have people from other countries answering? As a matter of fact, yesterday, when I called Sprint, I noticed the woman had an accent and asked where is she working from. She said the Philippines. I don’t know if anyone has done anything about this in the past, but this should be an issue that everyone should be behind. The workers will be striking at the Westchester County Center beginning tomorrow morning through the day. I will try to stop by there this week and maybe bring some snack bars and waters, or something like that.

Sadly, this is going to be an ongoing problem for quite some time. Despite claims otherwise it’s not that simple to adjust to outsourcing when people need their jobs here.

Update: CWA says the that negotiations are ongoing.

Technorati : verizon