45K Verizon Workers Strike After Labor Talks Fail
- Posted on August 7, 2011 at 3:53pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Forty-five thousand Verizon Communications Inc. workers from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., went on strike Sunday after negotiations fizzled over a new labor contract for more than a fifth of the company’s work force. WIVB-TV News 4 covers the strike of Verizon workers in Northwest New York:
Verizon is the nation’s largest wireless carrier, but the contract that expired at midnight Saturday covers workers in the company’s wireline division, which includes local-phone operations, services for businesses and governments and long-haul wholesale traffic. The strike is the first walk-out that Verizon has faced since 2000, when about 80,000 workers went on strike for about three weeks.
Talks in Philadelphia and New York stalled Saturday night after Verizon continued to demand more than 100 concessions from workers regarding health care, pensions and work rules, said the Communications Workers of America.
Mark C. Reed, Verizon’s executive vice president of human resources, called the outcome of the unions’ actions “regrettable” for customers and employees.
“We will continue to do our part to reach a new contract that reflects today’s economic realities in our wireline business and addresses the needs of all parties,” he said in a statement.
Workers covered by the expired contract include 10,000 represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who serve as telephone and repair technicians, customer service representatives, operators and more. Contract negotiations began June 22.
“Even at the 11th hour, as contracts were set to expire, Verizon continued to seek to strip away 50 years of collective bargaining gains for middle-class workers and their families,” CWA said in a statement Sunday.
New York-based Verizon has 196,000 workers; 135,000 are non-union.
The CWA said the concessions are unjustified and harsh, given that Verizon is highly profitable — the company’s revenue rose 2.8 percent to $27.5 billion in the second quarter. Its growth was largely attributed to its wireless business.
But Verizon said its wireline business has been in decline for more than a decade, and that it is asking for changes in the contract to strengthen the unit. The company said union employees contribute nothing to their health care premiums.
Verizon activated a contingency plan to ensure customers experienced “limited disruption in service” for the length of the strike.
“Tens of thousands of Verizon managers and other personnel have been trained to step in and perform emergency work assignments,” Verizon spokesman Rich Young said.
A customer satisfaction survey released in May showed Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. ranked highest among the Big 4 wireless carriers. The survey polled 8,000 households in the first quarter of this year.
Verizon added 1.26 million wireless subscribers under contract in the April to June period this year, a result that flies in the face of the slowdown in new subscribers across the industry in the last two years. A year ago, Verizon added just 665,000 subscribers under contract.
Verizon ended the last quarter with 106.3 million devices connected to its wireless network. No. 2 and chief rival AT&T is trying to leapfrog Verizon in size by buying No. 4 T-Mobile USA for $39 billion.
Lowell McAdam, the former head of Verizon Wireless, became CEO of Verizon Communications Inc. on Aug. 1, replacing Ivan Seidenberg. Seidenberg, the longtime CEO, remains chairman of the company.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Comments (235)
LadyIzShy
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:33pmheck I will do thier Job hire me AND im am anti union so no worries treat me fairly and I will do the same
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:53pmWas thinking the same frikkin thing!!
Report Post »You morons are on the street complaining about your jobs — when you have a job!!
I’ll take ANYONE of your jobs for say…. $14 an hour? That‘s a little more than I’m making now, so I’d gladly take the raise and work in an A/C office (105 degree here in Texas right now).
Get back to work people. There are still millions without jobs!!
HairOfTheDogSob
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:58pmGo to H_ll Ladyiz..verizon average salary 60,00/ yr boycott now!
Report Post »HairOfTheDogSob
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:02pmTime for a. “VERIZON DOWNGRADE”
Report Post »101
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:06pm.
Need a job? Verizon is now hiring.
http://www.verizon.com/jobs
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:06pmBust the union. Take applications to replace these ingrates.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:33pmMaybe it’s time that company owners quit being so greedy as to put up with unions. Otherwise the company owners are their own problem. If it was me, I’d quit paying those pukes and even shutdown my company.
Report Post »GABOB
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:35pmAmen , could use some extra $$$$ right now.
Report Post »vastrightwinger
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 7:06pmYea. I’ll take there jobs! Screw the unions!
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 7:18pmLoud mouthed jerks in red shirts. Look for the Communist label. Look for the Communist label.
Report Post »cykoaudio
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:11pmdon’t confuse private unions that take private money & public unions-I don’t think verizon union workers get any tax payer money,not 100% sure0but if they don’t get public funds & verizon corp. REALLY IS making big enough profits to pay same salaries/benefits,but using current economic downturn as EXCUSE to cut funds from employees,then I’m sorry,this is one of the very few times I will take unions side-there is a big difference between private sector unions,who only get paid through private services-& work/security of job based on performance– & tax payer funded unions,like gov’t contractors who monopolize an industry like UAW,who benefitted recently from tax payers,but kept complaining & held car makers “hostage”-or better example is here in ny,roadworkers that get public funds & full job security which promotes lazy/slow work & money is spent inefficiently-I would not normally(<10% of the time) take union side,but like everyone,their NOT ALWAYS wrong & sometimes some corp. do get greedy & hold hostage workers..I don't know enough about this case,as all details are not there,but if Verizon is netting same or more profits& can afford to pay same or more to workers(most line workers get more hours/paid on good performance,& do work hard,here in ny anyway,don't just stand around) & workers are just asking for what they had before,then corp.heads are using recession as excuse to cut pay-nobody here thinks corp.heads are incapable of being wrong,do they?thats myopic
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:17pmhttp://www.newnetworks.com/UnderbellyVerizonStrike.htm
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:05pmthis pic shows the 3 dumbest looking people that the Blaze could find
Report Post »101
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:58pm@ cykoaudio
Communications Workers of America “Union”
CWA, the largest telecommunications union in the world, represents over 700,000 men and women in both private and public sectors, including over half a million workers who are building the Information Highway.
CWA members work in telecommunications, broadcasting, cable TV, journalism, publishing, manufacturing, airlines, customer service, government service, health care, education and other fields.
Directly Affiliated with SEIU & the UAW
So don‘t tell me it’s a small private union not effecting our economy!
Report Post »jzs
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:08pmVerizon is doing incredibly well, especially considering the economy. They are a very profitable company. But the rich people who own the company can make even more more money by reducing benefits and rolling back wages for their own employees, average middle class people like you and me.
Let’s suppose you work for Verizon and have for the past 10 years, or even for one year. You know Verrizon is making a nice profit and doing much better than a lot of others in this economy. And they want to make more by cutting your paycheck?
Most everybody here thinks that’s awesome. But if your employeer where doing very well but wanted to do even better for themselves by cutting your paycheck, I wonder where your Republican ideas would go then? We’ve been here as a country folks. I don’t have to ask. I know how people, average people like you and me would feel. And the feeling is not, “Oh, we want the job creators to make more money!” Especially when they aren’t creating any jobs, just cutting them or sending them overseas.
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:59pmAs u can probably see from my avatar, I worked for a large telecom company. I have mixed reactions about this story. I was a field technician so I did not sit in an office. I was under the CWA but I did not care much for then. I originally was working for Bell South telecom and they were a pretty good company to work for. They treated us well and we provided excellent service and quality. Yes we were paid very well but it reflected in the quality of our work and the customers were taken well care of. After the buyout from AT&t, everything went downhill. They’re profits went up while they started laying us off. They treated us harshly always threatening us and using the economic situation as an excuse to cutbthe workforce while those left had to pick up the slack. Customer satisfaction went down the toilet as did our work quality because of increased workload. All the while At&t’s profits still rose. The CWA got beat down with the new contracts but I don’t care about the union. My gripe is they increased their profit margin at the expense of the employees and the customers. Many of us worked hard and took pride in it, and were compensated. Well for it. It takes a certain skill set to be a good telecom tech, $15/hr is crap for that type of work.
Report Post »SovereignSoul
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:11pmWhose idea of fair will set the standard, their‘s or your’s?
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:17pmI forgot another point. This is a private company, not public. Unlike the govt, they do make money and a substantial smunt at that. If they have been able to remain profitable with their previous contracts then I don’t see their dire need to cut so much, other than excessive greed maybe. I didn’t mind when my new contract required me to pay more for my benefits, they were still much cheaper than I paid at previous companies. My pay was bot dropped either, so I was kinda with it. What I disliked was our treatment by management. Unfortunately the unioun created an us against them atmosphere and that was bad. What really pissed me off was getting laid-off. Now many months later I’m still looking for employment and the phone company his still making money hand over fist. Did they really need to layoff thousands and contribute to an already dismal unemployment. Market?
Report Post »Stegall TX
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:22amI was one of 13,000 management employees Vz released in March, 2010. My department was released because our job was redundant … there was another group in Georgia doing the same work for many of the same customers, so they merged our departments. The Telco business is changing, and Vz is trying to make those changes as best it can. The unions want Vz to keep doing business on the same model that was in place 20 years ago.
As far as taking money away from workers, management employees were required to start paying a portion of their health insurance around the time of the merger in 2000. We were also given raises averaging about 2% in each of the next 10 years I worked there (i.e, we lost 2% of our buying power due to inflation every year). Long-term management employees have been making concessions for quite a while. It’s time for the unions to step up to the plate.
As for the company turning a profit … I’ve made a fortune off Vz, both as an employee and as an investor. I stay invested in Vz because of the profits they return to the stock holder. When they turn off the dividend spigot, I’ll probably move to another investment. If enough stockholders do the same, it will hurt the company. That’s why they turn a profit … to stay profitable and solvent.
Report Post »GlennNut
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 2:22amMake appointment with the board of directors; they’ll make time in their schedule for you. Go in and just tell them to treat you fairly and you’ll do the same. Get a clue.
Report Post »Shiroi Raion
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:02amFire them. There are 20 million people willing to take their place.
Report Post »shazam3
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:41amFire every one of them and hire some people that want to work………
Report Post »rightwingheroes
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:02amI’m not in a Union and I work Mon-Saturday, no picketing. This is America, you make your own way. Unions do nothing but hurt and destroy businesses.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:17pmHey, just canceled and went to US cellular and wow what better reception I get here in south Oklahoma. They tried to say I couldn’t cancell but I told them there office is closed so they broke their contract with me. I got out of an AT&T contract once because when I got home the phone wouldn’t pick up. I got a better deal at US cellular also,5 phones – unlimited text and minuits for $180.00 a month. Wow!
Report Post »MHP
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 5:57pmEl Pistoffo
I used to have Alltel till AT&T bought them out. Their piece of crap software wouldn’t install in none of my computers. I was paying $66/month for the service.
Now they want money for service which never even got. And I have no intent to pay them.
I went with Quest and am saving $20/month and I get good service.
AT&T is nothing but crap. Get rid of it.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:33pmSWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW MAYBE I CAN GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
iam going there tomorrow and offer my services to replace one of those striking union members!!!!!!!!!!!
ive been unemployed since last may have sent out over 2000 resume’s and applied to as many places as i could find that would pay enough to live on pa isnt doin much hiring, and the places that are have a line all the way to the mississippi
last time i checked it was 5000+ applicants for every job that payed 20 or better
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:38pmdo it. i would if i needed work…
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:52pmLots of Iraq & Afghanistan veterans already trained in the communications field who will happily fill these jobs &
oh BTW, Obama just offered a tax credit to hire them – perfect fit for these 45,000 jobs.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:38pmRight! Go apply for the jobs of all the idiots who are lucky to have a job in today’s environment. If they are stupid enough to follow the Union lead, they may lose what they have and others who want to work without all the union strings attached can replace them. Idiots for sure. We are not in good enough times for the Unions to demand these overloads from companies just hanging on by fingernails.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:40pmGood for you. Go get ‘em friend.
Report Post »casseopea42
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:12pmthe only way to break a union is to get thier membership to below 50%. That wont happen as long as there are “non-right-to-work-states”.
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:13am@oneshiner
Report Post »thing is some of these companies are not hanging by their fingernails. I’m anti-union but I’m also anti-big business abusive greed. Niether extreme is healthy.
Brizz
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:52pm@EL PISTOFFO
Report Post »It is true that VZ and other carriers are using the economy as a way to threaten their employees, union and non-union.
For all of you that think that any job is good.
Do you support prostitution as well? Many companies ethics and integrity have gone out the window, so it is hard to see the difference between them and a pimp.
Not a fan of unions, but oppressive employers need to be put in there place. The effects trickle down to the consumer whether they realize it or not.
mikenleeds
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:25pmfire all of those over paid union thugs and hire Americans that actually wants to work
Report Post »101
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:32pmThere are 45,000 unemployed Americans willing to fill those jobs (non-union)
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:37pmwhy the hell does verizon have a UNION anyway?!
SERIOUSLY FOLKS, NO CORPORATION TODAY IS SENDING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO THEIR DEATH FOR 1$ PER DAY.
END UNIONS NOW. They have won everything they have fought for.. they are no longer needed. we now have LAWS and REGULATIONS thanks to them… why do we still need them?!
DO YOU STILL NEED DIAPERS AFTER YOU LEARN TO USE THE TOILET?!!??!?!??!?!?!??! WTF IS GOING ON?!
Report Post »SDBorn
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:55pmJB.KIBS. agreed. I think Verizon probably acquired the union when they bought out another company along the way because there are many more Verizon employees that are not union and have left their families and their regular jobs to fill in for the striking employees. I hope the union is busted; the original intent was good, but they’ve outlived their usefulness and now are just thugs.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:12pm@ 101:
My thoughts exactly! It’s high time that the union leadership and the rank and file realize that rhe gravy train is over. There is no money to appease the outrageous demands of these union goons. Verizon cannot just raise rates to pay these exhorbitant demands.
I know that there are 45,000 Americans who are unemployed and would be glad to work for what these greedy union members are now getting or for even less.
Unions are the death of America. Many are controlled by people who used tactics of intimidation to force workers to join. They are the nearest thing we have in this country to the methodology used by Lenin and Stalin.
Verizon workers, GO BACK TO WORK, and be thankful that you even have a job at all.
Report Post »casseopea42
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:13pmthe only way to break a union is to get thier membership to below 50%. That wont happen as long as there are “non-right-to-work-states”.
Report Post »JohnnyGalt
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:24pmhttp://footofatlas.blogspot.com/
Report Post »Danang1972
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:21pmScrew them – let em get in the unemployment line, but remember you only get 99 weeks!
Report Post »Glenn is my hero
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:19pmEXTREMELY URGENT!!! This will make you crap your pants! I believe Malcom X is Obama’s dad and Malcom was a muslim and started a WORLD WIDE movement for social justice & said we have friends in Asia, Latin America, Africa (Middle East), radical muslims, radical blacks are ALL going to fight against us. Putin even said “America is a paraste on the world economy.” Here‘s a pic and tell me he don’t look like Malcom! If you believe me, spread the word FAST!!!http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/smith/malcolmx.htm
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:47pmTalmadge Hayer, a Nation of Islam member also known as Thomas Hagan, was arrested on the scene.[166] Eyewitnesses identified two more suspects, Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson, also members of the Nation. All three were charged.[167] At first Hayer denied involvement, but during the trial he confessed to having fired shots at Malcolm X. He testified that Butler and Johnson were not present and were not involved in the assassination, but he declined to name the men who had joined him in the shooting.[168] All three men were convicted.[169]
Butler, now known as Muhammad Abdul Aziz, was paroled in 1985. He became the head of the Nation of Islam’s Harlem mosque in 1998. He continues to maintain his innocence.[170] Johnson, who changed his name to Khalil Islam, was released from prison in 1987. During his time in prison, he rejected the teachings of the Nation of Islam and converted to Sunni Islam. He maintained his innocence until his death in August 2009.[171][172] Hayer, now known as Mujahid Halim,[173] was paroled in 2010.[174]
They will kill themselves.
Report Post »Cat
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:16pmBy next Friday it may not matter, there won’t be a dollar to pay them.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:15pmLAN lines! All these people are for the “wireline” business side of Verizon! Most everything is wireless or VoIP these days. LAN lines, we don’t need no stinking LAN lines! Fire them all. Sounds like Verizon is bloated with too many employees.
Report Post »Furious American
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:42pmI think you mean “land” lines not LAN lines. LAN = large area network and “land” lines are actually physical lines that connect to a phone.
Report Post »Stegall TX
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:30amLAN = local area network … i.e., a small group of computers interconnected together to share services and information.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:14pmThis will piss off Hugo Chavez.
Report Post »Living In NYC
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:14pmLet them walk…there are over 15 million Americans out of work who need work.
Break the union before the union breaks Verizon…my service stinks on my Verizon company phone… that’s why I always carry my personal phone and only give my customers that number..guess what it is an ATT phone!
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:17amFunny. AT&T voted worst telecom company buy consumer reports. Also one oc the 5 worst companies to work for. Trust me, I know.
Report Post »Stegall TX
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:34amAll I can say about AT&T is that last week, we had a fire in the neighborhood that took out our telecom lines. It was off from sometime before 7 pm and back up just after 8 am the next morning. The crew that did the repair told me they were contractors, and they did not have the AT&T logo on their equipment. Considering the work that had to be done, I was pleased with the fact that they chose to work all night to restore service and they notified me before 10 pm that they might be coming through my yard overnight (they did … it’s weird to wake up at 2 am and see someone walking into your back yard).
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:45amIt’s strange, I have worked for various large companies in the past and they were all pretty good. I never worked under a union till Bellsouth and it was decent. Once At&t took over, CRAP. I do believe both the union and company have fermented a hostility towards each other and the employees and customers have suffered as a result.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:14pmI’m torn on this one….
Report Post »If I worked for a company that had the ability to fire me because I made too much money and they could replace me with a less expensive worker…. i’d be pretty angry.
However – I also disagree with unions that think they can promote one candidate over the other with MY union dues – JUST so they can get perks not available to the private worker with an equal job.
Sounds pretty socialist of me – doesn’t it?
I think this is one of those areas where I would vote for “equality” between the classes….. hmmm
I will leave it to the more educated to figure this one out.
101
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:49pmThe Unions have built a company within a company, Verizon has the right to fire a “subcontractor” Union organization that is charging too much for their services…the Unions contract is up, time to hire people that are willing to work for Verizon and cut the fat (union)!
Report Post »bry
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:00pmI am one of the VZ workers that went on strike today. I am a hard worker and have perfect attendence. The Union has done much for workers in the past, for that I am grateful, That aside, it is time for a reality check. Although we are a private union, not paid by the publics tax dollars, it is time to make some concessions. I believe we need to do that to stay competitive. We can NOT value ourselves out of a job. I think the union made a huge mistake by calling a strike. The company is not our enemy, we should work in partnership with them.
Report Post »Stop protecting the workers who do not pull their weight, they drag us all down. It is time to be reasonable and negotiate in good faith. I just hope this comes to a fair and realisitic end. I really like my job and know I have been lucky to have it.
SDBorn
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:05pmBry, did you get a vote in the strike or was that decision only made by the union honchos?
Report Post »bry
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:12pmI voted NO…and so did others I work with. I have been getting calls all morning from like minded workers who are really mad that they called a strike. There are many young people there. I hate to point fingers, but I just think they don’t get it. It would never occur to them that just maybe Obamacare played a huge part in this. VZ wants us to pay…which is very fair in my book. They also want to give merit raises…which I completely support. They are asking for many, many concessions, but to think we should not give back anything is foolish.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:24pmBRY
I need a job ………………………. are they hiring :)
you sound like a decent guy………….for your sake i hope it wont be your job im going to get when i apply tomorrow
Report Post »bry
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:42pm@pyschosis
First, I am not a guy LOL! I am of the female persuasion. I have a bad feeling they might be hiring, I am very concered about keeping my job after this.
Report Post »For those of you updating your resumes, forget it. Verizon does not use them, they give you a test. It is about 2 hours long. I took mine in a hotel banquet room with 200 other hopefuls, when the test was over there were 5 of us left. If you want to get a job with VZ, skip the resume and brush up on dividing and multiplying fractions ;).
Psychosis
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:54pmbry
my bad :)
and math is easy and for that matter , so are tests :) looks like im getting a job woooooohoooooooooo
Report Post »bry
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:58pmThe test is not just math, it’s more like the SATs. I am sure you will do fine, but the test was not that easy for 195 people I took it with that did not pass.
Report Post »cykoaudio
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:27pmthis is the most intelligent thread on this issue so far…you HAVE to be torn..I’m beginning to wonder about some ppl on the Blaze that do the same things that they reprimand,rightfully so,libs/dems for doing…you can’t just hear a story about unions-especially if you never worked in one,or know about the difference between private/public unions- & immediately take the corp. heads side & immediately,like conservative version of pavlovian response(I’m hurt to think there would be one) go on blog & waste your time shouting down unions,when a lot of ppl who work in them are like y’all,& sometimes disagree w/their leadership-lets get this straight-THERE IS A PLACE for private unioins,who would otherwise get paid 15$/hr for a job that the company can afford to pay 20$ for..thats NOT being greedy,thats common sense..if Verizon heads,who do little except make some average decisions moving paper,make 70$/hr,& profit margin is huge,& money is made PRIVATELY,no tax $,why should workers make 5$-20$ LESS than they deserve,when if you knew about SOME private unions,workers work their A$$ off,the company can MORE than afford it,& the money would just go into a fatcats golf club registration fees-note:I am & have proven through actions,not talk to be as conservative as any1 else out there-but lets see ALL the details before we start accusing unions of wrong doing,their not ALL bad & ALWAYS wrong-& occasionally corp heads ARE WRONG,hate to break it to you
Report Post »cykoaudio
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:48pmfor those that jump on the union hater bandwagon(which I do most of the time) w/o even reading /knowing the details of the story-lets look at it from a purely dogmatic viewpoint-I don’t hate on rich ppl or small business owners for making lots of money & paying their employees what they see fit,I don’t agree w/Walmart being forced to unionize,I don’t agree w/card check(or whatever that bill was called),but if you take a big company like Verizon who takes no tax dollars,take only private funds,& their employees decide getting paid minimum wage(hypothetical extreme to show point) is not fair for the type of work/skill involved,sure you could say,well go work somewhere else then,but if company made contract w/union,not forced by gov’t,& that allowed some citizens to make a living/decent wage,say 30$/hr(barely enough to live in ny) & support a family & it ended up spreading the profits fairly amongst all Verizon wrkers,,then it would be un-american to make unions illegal..see the point,its just as reasonable to allow unions to exist as it is to not force them on private companies like Walmart..& as long unions arent’ linked w/pol’s,& rely on hard work to make profit,then they both win,& it would be just as “fascist” for a company to pay ten ppl at the top 5$mil/yr & 10kservicemen 10$/hr as it would be for gov’t to force company to unionize/union kicked back to pol’s-if ALL corp.heads were moral men,we wouldn’t need unions,but they’re not,& sometimes we do
Report Post »101
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:08pm@cykoaudio
It’s your Union mentality that is driving up cost in the private & government sector, organized crime to force a company to pay more, move or close their doors. If you’re incompetent to do your job get promoted and/or pay increases on merit then you should be kicking gravel down the road, not using contractual agreements that treat the slouch the same as a model employees or holding a company hostage for more money/benefits.
If you don’t like where you work go find another job and quit complaining
Report Post »casseopea42
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:20pmI worked for VZ for 10 years. I was one of those who went on strike in 2000. Then it was about VZ hiring contractors to replace us. I know the higher ups were greedy then, I don’t know if they are being greedy now. The union had its place. To protect workers against an employer who didnt care about the individual and would replace you if they didnt like you. I wish the unions had stayed that way and didnt turn into a political machine.
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:24am@bry, u made good points and I pretty much aggree with ur views both on union and company.
When I was applying, I also had to take an exam on electrical knowledge. The job does require work on electrical wiring. Well that’s if ur going to be an field tech.
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:29am@casseopa42
true, the unions once had the purpose of preventing employer abuses but it’s just like u said, they have become a political machine and care no more about the union members asdoes the employers. It’s become a power struggle. Both are greedy and don’t give a crap for anything except the bottom line
Report Post »ProgressivesAreEvil
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:16pmVerizon demands:
Raises (inflation and bargained) will be tied to yearly evaluations.
Reduce overtime pay
The call centers employees would be changed to a commission based wage schedule.
Eliminate pension accruals. For current employees pension will be frozen as of December 31, 2011 and after that, there will be no more pension plan.
Remove the Pension Cash-Out option.
Remove the current health care, prescription, dental, and vision plans and offer plans with high deductibles and contributions.
Eliminate accident disability benefits.
Cut in half the sickness disability benefits.
Reduce sick time pay to 5 days per year for those members with 20 or more years, 4 days for those with 15 – 20 years, 3 days for those with 7- 15 years, 2 days for those with 2 – 7 years and 0 days for those with less than 2 years.
Reduce Paid Holidays to seven.
Eliminate the Job Security Provisions for all employees.
Remove the ban on forced transfers beyond 35 miles
Eliminate New Contracting Initiatives agreement – which would allow them to increase the level of contracting.
The Union has not asked for any increase in benefits or pay beyond what was agreed to in the previous contract and has said they are willing to bargain. Verizon is refusing to discuss anything listed above.
Report Post »intothelight
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:12pmDamn Unions. They cause so much unnecessary trouble in the world. Get rid of them.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:11pmUnions are now the enemy of the American worker………….period.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:47pmthey have been since the mafia got involved in them. ask the teamsters…
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:08pm“We will continue to do our part to reach a new contract that reflects today’s economic realities ….”. “You’re asking me to pay medical benefits, but you’re not giving me a decent raise,” said Anita Long, a central office technician.
Ummm…who’s wages are being raised “in todays economic realities” Mr Union rep and Ms Long? Nice red t-shirts though….
Report Post »DragonflyJune
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:06pmI need a job
Report Post »Living In NYC
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:33pmDragonfly…so true; since Barry and his fools have been in office…I am on my third job! Two companies went under due to the economy and new banking practices…one being part of building products industry and the other advertising.
I thank god each day “I get to go to work”, I make 1/3 of what I made in 2009! I used to be a Vice President of Business Development..now starting all over in sales in a start up company! Lot’s of sweat…maybe the pay will come…gota hope!
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:40amYou need a job, apply as a Prem Tech at AT&T. They are replacing the union guys with these Prem techs at half the pay and double the work. I have spoken to many of these techs and they are miserable. Most quit or get fired after 6 months. Its a revolving door. As long as u don’t have a problem working till from 8 am till 10 or 11 Pm, 6 or 7 days a week and never seeing your family, then you might be ok. You wont have a personal life.
Report Post »Kansas Mom
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:05pmFire them all…hire grateful workers.
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:05pmGet back to work!!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:04pmAnd the terible service that you get from Verizon will stay the same, terible.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:06pmBy service I mean tech support.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:10pmYa, and union workers want more…….as if Verizon isn’t a big enough rip off already, to pay for spoiled union workers!!……………..
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:48pmwho’s going to pay for it in the end? THE CONSUMER, with HIGHER PRICES.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:04pmI hate Verizon and I hate unions!!……that’s all I have to say…………………….
Report Post »SDBorn
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:17pmNot all of Verizon is union. 45,000 Verizon employees on the east coast are the union workers on strike. Other Verizon employees who are not union all across the nation and who have to contribute to their health benefits are stepping in to cover for those workers going on strike.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:54pmI hate the east coast too!
Too much hatred for a Sunday…………….
Report Post »cykoaudio
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:01pmif you are truly rational,and this is kind of directed at everyone here who heres half a story & assumes the unions are wrong-I’m not pro union,but know that some private unions are better than would occur for workers if they didn’t unionize-why is everyone NOT directing their anger at the corp.heads of verizon?..if conservatism means ALWAYS sticking your(usually poor) neck out for corp heads & not defending ppl w/families making barely enough to make ends meet,then that is not conservatism,its nuts..even G.Beck has said & knows not ALL unions are bad,especially private unions that take no tax $…I fear conservatives are following some pavlovian response to issues they don’t have all the facts on..sure most unions in this country have caused a problem for their respective companies& the state/local economy,but not ALL,& to just assume that every story about a union=evil union workers,then they’re as close minded as the libs they vilify for being..don’t be like libs & just shout down issue w/o knowing who is really to blame,-how come not 1 person has said “maybe the corps heads,if they are making MORE profits than years past,are the ones who should give a little on this one”..is it okay for conservatives that corp heads keep upping their salary in recession,but when lower-mid class union worker wants just to keep his pay where it is,automatically the union worker is greedy & they should all be fired-ludicrous
Report Post »JohnFLob
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:56pmre cykoaudio Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:01pm
I have never been a unionized worker so I’ll admit I have no first hand knowledge of the intimate details of their internal manipulations of information of policy formulations. However, having spent 50+ years working for a living in several industries and several states from coast to coast I have yet to see/experience any truly positive effects of union activity(ies). Perhaps the most damning feature of union members has been their willingness to inflict damage and harm to persons and their private property. This is especially galling when I am required to report for work but my place of employment is under siege by a union’s personnel.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:21pm@cykoaudio
“…..sticking your(usually poor) neck out for corp heads & not defending ppl w/families making barely enough to make ends meet…..”
I’m not sticking my neck out for “corp heads”, and I really don’t think these union members are, “barely making ends meet”……Do you?
I merely stated my feelings about Verizon, (who are blatant rip-offs). And unions that are ruining the economy and therefore, the country and effects me. I have no desire to ever see the east coast because of too many cities and too many progressives and I want to live the rest of my life in the Rocky Mountians. (personal preference)
Your post makes some sense, here and there. But has nothing to do with my feelings about Verizon, unions, or the east coast…..Although, hatred is somewhat irrational. In this case, it is merely a figure of speech……….But feel free to use me as a soap box if you want to……I don’t care……………….
Report Post »El Pistoffo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:53amCYKOAUDIO said
“is it okay for conservatives that corp heads keep upping their salary in recession,but when lower-mid class union worker wants just to keep his pay where it is,automatically the union worker is greedy & they should all be fired-ludicrous”
That’s a good point. The big shots say they need to cut to remain competitive. Sure, it’s easy to cut money as long as its not yours. Sound familiar? Lead by example, not do as I say and not as I do. They cut other salaries while raising their own exponentially.
Report Post »NEAF
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:03pmI don’t longer care. I just switched to another company. They must be grateful for having a job, but no.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 5:58pmNow you tell me. Wish you would have said something 2 weeks ago when I got 4 phones from Verizon. I left Ca. 7 years ago and NO Verizon stores in Mo. Now they are everywhere and I get 4-5 bars on my phones where I had to walk around my house to get just 1. Had to get Cingular when I got here. Things change fast. Can’t keep up.
Report Post »Zer0
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:03pmVerizon, fire them ALL, then replace them 50,000-60,000 non-Union affiliated workers. There sure are enough in the unemployment ranks that would be more than happy to replace the leeches.
STRIKEBREAKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!!!!
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:02pmWe should all send resumes to Verizon right now, even if happily employed elsewhere. Let them know they don’t need the union thugs.
Report Post »DragonflyJune
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:01pmWow, I need a job.
Report Post »mattmo79
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:01pmBreak the union, there are plenty of people looking for work that are willing to replace them.
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:27pmI’m with you on that. In todays economy you don’t ask for more. They should be happy to be employed. My job went to china, thanks to obama and Imelt. Where do I apply for these jobs these ingrates don’t want.
Report Post »SDBorn
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:50pmExactly right! Other Verizon employees who are non-union have to pay for their health benefits. There are plenty of unemployed tech workers who would love to have the jobs of the ungrateful 45,000 union workers.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 3:55pm45,000 jobs just opened up!!
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:04pmStupid! You CWA workers are on strike in this economy, really? You had secure jobs and now you are going to damage the company that feeds you. What now, you will expect a handout from your buddy Barry Soetoro?
Report Post »HD Veteran
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:10pmShould be fired.
Socialist mentality.
Verizon should close the zipper that feeds them.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:42pmYep…I hope Verizon replaces all of them. Starve flying that Union flag! hahahaha
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