Union leadership opted not to call for a strike of Verizon workers on Sunday despite no agreement in contract negotiations.
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Wagner said that after decades of bargaining between CWA and Verizon, “we’ve secured a wage and benefit package that affords them an opportunity to own a home in any community here in Western New York, and they do”. “It’s always been about job security and making sure we keep these jobs local”.
Verizon is calling the union’s proposals “unrealistic and out of touch in today’s workplace”.
Simpson said Verizon made more than $1 billion per month over the last 18 months, and while employees are happy their hard work is paying off, Simspon said employees aren’t getting their fair cut.
In a statement issued yesterday, Verizon chief administrative officer Marc Reed said the company is “disappointed that after six weeks of good faith bargaining and a very strong effort by the company, we have been unable to reach new agreements with the unions”. The unions’ proposals included provisions securing greater employee benefits and job security for its members.
The strike, however, does not kick in automatically when the contract expires at midnight EDT on Saturday and a date has yet to be set, she said.
The unions only incorporate the company’s wireline call center staff and wireline technicians from Massachusetts to Virginia. He added that the company representatives will carry on meeting the union leaders for reaching an agreement.
Verizon said it offered the unions what it said was a “comprehensive initial offer” and that the union counter proposals are not realistic.
Families dressed in Communication Workers of America red waited for word from Verizon that they’ll be going back to work Sunday.
CWA pointed out that 86% of its members-39,000 along the East Coast are affected-have voted to authorize a strike “if necessary”, but it said Saturday night had not been the right time.
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The contracts that expired were for employees who provide landline service and FiOS Internet in nine states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and make up about 3,800 workers in the Philadelphia region alone. “We need to ensure that any dispute between our company and the unions does not impact our customers”.
