IBEW and CWA union leaders have been at the bargaining table with top Verizon managers since May 27. We've talked about all the major issues concerning our jobs at Verizon. 

Thanks to the determination of so many members who've shown support for our negotiating team, we've made some progress.  But Verizon still hasn't got the message about the importance of reaching a new agreement that meets the needs of all its employees.

That's why when both unions recessed from negotiations last week, the bargaining committees decided to ask the membership for your authorization to call a strike.  "Strike authorization" is only given when a majority of the membership agrees by a secret ballot vote.

Giving your negotiating committee the power to call a strike makes our voice stronger with management.  The vote is another way to show Verizon management that the membership is united for a good contract that rewards our service to the company and its customers.

Authorizing the committee to call a strike is a signal of our readiness.  It sends a message to management that our demands are backed up by the main source of leverage that we as employees have: to withdraw our labor.

A strike won't be called unless all other means fail.  It is our last resort.  But as everyone knows, we have never backed down from doing whatever is necessary to ensure that members have a contract that provides good jobs for our children and grandchildren and for the communities we live in.

That means wage increases that will keep up with inflation and reward our high productivity.  It means improved job security by ensuring that all new work is covered under the union contract.  It means maintaining the good health care and pension benefits that earlier generations fought for and won.  And it means that we step up and protect our retirees from soaring health care costs.

Each local union will be conducting a strike authorization vote between now and July 16.  Local 2222 will kick off our vote at 5:00 PM prior to the start of our regular monthly union meeting on July 2 at 7:00 PM. We will continue to accept ballots at the union hall until July 16, 2008.  Listen to the union tape or check the Local 2222 website (http://www.ibew2222.org/ [1])

It's imperative that all members participate in the vote.  The larger the vote, the stronger voice you will have when we resume bargaining with management.

Now is the time to show Verizon that we are united for the good jobs our families and communities need. Show Verizon that you want to keep this company a union company.  Vote "yes" to give your negotiating committee a strong voice with management!