IBEW 2222 News

Contract Voting Continues

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:20:12 -0400

2008 Contract Ratification MeetingThe ratification voting for our contract with Verizon began on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 during a special meeting, where Business Manager Myles Calvey explained the agreement. Thank You to all the members and retirees who took the time and made the effort to attend.

Voting will continue during regular business hours at the Local 2222 offices, 1137 Washington St, Dorchester (Lower Mills) until the close of business Friday, August 29, 2008. If you need to vote during the evening please call 617-929-6000 to confirm the office will be open.

For directions to the Local 2222 offices Please Click Here

Stand United With Our Avaya Brothers & Sisters

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:21:01 -0400

UNITY

AVAYA

The CWA, IBEW and Avaya met recently to explore the possibility of extending the current collective bargaining agreement. The parties had agreed prior, they would only discuss wages, pensions and Job Security. However, after two days of meetings, it was apparent that Avaya was not going to live up to their agreement. They proposed having our retirees begin paying for their healthcare during the life of the extension at an estimated $165 per month. In addition Avaya made the healthcare proposal a condition of any extension.

As a result of the retrogressive bargaining, the unions rejected the company’s proposals. The current contract expires May 23, 2009 covering approximately 2300 active employees and thousands of retirees.

Based on what Avaya attempted, its’ clear where they want to head in the next round of bargaining. It’s important that our members and retirees understand the challenges before us. CWA and IBEW will begin monthly mobilization activities as we head toward the May deadline.

Additional Meetings Planned to Discuss Contract

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:46:06 -0400

There will be a special meeting on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at Local the 2222 offices beginning at 8:30 AM. This will give the members who work evenings an opportunity to have the contract explained in detail.

Also, Business Manager Myles Calvey will be at 185 Franklin St, Boston in the Basement Auditorium on Thursday, August 21, 2008 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM to explain the contract and answer any questions.

Please make an effort to attend one of the meetings. Thank You

Rally Against Union Busters - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:28:08 -0400

Rally Against Union Busters - Wednesday, August 20, 2008 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM at The Sheraton Commander Hotel, 16 Garden St, Cambridge, MA

On Wednesday, August 20th, an anti-union consulting firm will hold a seminar at the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge to instruct local employers on how to keep their workplace union-free. Please join us in telling them that union-busting won't be tolerated and help us call on Congress and our next President to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, which will restore workers' freedom to join unions and bargain collectively for better wages and benefits free of employer harassment. Polls have shown that over 60 million Americans would join a union if given a fair opportunity to do so. The Employee Free Choice Act would give them a fair and free chance to obtain union representation on the job.

A message to all IBEW members at Verizon from Myles Calvey

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:29:18 -0400

A great new contract, but there's still much more to do!

Myles CalveyVerizon workers won a great new contract. There's no mystery about the negotiation process. It was achieved because of the unity and involvement of the membership. Everyone should be very proud.

But we can't sit back and relax. We have lots of work to do to make sure that Verizon honors this agreement and starts respecting members for their hard work and dedication. To achieve this goal, it's essential that members are well informed about their rights and united. Work closely with your steward and business agent and stay vigilant on the job.

At the local level, we will be holding quarterly meetings with top management to try to resolve problems faster. Make sure that your steward and business agent are well informed about what is going on so that these meetings can be productive. IBEW and CWA will also be holding meetings with top Verizon management three times a year to discuss jobs, sub-contracting, and company issues.

Personally, the most important feature of our new agreement is that more of the jobs of the future in FiOS and VZB at Verizon will have the good pay, benefits, and job rights that come with a union contract.

Agreement in Principle Reached with Verizon

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:16:31 -0400

After many months of bargaining with Verizon Communications, our united bargaining committees have reached an agreement in principle with management pending document review.

Throughout this process, we focused on ensuring our place in the work of the future. Our critical goals also included health care for active and retired workers, retirement security and a fair wage increase.

The involvement and mobilization of tens of thousands of our members made a huge difference in these negotiations. Together, all of us together showed our strength, our commitment and our determination to get the best possible agreement.

We’re proud to have represented the 65,000 union members at Verizon in these negotiations.

Please CLICK HERE for contract summary.

Bargaining Update - August 8, 2008

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:00:10 -0400

The IBEW/CWA Unified Bargaining Committees have set a bargaining deadline for completing contract negotiations with Verizon. That deadline is Monday, August 11, 2008 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.

The strike date will be set by the two union presidents in consultation with the bargaining committees.

Negotiations are continuing at this time. Among the critical issues: permanent, quality jobs at Verizon and other job issues, health care and retirement security, a fair wage settlement and others.

Bargaining Update - August 7, 2008 - 2:30 PM

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:37:41 -0400

IBEW/CWA Verizon Bargaining Report

The Bargaining Committee has been fighting for a good contract. As of this date we continue to fight.

We have a responsibility to ensure hat the information that you receive from the Union is correct.

BEING RIGHT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING FIRST

Rumors and reports are everywhere, and as we get closer, the frequency will increase.

We realize that the Membership is anxious, but our job is to remain focused on the task at hand.

When and if we reach a tentative agreement, that information shall be released to the membership.

Bargaining Update - August 7, 2008

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:01:54 -0400

IBEW/CWA Verizon Bargaining Report

Bargaining continued until 10:30 p.m. last evening. We continue making progress on complex issues. Teams have reconvened this morning.

We will report any updates as they become available.

Bargaining Update - August 6, 2008

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:42:55 -0400

IBEW/CWA Verizon Bargaining Report

Yesterday, the parties continued marathon bargaining throughout the day, ending at 11 p.m. last night. Today, negotiations have resumed.

Is progress being made? Yes. Is it slow going? Also yes. Do we have a plan for success? You bet.

We have presented Verizon with a unified and united front and strong position on all our critical issues. Now, we're working through some of the most difficult issues in the areas of jobs and employment security for members at our company. Our strength in bargaining has been reinforced by the highly visible – and widely reported to the company – mobilization that continues. Verizon hasn't come around yet, but we're pressing the company on all our critical issues, especially when it comes to jobs.

This bargaining involves serious issues – health care, retirement security, and especially jobs. These negotiations are all about ensuring that our members will be full participants in the future of this company and in this industry, not walled off and excluded from the jobs and future that we have made possible.

There are more than 60 people involved in the bargaining process from our two unions. In addition to the elected bargaining committees, there are experts on health care, pensions, economics, communications and legal issues. Needless to say, the company has many, many more people on its side.

Verizon's rapid shift from copper to fiber – and beyond in the future – makes it clear that we must negotiate a contract that secures the jobs of the future and opportunities for our members, addresses subcontracting, expands bargaining rights for workers and provides for employment security.

We will not be bypassed by the company that we built and helped make so successful. If our efforts to secure a fair agreement that provides for jobs today and for the future are not fully successful at the bargaining table now, we will secure it on the picket line when necessary. There’s no doubt about that. Our goal is to win on these issues and we will.