Company Declares Surplus of 829 Positions from Across New York

Overview of Surplus in New York
By Verizon

Verizon Wireline and Corporate Staff units on February 24, 2012, declared a surplus of 829 positions in various locations, organizations and job titles across New York.

The surplus was declared as a process change. For the surplus declaration made, there will be no layoffs. The company will extend the Enhanced Income Protection Plan (EIPP) offer to eligible employees.

The surplus is a result of changes in the telecom industry, which are creating increased competition and providing consumers with greater choices for voice, data and video services. Wireless substitution also continues to accelerate.

As these trends continue, Wireline will experience ongoing declines in traditional core services and growth in broadband connections. This will require us to adjust our force accordingly to meet marketplace requirements and competition, meaning we will need to reduce force in some parts of the business while increasing staff in others.

Business units have evaluated current staffing needs in New York and are taking appropriate steps to re-position the work force to meet the demands of the growing broadband marketplace now and in the future, using the EIPP offer as a way to achieve needed reductions voluntarily to position our force for the long term.

Reducing the Surplus

The company has advised the CWA and IBEW Local 2213 that it will follow the steps of the Force Adjustment Plan outlined in the labor contract for reducing a surplus.

The company is hopeful the surplus can be eliminated through the following  voluntary steps:

  • The company will extend the voluntary EIPP offer to all New York associates who are in the affected job titles and locations with a surplus.
  • Once the EIPP process is complete, the company will re-evaluate the status of the surplus, if any remains, and its staffing needs. At that time, if necessary, the company will develop plans for additional adjustments or rebalancing of the work force.

EIPP Offer Timeline

  • March 4 – The 15-day EIPP volunteer period opens.
  • March 18 – EIPP volunteer period closes.
  • April 1 – Off-payroll date for associates approved to leave.

Overview of the Voluntary EIPP Offer

Eligible employees should begin to receive at their homes an EIPP package during the week ending March 3. Eligible employees who wish to leave must officially accept the offer between March 4 and close of business on March 18, as outlined in the package. The off-payroll date will be April 1 for employees who are approved to leave under the EIPP offer.

Under the EIPP, eligible associates who accept the offer and are approved to leave will receive double the standard amount of separation pay they normally would receive for each completed year of net credited service up to and including 30 years. That means the maximum amount of separation pay for an employee in New York is raised to $66,058.00.

For volunteering to leave the company under a surplus declaration, eligible associates, who are approved to leave, will receive a one-time bonus of $10,000 in addition to their severance package. Also, associates, who are not eligible for retiree medical coverage, will receive six months continuation of medical coverage with no premium contributions.  These additional benefits were negotiated in order to encourage voluntary retirements for eliminating surpluses.

Employees will have the option to take their pension in a lump-sum payment.

  • Employees volunteering to leave under the offer will be accepted on a seniority basis. It is possible that some volunteers will not be approved to leave under the offer.

Verizon Surplus EIPP

Verizon declared another surplus. The company will mail out the EIPP ‘Enhanced Income Protection Payment’ offers on 2-24-12 to members in the surplus titles. The off-payroll date is April 1, 2012. The FAA ‘Force Adjustment Area’ and job titles are listed below.

Local 1101 Members are in FAA 1

Refer to the NY plant contract, the FAP is Article 55 on page 137, there also is an FAP letter on page 182. The IPP is Article 42 on page 96, the EIPP is also in Article 42, paragraph 42.08 on page 98.

CPS Award

The Company announced today that the CPS award for full time employees is $700.00. The award was calculated at $677.00 but will be paid at the minimum negotiated amount of $700.00.

The award will be pro-rated for part-time employees and those employees who participated for more than 3 months but less than 12 months in the year plan.

The award will be paid on March 1st or 2nd based on your member’s regular payroll distribution schedule.

Verizon To Outsource Some Work From FiOS Office In DeWitt

By Michelle Breidenbach / The Post-Standard
2-23-2012

Syracuse, N.Y. — Verizon has told workers that it intends to use independent contractors to do some work performed by the Fiber Solution Center in DeWitt.

About 300 people work at the FiOS call center, on Thompson Road. They are members of the Communications Workers Association Local 1123.

The news came in a three-sentence letter from management to the union on Friday. It says that the company intends to hire independent contractors to perform “certain work.”
Read the full story.

Verizon plans to contract out work (CWA letter below).

Hello Everyone,

Last March, the Company notified the union that it was “the Company intent to use independent contractors to perform all of the work associated with the following functions beginning September 15, 2011:

1. Corporate Telecom Services
2. Cable Locate Work
3. Coin Collection Work
4. Fiber Solution Center Work

We have now been notified by the company that effective on or shortly after April 17, 2012, the Company will be “moving forward with its plans to contract out some of the work performed by the Fiber Solutions Center (FSC).” Attached is the letter from the Company notifying the union (“Contracting of Fiber Solutions Center Work”).

We will be responding to this letter in the next few days. I will send the Locals a copy of our response to the company. Last March we responded to this notification by telling the Company that “CWA believes the proposed changes to CWA’s bargaining units are impermissible. Should Verizon attempt to remove said work from our bargaining units, CWA will aggressively fight the proposed changes legally and otherwise.”

The Company also notified the Union with another letter regarding ” New Contracting Initiative- EVRC” where we were informed that “the company’s plans to use independent contractors to perform some of the work that is done by the Customer Service Assistants in the Enhanced Verizon Resolution Center (EVRC) located in New York. Contractors will begin handling this work on or shortly after August 17, 2012.”

We will also be responding to this letter in the next few days and we will send the locals a copy of that response.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Verizon Plans To Use Contractors – posted March 18, 2011.

From 1101 Member Leslie F. Boas

To Web Master:

It seems you are the only one with a backbone.

You’re willing to keep active and retired people informed. Keep up the good work!

I called the Union, Local 1101 and District 1 with a problem concerning Basic Life insurance. They said they would look into it.  It is over two months and still nothing.

I spoke to them about a problem with Basic Life Insurance. That the company took 10% off me and the others that turned 66yrs old. One person was sent a letter claiming 20% off.

In our (book correction) retiree book, pages 9 & 13 of the Survivor Benefits, states that the company will pay 100% till you die unless you retire before August 3, 2008.  I called Benefits and a supervisor (Laura) looked into it and confirmed that 10% will come off each year until I am 70yrs old. When I asked for her supervisor, she would not transfer me and said that I should fill out an appeal.

Please don’t fill out the appeal because it leaves a door open for Verizon to say no and you will loose. Can’t they read?

I spoke to a Congressman’s office and a Senator’s office. It seems it’s political when it comes to Verizon and other corporate companies.

I also wrote to the President of the United States about middle class Americans’ problems, but it seems our so-called political leaders can’t speak for themselves and only their staff answers for them. The only time you hear from them or see them is in an election year.

They have an bill HR1322 that would help all middle class Americans when they retire, whether they are union or non-union (management).

They are taking their sweet time it seems passing this new law because it will help us and not corporate America. They pass laws in 30 days that benefit them and corporate America.

Please write to all government officials and the President and ask them to pass this bill, it would secure your benefits when you retire.

One last thing…the Association of Bell-Tel Retirees represents ALL employees, union and management who are retired. Association of BellTel Retirees Inc.

Please call Benefits and jump on them about the Basic Life Insurance.

They are screwing your families and don’t care as long as they receive their bonuses.

I remain,
Leslie F. Boas

CWA/IBEW Locals, Bargaining and EIPP Updates

CWA 1108 Tape
Call 631-654-1304

2/14/12

COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA LOCAL 1108, PATCHOGUE, NY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 DON DUNN SPEAKING

BARGAINING HAS RESUMED WITH LITTLE TO NO PROGRESS TO REPORT.  WE MUST CONTINUE TO MOBILIZE.  WE HAVE BEEN SEEING AN INCREASE OF MEMBERS AT THE VERIZON STORES AND THIS MUST CONTINUE.  SPREAD THE WORD!  URGE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO GET OUT THERE.

ON BEHALF OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP LAST NIGHT AT THE SMITH HAVEN MALL AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO LONG ISLAND JOBS WITH JUSTICE WHO CAME UP WITH THE IDEA.

THE LAYOFF ARBITRATION CASE HAS RESTED.  THERE HAS BEEN NO DATE PICKED YET TO HAVE THE ATTORNEYS FILE THEIR BRIEFS.  WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION.

THE COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED THERE WILL BE AN IPP OFFER COMING.  WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR DETAILS.  RIGHT NOW WE BELIEVE THE OFF PAYROLL DATE WILL BE MARCH 31ST.  WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION.

LOCAL 1108’S GOLF OUTING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 AT ROCK HILL COUNTRY CLUB.  ANYONE INTERESTED IN PLAYING SHOULD CALL THE LOCAL (631) 654-1108.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR RED ON THURSDAYS, WORK SAFE, BE ON THE JOB, DO YOUR OWN JOB, AND DO A UNION QUALITY JOB.  THANK-YOU FOR CALLING.

IBEW Local 2322
Friday, February 17th 2012

Bargaining Update

The IBEW and CWA met with the company this week for regional bargaining in Rye New York. Health care and call sharing were among the topics discussed. We are still nowhere near reaching an agreement with Verizon. Movement at the table can be described as at a snail’s pace at best. The bargaining teams will recess for the weekend and resume talks next week.

The company has declared a surplus under the provisions of article G25 of the contract. The company will offer the provisions of an Enhanced Income Protection Plan(EIPP) to regular employees in the surplus job titles at the work locations involved. EIPP offers will be distributed to the affected employees by today February 17th 2012. An employee’s election to accept the offer must be in writing and transmitted to the company within 15 days from the date of the offer which is March 2nd 2012. The decision to take the EIPP is irrevocable. The off property date for those that elect to accept the EIPP will be March 31st 2012.

The surplus numbers are as follows. South Yarmouth:2 OPT’s, and 6 SST’s. Pocasset 6 SST’S. Hyannis 3 SST’s. Orleans 3 SST’s. The company has indicated that if the surplus is not satisfied with the EIPP they will continue with the force adjustment plan to force rearrange technicians to satisfy the surplus.

The company has also sent notification that they will be permanently transferring 4 construction SST’s from New Bedford to Taunton Installation and Maintenance using article P14 of the contract.

CWA 1105 Tape
Friday February 17, 2012, 2:30 pm
A message from Keith Edwards….
Tape Number: 718-904-1105

CWA Bargaining Update

Bargaining continued all last week and this week revolving around two (2) major topics, Medical and Call Sharing.

Verizon came with another counter proposal to the Unions medical proposal. The Union proposal gave cost containment items that would help Verizon cut costs but unfortunately their proposal only addressed cost shifting.

Their premium payment for a family coverage would end up costing our members approximately $94.00 per week and that doesn’t include co-payment, co-insurance deductible or any additional out of pocket expensive.

This week we worked with the research department from Washington trying to find other ways to cut costs.

Today February 17, 2012 your regional bargaining team presented another counter proposal to Verizon’s call sharing proposal, The Company had some questions and said they were going to review it and get back to us with either more questions or another proposal.

All members need to continue their mobilization effort to be successful at the bargaining table.

Members who are not involved need to be because your future is at stake!

Please keep in touch with this site or the tape on 718 904-1105 And Remember In Unity There is Strength!!!!!

CWA 1104 tape (516-420-1753)-bargaining and IPP update.

CWA Local 1101 Tape- bargaining update- 212-633-6753.

BellTel Association Recommends “Retirement Heist” By Ellen Schultz

Association of BellTel Retirees Inc.

Association Recommends “Retirement Heist” By Ellen Schultz

Ellen Schultz was an award-winning investigative reporter for The Wall Street Journal.  She has written a book that is of great interest to retirees of major corporations, like Verizon Communications.

The book documents how companies plunder and profit from the nest eggs of American workers.  Nell Minow, author of “Watching The Watchers” called the book “… meticulously researched and as gripping as a crime novel.” And we agree.

You can obtain a copy of “Retirement Heist” from a book store like Barnes & Noble or online from Amazon.com for about $16.90 for a hardcover book.

Need to know more?  Ellen reveals how employers:

  • Siphon billions of dollars from pension funds to finance downsizings and sell the assets in merger deals.
  • Overstate the burden of rank-and-file retiree obligations to justify benefits cuts while simultaneously using the savings to inflate executive pay and pensions.
  • Purchase billions of dollars of life insurance on workers and use the policies as informal executive pension funds.  When the insured workers and retirees die, the company collects tax-free death benefits.
  • And more!

Also Take a look at the BellTel Retiree Newsletter Winter 2011-12: Retirement Heist review (page 8). SuperMedia retirees lawsuit, they were transferred from Verizon (page 3). HR1322 – a bill to protect retiree earned benefits (page 6).