Offical Statement Clarification

There have been many questions regarding the Federal Mediators official statement and the word concluded: Concluded means until both parties pull out of negotiations, one/either party pulls out of negotiations, or there is an agreement. It’s a carefully constructed statement, so Members must continue to mobilize and push for a SUCCESSFUL conclusion.

DOJ Decision on Verizon-Big Cable Deal Destroys Competition, Jobs

Rally at Pearl Street 8-18-2011. Click on image to view gallery.

This is the statement CWA issued today on the U.S. Justice Department’s decision approving the Verizon DOJ Decision on Verizon-Big Cable Deal Destroys Competition, JobsWireless-Big Cable deal:

The U.S. Justice Department’s decision today to approve the Verizon Wireless-Big Cable deal is exactly the wrong one for workers, consumers and communities. The result is a massive Verizon Wireless/cable/content monopoly, job cuts, higher prices, and fewer choices.

The weak conditions on cross-marketing that DOJ has set in place will do little to continue competition. Instead, this deal will result in Verizon abandoning further investment in FiOS, its high speed network. For communities like Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, cities across upstate New York and most of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Virginia, there will be no high-speed Internet competition — none.

The cable monopoly with high-speed linked to content bundles that drive average prices higher is not the answer. No other 21st Century nation has chosen this path. Finally, how will the DOJ or FCC police marketing restrictions within a market area?

Not only have regulators lost their focus on competition, but they again show that jobs get no consideration in telecommunications policy. Without incentives or direction for Verizon to continue to build out FiOS, thousands of good paying jobs will be lost.

There is strong opposition to this deal. More than 49 members of Congress, mayors from Boston and nine upstate New York communities, and dozens of local elected officials and consumer advocates have weighed in on the harm that consumers and communities will suffer from the anti-competitive provisions of this deal. More than 100,000 consumers are on record opposing this transaction.

Separately, the Congressional Black Caucus wrote to DOJ Attorney General Eric Holder and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing concerns members of Congress and calling for strong conditions on the deal.

“It seems clear to me that the joint marketing agreements that are a central feature of this transaction create substantial disincentives for Verizon to expand its FiOS deployment,” wrote Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (Mo.) and chair of the CBC.

“Too many lower-income and minority communities do not have affordable access to high-speed Internet, which puts them at a disadvantage in access to jobs, economic activity, education, health care and public safety. Closing the digital divide must be a top priority in your review of this transaction,” he said.

Source CWA News

Justice Department approves Verizon cable company deal on spectrum

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79794.html#ixzz23lYT9cKR

Verizon CWA and IBEW Labor Talks August 15

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued the following statement on Wednesday evening on the status of negotiations between Verizon, CWA and IBEW. Under the agreement for mediation, all parties must continue to refrain from any public comment on the status of the talks while mediation is in progress. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen On Verizon-CWA-IBEW Labor Talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As of this date, the parties now have been engaged in intensive negotiations for three weeks under the auspices of myself and Director of Mediation Services John Pinto. As previously reported, progress continues to be made, but, again, a number of core issues remain to be resolved. Pursuant to the mediators’ recommendation, the parties have agreed to continue their negotiations until concluded.

Remembering Gerry Horgan

On August 15, during the 1989 strike, Local 1103 Chief Steward Gerry Horgan sustained injuries on the picket line after being struck by a vehicle driven by the strikebreaker daughter of a manager.

Gerry Horgan died on August 16, 1989 in Valhalla from injuries sustained the day before. He left behind his wife and two small daughters.

His death is one reason why CWA members still wear red in solidarity on Thursdays today. The 1989 strike over health care benefits lasted another four months.

Gerry has been remembered by those who worked with him as a “natural born leader” and “the epitome of what a union representative should be.” He also is remembered as a father, husband, son, brother, and a dear friend by those who loved him and knew him best.

Workers Stand For America Philadelphia Rally

In Philly, organized labor rallies for workers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Thousands of union workers wearing brightly colored T-shirts gathered Saturday for a rally to demand attention from politicians of both parties to issues affecting working people.

Labor leaders, politicians and some union members at the “Workers Stand for America” rally drew applause as they portrayed a middle class being squeezed and called for a second “Bill of Rights” that would guarantee full employment and a “living wage,” quality education, health care and security in retirement as well as collective bargaining. “You built the middle class, you’re going to continue to build the middle class,’ Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., told the crowd. “You help people who are sometimes not even in a union, because you lift all boats when you fight for those rights.”

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka drew chants of “Union! Union!” after a fiery speech telling workers that they were “job creators.”
Read the full story.

Federal Mediation Update August 10

Verizon Local Presidents / CWA Regional Bargaining Committee and IBEW Bargaining Committee

WE have agreed to an extension of bargaining with the Federal Mediator. The previous extension was to conclude at the close of business on Friday, August 10, 2012 (today). This extension has been rescheduled to conclude by the close of business on Wednesday August 15, 2012.

Mediator Statement: CWA/IBEW Labor Talks To Continue

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen
August 9, 2012

On Verizon CWA-IBEW Labor Talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As of this date, the parties have been engaged in intensive negotiations for two weeks under the auspices of myself and Director of Mediation Services John Pinto.

The negotiations continue to be constructive and progress continues to be made, but, again, a number of core issues remain to be resolved. Pursuant to the mediators’ recommendation, the parties have agreed to continue their negotiations until concluded.

Stand Up To Verizon and Stand Up For Workers On August 11

Join thousands of CWA and IBEW workers on August 11, 2012 in Philadelphia at the Workers Stand for America Rally.

This week we are building momentum toward a rally of more than 30,000 in Philadelphia on Saturday. Members of CWA and IBEW will kick off the action at the Verizon worksite at 9th and Race Streets at 9:45 a.m.

In addition to brothers and sisters from the Philadelphia area, at least 49 busloads of workers from across the region and beyond will add their voices to the call for full employment, a living wage, full participation, and the right to a good education and a secure and healthy future. These are the foundations of the Second Bill of Rights that will be signed and presented to the Democratic and Republican candidates at their upcoming political conventions.

In the name of workers all over the country, we want the candidates to know that we are going to hold them accountable. Politicians have to answer the question, “Which side are you on?” And they will understand they can’t take us for granted.

Buses leave from 3 NYC locations. Call the Local now to reserve your seat! (212-633-2666)

CWA MEMBERS: WEAR RED IN SUPPORT OF YOUR UNION.

Verizon is Verigreedy

FMCS Statement on Verizon-CWA-IBEW Labor Talks

Bargaining News

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service issued the following statement today on the status of negotiations between Verizon, CWA and IBEW. Under the agreement for mediation, all parties are to refrain from any public comment on the status of the talks while mediation is in progress. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen On Verizon-CWA-IBEW Labor Talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the past ten days, the parties have been engaged in continuous negotiations under the auspices of myself and Director of Mediation Services John Pinto. The negotiations have been constructive and progress has been made, but significant key issues remain to be resolved. Negotiations will resume on Monday, August 6, at our offices.

Regional Bargaining Report # 61

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Bargaining continues in Washington DC at the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service. CWA, IBEW and Verizon have agreed to Guidelines which includes that no information can be released by either party concerning the progress of these negotiations. Verizon had insisted that there would be a deadline set of Friday August 3, 2012.

Since last Wednesday July 25th, the CWA District 1/IBEW Local 2213 and IBEW New England and the CWA District 2-13 and IBEW Local 827 have been meeting with the Chairman of the FMCS. Because of the agreed upon blackout, there is no news of progress on non-progress to report.

The Company is still not hearing us so it is more important than ever that we take this fight to a new level. The next couple of days we MUST let management know that we want a fair contract. Our members must continue to mobilize. Every member needs to commit to spending some time in the next few days participating in mobilization activities. Every member MUST call their steward or their Local and ask how they can help. It’s time to show the company that we have 100% of the membership ready to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract.

On Saturday, August 11, 2012 Americans from all over the country will be in Philadelphia, for the “Workers Stand for America Rally” to stand up for the middle class and urge all Americans, especially our elected officials, to stand with us. It is time for every member to stand up and be counted. Contact your Local for information on transportation to the rally.

If you have not been involved it is time to get involved TODAY.

Call your Local or talk to your steward and find out what you can do today to help TODAY.

IT IS TIME TO GET ANGRY

TODAY IT IS TIME TO GET INVOLVED

TODAY IT’S TIME TO FIGHT BACK 

Mobilize! – Mobilize! – Mobilize!