Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The vote results for the Verizon contract ratification vote are in. The contract was rejected in 1101.  The contract passed overall across the Maine to Virginia footprint. This means the contract is ratified and goes into effect Sunday, October 21st.  CWA has requested that Locals do not publicly publish their numbers.  

We had a record participation rate of 70% in 1101.  That’s the highest turnout rate in 1101 for a Verizon contract ratification vote in years.  However you voted, I want to thank you for participating and making your voice heard.

The Verizon Wireless contract (covering 70 members in Local 1101) had a participation rate of 75% and was passed overwhelmingly.

We made this ratification process as visible, transparent and democratic as possible. We held two contract interpretation meetings and visited worksites throughout Local 1101.  We gave our reasons why as active CWA members still employed at Verizon, your Executive Board was voting no. The majority of members agreed with us, but not everyone. We worked hard to create a respectful environment for dialogue, debate and disagreement.  We made all the information available and encouraged every member to make his or her own decision. We did the voting with a mail ballot through the American Arbitration Association to make sure every member had the opportunity to vote.  The result?  1101 members voted in record numbers and showed Verizon how much we care about our future and our union.

Just as importantly, I want to thank you for your efforts this past year and a quarter.  It has been a rough road, filled with a lot of up and downs and uncertainty.  It was not easy to sustain mobilization efforts over such a long period of time, but I’m proud of the determination and perseverance 1101 members showed.  Local 1101 stood strong and our position was clear – “ready to strike and never surrender”.  The company came in with a plan to gut our contract, and it was members’ mobilization efforts for more than a year that caused the company to back off many of their harshest demands.

We have a contract until August 1, 2015, but the worst thing we could do now would be to become complacent.  We all know what tough challenges we are facing at Verizon. We will continue to stand together as proud CWA members fighting for our future. 

If you have any questions please call the Local at 212-633-2666 (Manhattan) or 718-823-7330 (Bronx).

In solidarity,

Keith Purce

President