In a huge vote, CWA members at Verizon West ratified a three-year contract that increases wages by 8.25 percent and holds the line against health care cost-shifting for 5,500 workers in California.

CWA District 9 Vice President Jim Weitkamp said that a very high percentage of members returned ballots; members voted by a margin of 20-1 to approve the contract. He commended the bargaining team and mobilization by locals and members for their hard work that resulted in a quality contract.

The contract establishes a preferred provider health care option for employees, ensures that a sales incentive plan for customer service representatives will remain voluntary and includes an agreement by the company to meet with the union to discuss ways to reduce subcontracting.