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Regional Bargaining Report # 26
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The current round of negotiations with Verizon has been unprecedented,
both in terms of the scope of Verizon’s attacks on the middle-class jobs
of our members, and in terms of the company’s absolute refusal to engage
in serious collective bargaining towards a new contract.
There has been absolutely no movement by the company at the table since
talks began on June 22nd. Over 100 concessionary company proposals
remain on the table. We have never seen anything like this in 50 years
of bargaining with Verizon and its corporate predecessors.
As a result, CWA and IBEW have decided to take the unprecedented step
of striking to force management to stop its Wisconsin-style tactics, and
to start bargaining in good faith.
45,000 IBEW and CWA members walked off the job at midnight to demand
that a company which made $19.5 billion and paid its top executives $258
million over the last four years start bargaining in good faith and stop
its attack on middle class jobs.
If and when the company agrees to bargain, then we will return to work and bargain until a fair agreement is reached.
All Members need to begin their picket assignments. There are NO EXCUSES….all members MUST participate in picketing..You are standing up for your rights and defending your jobs and your families. Do the right thing, there is no other option!!
Be careful on the picket lines, obey the law and most of all, hold your head high as you defend the middle class..
At Midnight
We began fighting for the Middle class
Mobilize! – Mobilize! – Mobilize!
Fraternally,
Dave Keating
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