IBEW New England and CWA District 1/IBEW Local 2213 Regional Bargaining Teams continued meeting with the Company this past week in separate sub-committees. Meetings have also continued between the North and South Regional teams to discuss common proposals that affect the region as a whole. Some of the sub-committee meetings have been productive while others have been stuck in neutral. There still remains many issues and a large amount of data to go through. This corporation does not seem very anxious to come to an agreement. Any movement that they make is extremely small. If there plan is to outlast us, then they are in for a long fight. We will not just give in.

 

After the terminations of 40 members for strike related activity, the tone of bargaining has changed. We have made it very clear to Verizon that these terminations will be dealt with at the table. These actions have become another issue that will be part of any agreement. The IBEW/CWA will also take these terminations to the NLRB and work to have them addressed in that forum. This is another example of the sleazy tactics that we must deal with. These members, from the beginning of their suspensions, have been held hostage.

 

This battle is far from over and the Bargaining Teams return to New York on Monday. We will not weaken and we will not be lulled to sleep. We understand that this has been very stressful on many members. Stay strong and stay United. We continue to work under our existing contract and benefits. We will last one day longer than Verizon in this fight for Working Families.