IBEW LOCAL 2325
IBEW LOCAL 2325
 

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System Council T6 Press Release
Jul 17, 2015

“Enough is Enough”

IBEW Members Vote to Strike if Verizon Contract Negotiations Fail

Leaders of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) System Council T-6 announced today that Verizon employees in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike in the event that union negotiators determine one is necessary after the August 1 contract expiration. CWA will hold strike votes over the next 10 days and announce their results by the end of the month.

Billions in profits, nothing for workers

Dave Keating, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2325 in Worcester, explained that the decision to hold a strike authorization vote was prompted by the company’s refusal to move forward instead of backward in its stance, “The company’s comprehensive proposal does nothing but take from this membership. They post profits in the billions but continue to look for more from our members. [They] put more money in their own pockets and erode the working conditions of our members. Enough is enough.”

Union leaders in both states emphasized the regressive nature of the company’s recent demands and the need for the union to stand up for middle-class jobs in New England. Eric Hetrick, Business Manager of Local 2322 in Middleboro, said the package Verizon proposed in June would “roll back fifty years of collective bargaining.” Hetrick added, “We cannot and will not let this company destroy good, middle-class jobs that support our communities. What we’re asking for is to be able to support our families and never have to worry about choosing between going to the doctor and paying the mortgage because the cost of healthcare is too high.”

Job stresses and threats of outside contractors

Ed Starr, Business Manager of Local 2321 in North Andover, expressed concern about the stresses on members’ lives as a result of company policies. “The members have been under assault from Verizon with departmental consolidations and jobs being moved all over New England and outside the region to low wage contractors. Forced weekend schedules have taken our members away from their families and have adversely affected the quality of life for every worker,” said Starr.

With bargaining entering its fifth week, union negotiators say the company has proposed significant changes that would cut good jobs and allow unlimited contracting out in addition to slashing benefits like health care and retirement savings.

Workers look toward the future: high speed broadband and quality service

IBEW workers are looking toward the future and fighting to prevent outsourcing and offshoring of good jobs, according to Steve Murphy, Business Manager of Local 2323 in Rhode Island. “They are also fighting for retirement security and quality, affordable healthcare against a back drop of excessive corporate greed and lavish executive salaries,” said Murphy.

Verizon workers say they are not just fighting to protect good jobs in their communities but to ensure the best service to customers. The company has neglected the traditional network while refusing to expand the fiber optic network, leaving residents, businesses, and municipalities with outdated technology and little choice for high speed broadband and video.

According to Paul English, a Verizon technician in Boston and a shop steward with IBEW Local 2222, “We are eager to do the work that our customers demand and want to provide high speed broadband in all of our communities. Unfortunately, the company wants to make changes that will slash jobs, move work out of state, and hamper our ability to provide quality service and close the digital divide for everyone.”

Union leaders and workers “ready to do what is necessary”

Myles Calvey, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2222 and chair of the System Council T-6, agrees with fellow negotiators that a strike is “another tool in our arsenal” if Verizon remains unwilling to reach an agreement before the deadline.  “Despite weeks of negotiations, we are no closer today to an agreement than we were on June 22. Our members have voted to authorize a strike by a resounding 96% in the event that our bargaining team decides it’s necessary. Of course, we hope a strike is not necessary and that we reach a fair agreement by August 1 that protects good jobs and quality service for our customers.”

Leaders said that the result of the strike authorization vote sends a strong message to management. According to John Rowley, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2324 in Springfield, “With another overwhelmingly supportive strike authorization vote behind us, the Business Managers of the system council know that we have the support of the members for what lies ahead. It is not possible to reach a fair contract without everyone prepared to do what is necessary. I am thankful to the members for sending the message of solidarity to the bargaining committee. It sends a clear message to Verizon that we are ready.”

IBEW System Council T-6 is comprised of seven local unions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island representing 5,000 Verizon employees: Locals 2222, 2313, 2321, 2322, 2323, 2324, and 2325.

The IBEW and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) together represent nearly 6,000 employees in the two states, among a total of 38,000 across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Negotiations between the company and the two unions began on June 22.


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IBEW local 2325
367 Burncoat St
Worcester, MA 01606
 

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