The Grinch Who Hates Unions

Ivan's double joined CWA 1102 on Staten Island

The whole labor movement!
Even though it had led to his own improvement!

It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.

But I think instead that the real reason for it
May have been that his greed had absolutely no limit 

Some say his heart was two sizes too small

But, whatever the reason,
His greed or his shoes,
He stood there on 5th Avenue, hating the Whos,
Staring down from his suite with a sour, Grinchy frown
At the proud, angry workers below in the town.
For he knew every Who with a good union contract
Was busy down there, organizing those who had not. 

"And they're talking to workers!" he snarled and he glowered.
"Telling them solidarity is strength, and unity is power!"
Then he growled, with his grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find a way to keep the union from coming!"
For, tomorrow, he knew...

The union would win!

North-Central Holiday Wishlist: A Fair Contract

North-Central members aren't counting on flying reindeer to deliver a fair contract. They're mobilizing across all five states to send a strong message to management that they are united in support of the CWA bargaining committee.

Members wore stickers, tied black ribbons to antennas and stood up in some centers to express their solidarity.

Latest updates: district4.cwa-union.org

Letter from California

"Being part of a union is like being part of a family"

"I know when I go to work every day I give Verizon the best service and PR skills I have to offer. I hope that they will see their employees are dedicated to them.  By Verizon trying to take from us . . . so their management and higher company personnel can benefit from our loss is a tragedy.

"I know for a fact if the company will just think about their employees and try to make life better for them they will see more dedication, hard work, and perseverance from us.

"I would like to say being part of a union is like being part of a family. Keep fighting for us. UNION YES!"

For updates:
www.cwa-union.org/district9/Verizon.htm

More Seasonal Songs for the Picket Line

Ivan Baby Tune: Santa Baby Lyrics: CWA Local 4371 Ivan Baby, put a contract under the tree for me, We've worked hard, Ivan Baby, North Central needs To be rewarded for our deeds Been awful good, Ivan Baby, selling DSL and Direct TV, not to mention pushing for FTTP Need good wages, job security, and healthcare, too Ivan Baby, we're dedicated to what we do. So, Ivan Baby, now that you've heard my plea, deliver a fair contract to me And bring it down my chimney January 29th! I'm Dreaming of a Just Workplace Tune: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas Lyrics: Julie McCall I'm dreaming of a just workplace Where every worker's organized Where the law protects us The boss respects us And no jobs have been downsized I'm dreaming of a just workplace With every union card that's signed At this holiday may we find Solidarity and peace of mind I'm dreaming of a just workplace Where every worker gets their share Where the company's profits Will reach our pockets And we're all treated fair and square I'm dreaming of a just workplace With every campaign we begin Until justice comes before greed And our workplace rights are guaranteed  For more great union songs, chants, and resources, visit www.laborheritage.org

NEWSFLASH

Sprint & Nextel
Announce Merger

Verizon has previously been rumored to be interested in Sprint, especially now that Cingular is bigger than Verizon Wireless. Sprint and VZW use the same network technology.

Now that Sprint and Nextel have announced their merger, will Verizon try to break it up? (The deal will have to approved by the FCC and the Dept. of Justice.) Corporate America and federal regulators are watching, and so are we.

Stayed tuned . . .

And the Verizon Wireless demonstrations continue . . .

CWA Local 2336 showed the holiday spirit in D.C.

On Staten Island, during the two hours that CWA Local 1102 handbilled, about 80% of customers were willing to call Ivan's office (212-395-1062) to call him on his Grinch-like treatment of workers and customers.

CWA Local 2336 greeted customers and passed out hundreds of flyers at a Verizon Wireless store in downtown Washington, D.C.

CWA Local 1108 spent about 45 minutes in the Verizon Wireless store in Ronkonkoma, NY, talking with employees and customers before they were "escorted" out. Some of the customers who called Ivan's office spoke with the Grinch himself. (That number again: 212-395-1062.)

North Haven store managers try to get Local 1298's balloons off the ceiling

Some of the 100 customers whom CWA Local 1023 handbilled brought the flyers with them into the Woodbridge, NJ, store.

At Palisades Mall in West Nyack, NY, onlookers gathered while CWA Local 1107 took over the store. Many in the crowd made calls to Ivan's office. "The public was really great -- they didn't need to be prompted what to say. I think Ivan got the message that they need to treat their customers and employees with a little respect."

When Local 1298 returned to the New Haven, CT, store for a second action, they didn't come empty-handed. "People were there from 1298, IAM District 26, HERE/UNITE and the New Haven Labor Council. We let CWA balloons (with very short strings) shoot to the ceiling of the store. Each had a note attached that read: 'Bah Humbug to Corporate Greed & Union Busting' with a picture of Ivan Seidenberg."

Rep. Bernie Sanders: "There's a war being waged by corporate America against working people."

At CWA Local 1400's rally in Burlington, Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders told the crowd, "In many ways there's a war being waged by corporate America against the working people of Vermont and the United States of America. And we have got to stop that." The demonstration was covered by all three local news stations.

A crowd of 60 from CWA Local 1400, IBEW Local 2222, Jobs with Justice, and other unions, held their second demonstration in Boston on Saturday. Rep. Jim McGovern and former Congressman David Bonior (now chair of American Rights at Work) sang holiday carols and met with LaVerne Conley.

Buffalo-area locals (CWA 1115, 1117, 1122, 1168, and IBEW 2213) paid a return visit to the VZW store in Cheektowaga and reported, "I know we are getting to them because they called the police 3 times. They are also videotaping us and have pictures. I asked for copies of the pics for the newsletter but they seem hesitant to let me have them . . . ."

Holiday caroling in Boston

CWA Locals in Marion, OH; Madison, WI; Detroit; Chicago; LaPorte, IN; Chesapeake, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Newport News, VA also held demonstrations.

Visit us on the web for lots more pictures: www.cwa-union.org/verizon/photos

More demos coming:

Dec. 15
Richmond, VA, 7320 Staples Mill Rd., 10-11:30 am

Dec. 16
Newport News, VA, 12227 Jefferson, 11 am-noon

Staten Island, NY, 2791 Richmond Ave., 6 pm

Dec. 20
Suffolk, VA,1459 N. Main St., 11:35 am-12:25 pm

Dec. 22
Richmond, VA, 7320 Staples Mill Rd., 10-11:30 am

Dec. 23
Newport News, VA, 12227 Jefferson, 11 am-noon

These locals are also planning rallies. Contact your local for locations & times:

2101, 2108, 2336, 4050, 4202, 4371, 4671, 4773, 6171, 6222, 6310, 13000, 13500