Company Proposals Fit for "Worst Day of the Year"

According to a report on the Today Show, Monday, January 24th is "the worst day of the year"...a day when New Year's resolutions are broken, hefty holiday credit card bills show up, cold weather has gotten old AND Verizon management makes lousy bargaining proposals. OK, the Today Show didn't say that last part, but they should have.

The company's first comprehensive proposal was "woefully inadequate" according CWA Representative and Bargaining Committee Chair, Crystal Roberts. Details of the the company’s proposal include:

**Gutting seniority on force adjustment and job bidding

**Allowing the company to reduce the regular full-time workforce while adding "term employees" and "working retirees"

**Reduction in personal illness benefits

**Silence on the need to address the VEBA Caps (which protects retirees' health care)

**Silence on the issue of wage parity within the region

**0 (ZERO!) wage increase the first year, for hundreds of employees, zero in the first 18 months.

**Vague and unsatisfactory proposals on issues of work jurisdiction.

Our bargaining committee has let management know our displeasure with the position the company has taken in bargaining. However, that will not be enough. Management needs to hear this message from each and every member. There are several mobilization activities planned this week that will give us a chance to let management know how we feel. Contact your local leadership for details.

The next report will be on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, or sooner should developments warrant.