With the company beginning to move forward on negotiations and offer their best and final offer. They will most likely force a new contract on union members and force them to choose, between striking or working under imposed contract. Pretty, much the same tactics Fairpoint used up in New England. However, Fairpoint was a dog of a company with no FTTP product and they were also far from making 4 billion in profits a quarter as well. I would think before December 1st there will be a walkout. It would also help pad VZ'S 4th quarter numbers if they can get 39k employees of the payroll for 4 weeks or more.
28 replies (most recent on top)
Union guys have to stop talking tough here. Lowell holds all the cards. I'm sure he has a drop-dead date in mind as to when he will end the impasse . Union would never walk out. I know many MANY members would revolt. "Lets go out for two weeks and lose money, and come back for less" The public thinks most unions are filled with lazy slobs who abuse and do as little as possible. They will never walk.
So many managers in staffing that they really don't need. Union always ahead of the game. They will cut more and more managers anyway. Even if the union walks out . All doomed
696 - "There will be no lockout. I doubt even Verizon could be that oblivious to public sentiment. How do you think the public would react if a company making 4 billion dollars profit per quarter, and paying the top handful of executives 50 million bucks a year, locks out 39,000 workers who are just trying to preserve their pensions and 401k's ? People already don't like Verizon. A lockout would cement Verizon as the greediest corporation ever."
How would the public react? They wouldn't give 2 craps is how they would react. Most think we are over paid lazy POS's to start with and most have had at least one negative interaction with Verizon.
Listen, the company has no intention on budging on the pension issue. This is truly the biggest hang up on the contract negotiations. I don't see a reason for them to keep wasting their time and money passing the same proposals back and forth across the table. In reality VZ is just purring on a show to avoid the "not bargaining in Good faith" charge from the NLRB. It is quite apparent they are gearing up to impose their last/ final offer on the union knowing they will have no choice but to strike.
"Last offer" does not mean "final offer". Then can be a "next" for a "last/latest".
Looks like someone wrongly assumed that these two words are synonymous.
Enough with this discussion. Union will never walk, it is all hot air. I see a contract that gives up plenty coming up.
The company wont allow it? Your speaking for the company? The union will do what is in the best interest of the rank and file. That's why they call it bargaining. If you haven't already noticed people who are not under contract have been let go. Childish statement, "Union isn't winning this time" , nobody working for Verizon is winning. Get your toys and go home.
The union sure isn't winning this time! Ya can't work without a contract forever..the company won't allow it.
The managers that did not get rift new they were safe. Verizon has been training them. Union always wins.
"if you read response #864 you will see that the source of the verbiage is laid out. Company provided negotiation updates is the SOURCE.
— Anonymous195874"
Where is post #864? Another inaccurate post. Smoke and mirrors. Again no last and final offer , negotiations will go on.
Furthermore, the process was then questioned in the next post and admittedly unknown, seeking help in understanding. But rather than provided actual help, you choose to accuse someone of spreading false rumors. Follow the thread and stop making false accusations your d@mn self.
867, if you read response #864 you will see that the source of the verbiage is laid out. Company provided negotiation updates is the SOURCE.
808 here is the verbage from Marc Reed "last best offers on Tuition Assistance and Joint Committee/Work and Family Committee Funding" This was posted on a union site from a Marc Reed email to employees. It says nothing about final offer and only mentions 2 issues out of many others. That does not constitute a lockout. If you understood the process you would realize there is more to a lockout. Misstating events spread the wrong information. Seriously , a sourced statement would have cleared this up.
Let us all look at how much $$ of our 401k is in VZ stock and adjust it asap. We never know what happens next if Lowell tries to fulfill his long term mad dream of lockout..
Seriously, #759, read the replies. It was stated already where the verbiage came from.
Yes, an internal communication from Marc Reed was issued mid-week underscoring the Company has made last offers on key areas, and stating the Company will not back off work rule changes. Then, Friday, a meeting invitation for a mandatory call/webcast was issued to all managers for Tuesday. The subject: Staying Prepared for A Work Stoppage. The Union is walking.
There will be no lockout.
The company will declare an impasse, and impose there BAF offer.
Where is it written Verizon "made their best and final offer" ? I have been on district sites and union sites and there is no verbage indicating "final offer" If what you say is correct post the source (link)
There will be no lockout. I doubt even Verizon could be that oblivious to public sentiment. How do you think the public would react if a company making 4 billion dollars profit per quarter, and paying the top handful of executives 50 million bucks a year, locks out 39,000 workers who are just trying to preserve their pensions and 401k's ? People already don't like Verizon. A lockout would cement Verizon as the greediest corporation ever.
It's pretty common that the company rifs people then turns around and hires them back as contractors. Cheaper wages and no benefits, keep the knowledge in the company.
The 'Company' will bring in outside contractors that will stay as long as needed..... Fairpoint in NH/VT/ME did this and months went by..... they were very organized with that effort (getting people in) --- There were numerous 911 outages ---- Its not the same anymore as in past stoppages ---- look at the condition of the outside plant now ---- they just don't care..... (its like the bearded people in Walter Mitty)
Hope the union heads take advantage of the situation. Company let many go who were to cover the strike. Do not believe those who have been let go will feel any loyalty to cover the strike since company can not hold these employees hostage. Vz played made a bad move in chess, lets see if the union takes advantage of it.
The company can lock the union out at any time since they are working w/out a contract with no extension.
Regarding a lockout...how does that play out? I understand it is the company preventing us from working, but when and why could this potentially happen? I thought there is negotiations, then if we don't agree they do impass, and then we either deal w their demands or strike. I don't understand where the lockout comes into play
The company has used "last best offer" in the past 2 company provided negotiation updates. Is it correct that the next step the company takes is impasse? From there, doesn't it get ruled on? I have been with the company almost 20 years and don't recall anything this severe, so I'm not 100% sure how it plays out when they start using this verbiage.
i would hope the unions hold the line. FORCE a lock out
Have offered last and final offer on tuition assistance and something else. Read it on one of the union sites.
Where is it written Verizon "made their best and final offer" ? Do you have a source? or is it just a guess?