Local 1101 Frequently Asked Questions About a Strike
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How often is picket duty? Every member is required to perform picket duty every day for the first 14 days of a strike. You should report to your regular work location and your Chief Steward will let you know if you are staying there for the day, or assigned to mobile picketing or a Verizon Wireless store. After the first two weeks we will make an announcement about picket duty requirements, which will likely be two days a week, but could be more. Every members’ active participation will let the company know we are serious about getting a contract, and will educate the public on why we were forced out on the street, and will help end the strike earlier.
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How do member relief payments work?
The CWA Members Relief Fund provides payment of $200 per week per striker beginning on the 15th day of a strike, increasing to $300 week on the 29th day of a strike, and increasing to $400 on the 57th day of a strike. Members must complete their picket duty (or alternate strike duty if physically unable to picket) in order to quality for member relief payments.
- How does unemployment work?
Unemployment benefits in NY begin after 49 days of a strike. Unemployment insurance in New York is generally about half of your regular pay, with a maximum weekly payment of $420. Members should file for unemployment within the first couple days after a strike begins.
If you work in one state and live in another, you must file your claim for unemployment benefits with the state where you worked (New York).
NY claims can be filed online at http://www.labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm or by phone at 1-888-209-8124 for New York State residents or 1-877-358-5306 for out-of-state residents.
Note: If you live in one of the following New Jersey counties you should call 1-888-209-8124 (the NY State residents’ number): Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic, and Union.
- What happens to my medical benefits?
The Company has already announced they will cancel coverage on the last day of the month the strike begins.
If/when the company cancels our medical coverage, CWA’s Defense Fund will provide coverage for necessary medical and hospital expenses. In extreme cases, where a worker or his or her family members have ongoing need for care, CWA will pay the health care premiums, or COBRA, to continue the employer’s current health care coverage.
The Defense Fund will pay for COBRA only for members or their dependents who have serious or chronic medical conditions. Pre-approval is mandatory. Members who fall in that category should notify the Local immediately. Do not pay the COBRA on your own without submitting the bill to the Defense Fund because it will not be reimbursed unless it was approved beforehand.
For the majority of workers, the union self-insures and will pay bills directly if someone has an accident, heart attack or other emergency that requires immediate medical care. Routine medical care should be postponed until after the strike. Strikers who can obtain health care coverage through other sources, such as a spouse’s health plan, should rely on those sources during a strike.
Anyone who has emergency medical bills after medical coverage stops should submit those bills to the Local, which will submit them to the Defense Fund for review and possible payment.
Members should refill any prescriptions before the end of the month through Express-Scripts and get a 90-day supply.
- What happens to my vision and dental benefits?
If/when the company cancels our medical benefits, vision and dental benefits will be cancelled at the same time. Vision and dental payments will not be paid from the Members Defense Fund.