The union played this one quite well. The compny did have a smart set up for training and was better prepped for a strike LAST August. But you really cant expect people to learn this job with 40 hours of training - that occured a year ago! Plus they laid off something like 5,000 managers who they had trained.
The company was totally caught with their pants down.
The rumor is true. Lowell was totally blind-sided by the strike and the upper echelon is running around like chickens. The union really got him this time after the 2011 debacle.
I know they are meeting 100%. I'll just say I'm a close relative of someone involved... I don't know all the details though...
I'll ask again. Where are all of these supposed newly trained replacement workers coming from? Is VZ snatching them from the ranks of other companies, offering them such a sweet deal that they leave their occupations for the "chance" to possibly work for VZ long term? Does anyone "besides team VZ" believe that there is, and has been maintained a ready replacement workforce?
For the field techs; did you have to pass an aptitude test, drug test and demonstrate physical ability as a condition of employment? The answer is yes. Were you capable to do your job at week 1, week 3 or week 6?
Possibly, IF you had a good mentor. How long did it take to become proficient at it though? Yea, somewhat longer, because what is in the databases isn't what is in the real network and troubleshooting skills take more than a few days of training to acquire.
When VZ shills state that replacements are hiding just around the corner, remember that what you do every day and in every weather condition is not something the people assigned an ewa by Team VZ is prepared to do, nor are they "insta-trained" like they want you to believe.
Agreed...how does @hug know they are meeting amongst themselves? I feel all this is speculation.
@GW6IRcz-mle Verizon OWNS the Huffington Post! This was one of Lowell's bigs gets, along with AOL.
If it is in the Huff Post is has to be true. Just like the enquirer, everything you read on the cover on the grocery line is true too.
@hug And how would you know this? Are you Lowell's right hand man?
@xtd.....Lowell, please go back into hiding in your BR office with your H1-B'S. Enjoy the rest of your left over cold Domino's pizza and take a deep breath. Ummmmm....nothing quite like the smell of b.o. and curry. Don't worry, your VZ Teamers are still energized.
Lets see what happens when your benefits run out. Already the company is training new workers. All you will be saying is "Do you want fries with that?"
The high level discussion should be.....Lowell, are you going to step down on Monday or Tuesday? We are tired of you running our business into the ground.
I have ZERO doubt about this. The company really earned itself some bad PR when even the Huff Post lays out in detail what a bad tax payer Verizon is. And then to get involved in the presidential election? Bad move. Add to that that the EWA work force was not prepared and was a day or two late in arriving. The company has a serious problem.
I didn't say they were meeting with union. They are meeting amongst themselves.
Read your Union updates. Company walked out of talks on Friday said they won't be coming back to the table till Monday. Company doesn't seem in too much of a hurry to settle strike.
lmao @ OP Dude, you just freaking rolled out of bed on this Saturday afternoon. The only high level thing you are aware of is your hairline.
Gave a fair offer to the ready union.
Take the contract, and go back to work.
As time goes on, the temporary employees, will out perform 90% of the lazy useless union scum.
VZ will hire temporary workers, and the union will accept a contract not as good as the last offer.
Where do these hordes of trained replacement workers waiting to be scurried into VZ come from? Is there an unseen army of unemployed telecomm workers disguised as bus drivers or retail workers waiting to swoop in replace the union? If there is a legitimate answer, then the union should be concerned.
"The circus should get a bit funnier as time goes on".
Actually it does NOT get funnier. The next wave of workers will be scurried in, many of them contractors that have done this work before. They will have no problems taking over your role for a prolonged strike. No one is irreplaceable and there are plenty of people ready and able to take the job you carelessly walked away from.
...Company had left town for weekend.
Now hearing the FMCS putting pressure on verizon to settle by next week.
Sorry but this is just wishful thinking. VZ is done with the CWA. The only high level talks going on are about when they will start hiring permanent replacements for the poor souls that are locked out. This ain't your daddy's phone company. It's not even the same as 2011.
This real or mostly wishful thinking? 3rd generation Union member here. Wanting to work and fighting good fight.
Wishful thinking, but doubtful.
Good let us go back to our jobs and give the union a fair contract
Looks like it's not just old rotary phones after all...hey Lowell??
If Verizon appreciated their workers instead of their big bonuses that are unfounded, then this strike could of been avoided. Now, maybe Verizon understands the value their 40000 employees bring to the organization. In a way it is good that the strike happened should of started sooner.
I sure hope we don't budge on job security for the rest of our membership, bringing back all those laid off and push for a 5 year deal so we don't have to go through this bull$hit again in 3.
Heard same thing here in Philly. 200+ dispatches a day now being missed. Central office alarms cant be cleared. 5-6-7-8-9 EWA workers in a CO and nobody knows how to fix anything.
I heard chatter today being parroted "we weren't ready for this."
Call center calls were being routed to a disconnected number,for hours before a fix was found.
The circus should get a bit funnier as time goes on.