Back in the 80s and 90s, it probably made sense to use management employees to temporarily fill in for striking workers. With today's workforce composition, I feel the company is putting managers in harms way sending them out on these assignments. First of all, many are relatively new and do not have not experienced a strike assignment before. To think that you can send someone to a 5 day training course and ask them to watch videos is insane. Many of these workers received "training" one year ago. It's unreasonable and unfair to send them out to customers as field techs. Yes, some can repair troubles, but many of the HR and Finance employees think they have been dropped on Mars. These types of workers may not be in physical shape or emotionally up to performing these jobs. With some assignees doing 80+ hours per week, it is 'blood money' and not worth it at all. I feel in this day and age, Verizon should have had a contracted team of skilled workers once they realized a work stoppage was eminent. Is it really worth it to expose mgt workers to Union associates who might be inclined to injure them? Do we want another Gerry Horgan falling off the hood of a car? This is all really not with it. Sr leadership at Verizon needs to be more responsible and settle this mess. They can get a deal done (eg,AOL), how come they can't get the Union problem done?
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@H1hBHEW-axp you are so right! This is the best way for managers to actually meet the customers and learn the business up close and personal. Not just numbers on papers or slides in a presentation deck. It also engenders a real respect for how the other side lives and works.
The OP is so very concerned about people. Oh they might break a nail or have to do something they are not used to doing or even fit to do. Tough. EWA gives people an opportunity to do something different for a change. Not all desk jockeys really like being confined to a desk for the rest of their lives. It is nice to go out and see the people, talk to real customers. I think these EWA activities should be required for management personnel as part of their career training. In some companies, office staff are encouraged to go out and do ride alongs and experience customer interactions. Why? Because it makes them a better well-rounded employee. How many managers have never even seen a NOC or witnessed a FiOS install? It's scary how little people calling the shots really know about the technical and practical aspects of the jobs that are performed at Verizon.
@H1hBHEW-cdr because that's how investments work, kind of like that similar story that we are hearing out of the VDMS, Go90, Hum, IOT etc. But there is a bias against FiOS inside the company because it is not run by people who know how to invest, but who believe investments are best based on 'payback'.
FiOS is best of breed, unfortunately most of the senior execs in the company are not.
FiOS produces negative cash flows, that's the issue, plain and simple. When FiOS breaks even or actually throws off cash, the desire to invest will return. Until then, you need to sustain it with only the minimum capital. And, look for a buyer...
The business is declining because the company has been intentionally starving it.
After the 2011 strike I asked our SVP during our 'debriefing' when the company was going to replace some of the OSP in New York City, which frankly looked very 3rd World.
I was shocked by his answer: "Never! Customers are either going to get Wireless or FiOS or they aren't going to be customers".
The only problem is of course....the started limiting the roll out of FiOS too.
What I don't understand is all these union people, who work in a declining business, being all giddy and excited that the stock price went down and wishing failure on the company.
If they hate the company then why don't they quit and go find a job somewhere else? It doesn't seem very intelligent to be wishing failure on the company that pays your paycheck, especially when you work in the most unstable part of the business.
To Frn, Not really following your comment. I am the OP. Are you suggesting that I am an Associate and don't want a manager doing my job? Or, do you mean I am concerned about someone else doing my regular job? Neither is relevant. I am just suggesting that contractors that can do field tech work should be doing this work, not individuals who have no interest in participating in this wk stoppage. Basking Ridge uses contractors to avoid having Associates in the bldg, why don't they use them during a strike?
Down, down, down, goes the stock, when will something be done.
To the OP: The only reason you're even writing all that is because you don't like people taking over your job. Let's be honest.
@erd - Signed,
FiOS Tech
The company has #s to meet and financial constraints. If the Union employees are not there to do the work, you will receive an EWA and get your assout there to produce the #s. I thought the OSP work was mindless? BS you are experiencing is our normal.
It takes two to tango.
The union also needs to move to. Not just off the stupid stuff, like the birthday of your cat, that they asked for.
VZ could not fire workers, while waiting for the union to strike.
The EWA workers are holding there own, not as efficient as the union, but will keep the wheeles on as long as needed.
Temporary workers (as when the strike is done, the current workers will keep there jobs) are being hired, and will be hired in mass soon.
Not just managements fault,
Time for the union, and upper management to get over there ego's, and negotate.
They will definitely burn out the EWAS in another three or four months. What then?