I worked for Verizon some time ago for years and I left when I had a chance. I'm not anti union or pro company. I am however a person who understands that there are two sides it all and neither is really looking out for YOU. I use to wonder why the contracts were only 3 years. I used to wonder many things and when I asked I could never get a straight answer out of either union or company. So here is what I have found to share with you. These unions know what it take to get rid of them both from the company and it's workers (which YOU CAN do). Here is the info on when you can File for a Decertification election to get rid of your current union........
WHEN CAN I FILE FOR A DECERTIFICATION ELECTION?
If the contract between the union and your employer falls into either of the following categories, you cannot immediately file for a decertification election:
Petitions for a decertification election cannot be filed for one year after a union wins an NLRB conducted election.
Petitions for a decertification election cannot be filed during the first three years of a collective bargaining agreement, except for during a certain 30-day “window period.” In most workplaces, the “window period” for filing a decertification petition with the NLRB occurs 60 to 90 days prior to the expiration date or three year anniversary of the contract, whichever comes first. In the health care industry (such as hospitals), the “window period” occurs 90 to 120 days prior to the expiration date of the contract or three year anniversary of the contract, whichever comes first.
A decertification petition can also be filed any time after a contract expires or becomes more than three years old. However, if your employer and the union enter into a successor contract, the new contract will begin another three year “contract bar.” Thus, if you miss the “window period” for filing a petition for a decertification election, you may have to wait for another three years to request a decertification election.
Notice it says you can NOT file during the first three years of a collective bargaining agreement. Well doesn't this just chap your ass So basically you have a right to file you just can't do it because the company and the union have agreed to keep the contract so short that you don't have enough time to file all the proper paperwork. I am sorry but there are no innocent parties here folks.