I'm management, so I obviously disagree strongly with the strike. However, I'm sorry for the ignorance and hate that you receive on boards like this. I know you're doing what you feel is right, and you're good people at heart. We just disagree on this subject. I would never wish you harm though, and i hope you're all safe and return soon. I don't really understand the hate from you that I see daily on the lines, but again, I'm non-union so it's just something I don't understand. I hope one day soon we can all work together to make Verizon a great, innovative, and industry-leading company once again.
17 replies (most recent on top)
Psz- you're right. And no, I can't quit my job so as you've said, I'm here not by choice, but out of need. I need the job and benefits, so here I am. I've learned a great deal about the job I'm doing, and have learned to respect those that do it on a daily basis. I don't believe those who say "this job is so easy"' because no job in a technical company is simple. I know the person I am replacing can do this job better than I can because he/she has done it for years. So at the end of the day, we are all stuck in a situation that isn't ideal, but we are all trying to do our best. As I said, I have no Ill-will towards anyone on the union side. I hope you all stay safe, and are back to work soon.
OP
There is always a bit of antipathy during a strike.
If you think about it though, it is not really directed at you personally, it is the fact that by doing Union work you are enabling the company in their attempt to break our Union.
People do understand that you guys are "forced" to do it. We union get the same thing when people tell us to "just quit our jobs" if we don't like it. Same thing. I can't just quit my job right now, and I guess you can't either. Perhaps the company is taking advantage of the poor job market to reduce benefits for workers and break the Union.
What you may not be aware of though is that the climate is particularly bad this time because of the company's campaign of harassment against Union workers in the year leading up to this strike. You EWA workers are not experiencing this because right now the company is scrambling to get the work done.
If you are interested, there is a description of one part of this campaign of harassment here @HczBsIn
It is my personal opinion that Verizon will not be a great, innovative, or industry leading company until they adopt a more enlightened workplace policy that views workers, union or non-union as human beings, with families, who need a fair work/life balance and not as numbers on a spreadsheet, or as a resource to be ruthlessly exploited in the name of raising shareholder value.
I think we are all getting screwed. I'm non-union taking CSSC calls and tired all the time. This is not an easy job and I respect the people who did this for a living. That take a special kind of person. Hats off to you guys.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/are-the-salaries-of-veriz_b_9815496.html?
why should I read something from this claptrap.
Are the execs overpaid? sure.
Having looked at what VZ put out, it does not seem that bad.
However, the devil is in the details.
I wish you luck, in keep job security.
I do not hate the union (IT guy, not on EWA), but all this hate needs to stop.
Soon, we will all be back together again, as one company.
We can disagree, but try to be civil.
Thanks
Jtv- I appreciate that. But just one clarification; I'm not fighting for management. I'm just doing my job because I have a wife and kids who I need to provide for. I'm not an advocate for management, I'm just simply doing my job. I know you feel the same and you're supporting the strike because you are looking out for your family as well. Which I respect. We just happen to be on opposite sides of the issue. This is America and what makes it great is that we all have the freedom and choice to agree and disagree. I appreciate your civil response, and hope you and your family are well.
I hope you don't think I wish anything worse than stepping in a pile of doggie poo or perhaps having a bee fly up the shirt of the EWA that rifd my family member. However I also don't want anyone to forget that these older workers did not "retire" like someone handed an early out package. They were laid off and replaced with foreign workers which is illegal, so yes I will mention it even if it is old news to you. It is a reminder that the Union is not dealing with boy scouts.
Remember, membership may not agree with leadership on all points, but we are union and have to trust them
No one seems to remember in the late 70's / early80's when management tried to unionize and were fired from NJ Bell and NY Telephone. The CWA and IBEW laughed at them, one e-board member (named Jake) said management should not be allowed in any Union. Now we fast forward a generation and they are saying we should have been in a union and support them. I feel very sorry for the union members on strike and wish them the best, however, we all need to do what we have too to survive. The main obstacle is the gang of six, most of who came out of wireless and have hated for anyone not from wireless. They only look at bottom line and what cuts they can make to get more of a return and get bigger bonuses.
@mmo and OP - I am a Union member and support this strike 1000%.... However, please ignore @icd (you can see many of his posts here on layoffs.com - he's using the word 'scab' in every sentence) as he does not represent how Union members behave or think...
There is no reason to use profanities, we fight for the worker, you fight for the management - let's see who wins
Well, I at least tried to be a neutral voice of reason and peel back the hate. You can tell me to f-myself, and talk about RIFs, etc and that's fine. I don't take it personally. I still wish you well and hope to see you all back to work soon. At the end of day, we all have families that we love and we are doing what we feel is right to protect them. So, I'll continue to smile when I pass you and hope you stay safe.
I personally have nothing against the management/ewa folks at all and I truly hope this contract dispute comes to a peaceful resolution so we can get back to work. This contract negotiation has been pretty brutal.
This company will never be great while Lowells at the helm.
op & zvc, go fu(k yourselves, u r scabs!
I guess if there was a Manager's Union they might have stood together and said it is wrong to end the careers of these older workers and hire H1B's in their places last year. But since there is no union they just went ahead and did the illegal deed for their bosses. Guess who they will blame if they ever get caught. You are one curb away from getting thrown under the bus like the people you Rif'd.
Union employees are slobs
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/are-the-salaries-of-veriz_b_9815496.html?
All employees should read this article.
Agree 100% - from another manager