Thread regarding Verizon Communications Inc. layoffs

Anyone? What type of strike has the CWA/IBEW declared this to be? This is not a "gotcha" question.

Strikes for a lawful object.Employees who strike for a lawful object fall into two classes “economic strikers” and “unfair labor practice strikers.” Both classes continue as employees, but unfair labor practice strikers have greater rights of reinstatement to their jobs.

Economic strikers defined. If the object of a strike is to obtain from the employer some economic concession such as higher wages, shorter hours, or better working conditions, the striking employees are called economic strikers. They retain their status as employees and cannot be discharged, but they can be replaced by their employer. If the employer has hired bona fide permanent replacements who are filling the jobs of the economic strikers when the strikers apply unconditionally to go back to work, the strikers are not entitled to reinstatement at that time. However, if the strikers do not obtain regular and substantially equivalent employment, they are entitled to be recalled to jobs for which they are qualified when openings in such jobs occur if they, or their bargaining representative, have made an unconditional request for their reinstatement.

Unfair labor practice strikers defined.Employees who strike to protest an unfair labor practice committed by their employer are called unfair labor practice strikers. Such strikers can be neither discharged nor permanently replaced. When the strike ends, unfair labor practice strikers, absent serious misconduct on their part, are entitled to have their jobs back even if employees hired to do their work have to be discharged.

If the Board finds that economic strikers or unfair labor practice strikers who have made an unconditional request for reinstatement have been unlawfully denied reinstatement by their employer, the Board may award such strikers backpay starting at the time they should have been reinstated.

If the Union is classifying this strike as an "unfair labor practice strike" to their Members (verse an "economical strike" like it appears to be on the surface by the NLRB's own definition) then WHY haven't the Unions entered a formal grievance with the NLRB stating that the Company is "not bargaining in good faith?"

@snq Why don't you still work for Comcast?

I am temp contractor w/orientation and 1st day of work Monday. They are paying $27.50/hr for 8 hr oeientation/field review, then I start in field Tuesday, $27.50/hr + $128/day per diem aND hotel accommodations. I have to work NYC for 90 days, then I can be deployed to Boston area where I'm from. They are paying up front for orientation, then at the end of day we can negotiate contract but interviewer said we can write the 90 day redeployment clause right in. We can also write in the regular $29.50 wage in for after the probationary period as well. Agreement is for 6-7 days a week temp contractor, at least 1 day off each week after 13 days, 10-12 hr days, can't be forced for more contractually. It's all contract work so the parameters will be all laid out before agreement/signature/counter signature. Pretty straight forward contract lingo. She did tell me there's no reason to think this will not be a long term engagement. I'm former Comcast install/repair/splicer.

The OP is correct. The company knows what they are doing and has very deliberate reasons for doing everything they've done thus far.

Barring something unforseen, they've paved the road to be union free by the end of May. They are still likely to have to retain union people when new jobs come open that they are suited for, but the union as we know it as about to disappear.

Well played, Lowell.

I guess we should just agree to disagree. Look at the proposals that have been out by the company since the begining and look how much the union has moved on them. The company hasn't moved on anything of importance but I guess that's why the lawyers are paid the big bucks. We as a union voted to strike and the law allows us to and gives us a lot of protection. I understand the hate and animosity coming from both sides. If you are an ewa person and are away from your family I feel bad for you. I hope this gets resolved soon for all of our sakes. At least this thread had some sort of respect from both sides which is more than I can say for most of the sh-- on here. I wish nobody any ill will. Just want to get back to work without all the bullshit. Good night

unemployment starting to get approved. that will help. hoping for a nice summer vacation now. hopefully they will iron something out by September.

@xqp -- good luck getting anyone to buy your story. Too much evidence everywhere disproving it. Even the quotes from the Union Leadership for the past year disprove your story.

In hindsight it's pretty clear that the company had this figured out. They knew exactly what they were doing with the last/best/final thing, and the union bought it hook line and sinker.

Jumping in at the 11th hour saying the strike is now suddenly about not bargaining in good faith isn't going to hold water with anyone. There is too much evidence everywhere.

Face it -- you guys got outmaneuvered. Badly outmaneuvered.

Sorry zow, but that doesn't hold water. Heck, there are posts all over this board and several others about this strike being about working conditions, and people having to travel more than the union wants, etc. That has been the union's mantra since Day 1.

It's too late to change it now -- there is too much evidence out there going back to last August. The company outsmarted you guys and you left evidence everywhere that plays right into your hands.

Hfv9rxF-sfg

You forgot to read this part. Not negotiating in good faith is an nlrb violation. Doesn't it suck when the truth is against you?

Unfair labor practice strikers defined.Employees who strike to protest an unfair labor practice committed by their employer are called unfair labor practice strikers. Such strikers can be neither discharged nor permanently replaced. When the strike ends, unfair labor practice strikers, absent serious misconduct on their part, are entitled to have their jobs back even if employees hired to do their work have to be discharged.

If the Board finds that economic strikers or unfair labor practice strikers who have made an unconditional request for reinstatement have been unlawfully denied reinstatement by their employer, the Board may award such strikers backpay starting at the time they should have been reinstated.

Hfv9rxF-sfg

Yeah you posted that already. Like I asked, where on the union side are you pointing out that we want anything you asked for? Not asking for raises, already proposed a bump in healthcare contributions. We are out because the company is not bargaining in good faith. So with your infinite wisdom, please explain how we are on strike for economic reasons. And btw the law states "purely economic reasons" So please try again.

Dear Union:

Buh-bye now.

Ouch sfg. That pretty much describes this strike to the T.

mxp: You and your coworkers best start getting your resumes updated. Look like you gonna go bye-bye.

@mxp:

"Economic strikers defined. If the object of a strike is to obtain from the employer some economic concession such as higher wages, shorter hours, or better working conditions, the striking employees are called economic strikers."

https://www.nlrb.gov/strikes

Yawn, you can keep saying what you want but there is no proof behind it. This conversation is getting boring. I'll leave it to all you brainiacs that choose to ignore the facts. At least I have an excuse to be on here. You guys must have no life considering all the time you waste on here. They always say ignorance is bliss. I guess you guys prove my point. And before you say I'm the ignorant one, please give a valid arguement supporting your side. How is this an economic strike? Until then goodbye and have a good night in your hotel room tonight.

Looks like there are a few union members here that are about to get a big surprise dose of reality.

Yes, the Union is here to stay. Maybe at Frontier or Century Link. It doesn't have the influence it had that existed years ago, and never will if it doesn't change its thinking. The last time I looked Union Membership at Verizon were not increasing.

Yes, they can hire permanent replacements since this is an economic strike. And those permanent replacements CAN replace you.

Hfv9rxF-zqf

If you think your telling the truth then I have a bridge to sell you. Keep wishing all you want. The union is here to stay.

Hfv9rxF-mxb

Well isn't that dandy. I know that my is a closed shop. Pretty sure pa, nj, ma are too. Those "company" temps or perm workers will be part of the union automatically. Now how is you theory sounding now? And like I already explained, they can not hire permanent replacements. They will lose in front of the nlrb and have to give us back pay and our jobs back.

Some people can't handle the truth. They always have to resort to name calling and be derogatory.

Call the Union now, and ask them what to write since they have to do all the thinking for you.

Lol. I will pay my dues like I always have. According to you guys we are over payed and have better benefits than the rest of the country. Hmmm, I guess my dues are paying off. Seems to me you are the clueless one.

Just food for thought, it isn't hard for temporary workers to become permanent works. In fact, it's pretty much just a clerical change.

Do you actually think all the people they are hiring are just for temporary work without the thought that they will become permanent as soon as it's legal?

Hello, is there anybody in there?

@qvq

OP here -

Please explain to your idiot brothers that at least this will tell how close your are to the end of the strike - good or bad.

I am now thinking the clueless union members are more like 98%

All of that is fine and dandy but it's better than not having a job at all. Listen you trolls, we voted for this strike. Everyone knew we wouldn't be getting paid. If people can't handle it, they will either cross or find another job for the moment. Stop telling us what we already knew. You just sound like a broken record. And why, if you hate us so much, are you here trying to convince us to go back? Either you are on ewa and want to go home or you are just an a--hole. Worry about yourself and shut the f--- up already.

@vdb

Your part of the clueless 97% membership. PAy your dues and shut up.

Really? Union knows best? To date, Associates have lost approximately 7K to 10K in wages (including health care) w/o the peace of mind of having health care.

The Company has already exceeded in saving enough money w/o giving any givebacks.

It's simple, do the math.

Hfv9rxF-spt

You forgot to copy and paste the part about a nlrb strike. Did you know that bargaining in good faith is a nlrb violation? Did you ever hear about direct negotiating? Well those fed ex letters Vz mailed all union members is a nlrb violation. Also last I remember the wireless people in the union have been stonewalled every turn they made in searching and trying to negotiate a contract. I know you think all union people are stupid or uneducated but you are wrong. The union also employs labor lawyers who know the law way better than any of us here and I'm sure they got their asses covered. Even I as a layman can understand basic laws and come to a reasonable conclusion. The big question is, does Vz care if it violates the law? Well if they dont they are opening themselves up to a sh-- load of liability. Do you think they are willing to pay every union member back wages + damages if they lose in court? Maybe with these numbskulls in charge but if I were a betting man I would bet on no. Again, if it were that easy to get rid of us it would have happened a long time ago. Sleep tight op. You voted for a strike, now you have to let it play out.

Impasse has not been reached because the Unions will "continue" to "bargain in good faith" and they know better than to let it reach impasse.

You Folks are going to be blindsided if EVERYONE doesn't get on the same page.

https://www.nlrb.gov/strikes

Economic strikers defined. If the object of a strike is to obtain from the employer some economic concession such as higher wages, shorter hours, or better working conditions, the striking employees are called economic strikers. They retain their status as employees and cannot be discharged, but they can be replaced by their employer. If the employer has hired bona fide permanent replacements who are filling the jobs of the economic strikers when the strikers apply unconditionally to go back to work, the strikers are not entitled to reinstatement at that time. However, if the strikers do not obtain regular and substantially equivalent employment, they are entitled to be recalled to jobs for which they are qualified when openings in such jobs occur if they, or their bargaining representative, have made an unconditional request for their reinstatement.

That's right, temporary. Even if a real impasse is declared, we would come back to the last offer that was presented. It would be a loss for the union but your job would still be there.

Using temporary contractors is all the company wants. It is not very hard for everyone to figure out even without brain.

They are still meeting. How could there be an impasse if they are still meeting. Use your brain.

We are not in an economic strike! Don't listen to company people. They are just trying to scare you. If it were that easy to break the union it would have happened many years ago.

There is no impasse. They are hiring temp strike workers. They can not hire permanent replacements. Just google the laws, it takes ten minutes to educate yourself. Stay strong

OP here -

Answers that I have gotten are vague or just flat out BS. You people need to understand how important declaring and impasse is when it comes to the NLRB. If an impasse is declared, then there is a temporary halt to good faith bargaining. This means that ULP cannot be charged. Since you are currently an economic strike, there is no guarantee of union jobs and they will be replaced be permanent workers.

Too many of you know that you are in the Union, but don't know what is going on with the Union.

So let me ask again - Has the Union given communication as to where they are in negotiations? Has an impasse been declared by both sides or does the NLRB recognize an impasse here?

I guess there will be no impasse or lockout. Crossing is welcomed. Those people who keep striking will be replaced by temporary contractors.

Based on the language I have been seeing, it appears it is an impasse without calling it that, and the fact they want to hire contractors to replace striking workers sounds very much like a lock out. They just aren't using that language to avoid liabilities and complications that they would face of they did such as paying out Unemployment Insurance. Very underhanded on the company's part.

Lockout of all Union employees including those that crossed begins May 20th. Paying unemployment is considered an investment for Verizon to rid ourselves of the union workforce.

Marc Reed