Thread regarding Verizon Communications Inc. layoffs

@pot- if you seriously think the Verizon union is going to stop outsourcing, then you've been a load of crap. The only way to do that is to change tax laws. If you're holding out to stop offshoring, then I hope you get really comfortable on that picket line because you're going to be there til God comes.

Snu- jealousy is not why we walked out have you been paying attention to whats even going on with offshoring work and forcing people a long distance from home. They are important things not only to me but america itself when your talking losing jobs to other countries. It has nothing to do with what the ceo makes, other then the simple fact that you really shouldn't pay yourself 18 million and then cry poor thats the only reason that is brought up. Just like you should not change your company emblem when your going through contract negotions. Spending that money on letterheads, signs, trucks, shirts and so on . Its all just just a slap in the face

Adv- not true. As I've said in other posts, I don't care what you earn. What you earn or what Lowell earns doesn't affect me. I do my job and earn my salary and if I don't feel it's just, then I go do something else. I don't want you to lose anything just because someone else doesn't have what you do. I don't believe in the Socialist system. Earn what you can, and when it's not enough, find a new job. But to sit around crying in your diapers about corporate greed while you're sitting there wanting handouts is disingenuous and hypocritical. Jealousy isn't a reason to walk out.

Zyb. You say quit worrying about what the ceo makes and stop being jealous of other people. But the first time a union guy asks for a no lay off clause. Or free healthcare you would bitch and complain and say he dont deserve it. I guess minding your f!/$^ing business and stop worrying about what other people have or want doesn't apply to you. From a union brother who is twice as educated as you , just happened to work with my hands . sh-- happens sometimes

Zyb. You say quit worrying about what the ceo and stop being jealous of other people. But the first time a union guy asks for a no lay off clause. Or free healthcare you would bitch and cplain and say he dont deserve it. I guess minding you f!/$^ing business and stop worrying about what other people have or want doesn't apply to you. From a union brother who is twice as educated as you , just happened to work with my hands . sh-- happens sometimes

All the union guys I know are real buff and in good shape from manual labor. Most but not all of the people that sit at their desk all day are shaped like pears. Some of the men even have little titties sprouting up. Sitting at their desk all day eating funyuns and drinking company kool-aid !

@zyb lol you've been smacking that guy around all day. I kind of feel sorry him. I agree with you, but you can tell he's not able to play on your level. Take it easier on him. He's just a dumb union guy. You're going to make his head explode using big words and clear logic lol

Im not obese im just lil chunky .

@rmv so because you had a crappy life, you think everyone should as well? As I said, it's just jealousy on your part. You don't want anyone else to have something better than you. You're a Socialist. It all makes sense. You're a crybaby and the big bad CEOs have something you don't, and that makes you jealous. Well bud, it's time for you to put your big boy pants on and quit worrying about what someone else has and concentrate on your own life.

"Why are Union employees so obese but want free healthcare?"

It's not the union members but Americans in general. Take a trip to "socialist" Europe where most of the healthcare is done through a single-payer system and observe. You'll see nothing like the wave of obesity that has been killing this country for the last 50 years or so.

"And shouldn't they be required to stop smoking if they expect Verizon to bear the majority of their healthcare costs."

Smoking is a personal choice and still legal in this country. Smokers do pay more than non-smokers under the current healthcare plans offered by VZ.

"This is a serious post btw!"

If you say so.

"the reality is, they perform menial labor because they are/were not smart or motivated enough to get an education that would prepare them for a better job. "

Huh. No. You'll find thousands of people with a variety of degrees performing what you refer to as "menial labor" for VZ. The Phone Company had a lot of opportunities to offer at one time, and that's why people from various walks of life flocked there, making it an extremely diverse - in every sense of the word - place to work, which was both rewarding and fun at the same time. Sadly that's not the case anymore for the vast majority of craft and lower-tier-management employees alike.

What part of "I had to bust my assand work for everything i have ever received with no financial support from my family since I was the age of 16" do you not understand..that's hardly a socialist concept, and definately more of a capitalist mantra. I only support the union because rich entitled spoiled babies at the top are trying to gain more wealth for themselves and leave none for everyone else, which IS a socialist concept.

@pon- so in other words, it's just plain jealousy on your part. Anyone who has had a good life with wealthy parents is automatically entitled and spoiled. I totally get it now. This explains so much. And also demonstrates exactly the mentality that is attracted to the union. It's those of you who always assume you are getting the shaft because it's what you're used to. So therefore you flock to the union to be with other low-end people and all can sit around looking for handouts together while you complain about someone who has more than you. You are a socialist at heart. Now I get it.

"Let me guess, they were union employees too?"

Nope, you are completely incorrect, but nice try. My parents divorced when i was very young and I had to bust my assand work for everything i have ever received with no financial support from my family since I was the age of 16. I got myself through the schooling required to get the current well paying job I have now. I am the complete opposite of spoiled and entitled and have never received a hand out from anyone.

@mov- you're right, I did have it handed to me. And I'm grateful for it. But it's now up to me to use my education and make my way in the world. Im sorry you had it so rough and had parents who couldn't help you out. Let me guess, they were union employees too?

@ghd, sounds like someone has a guilty conscience. It's ok, just admit it, you had everything handed to you.

@rmg- So just because my parents paid for my college education I'm entitled and spoiled? Hardly. My parents owned their own businesses and the agreement was either I went to work for them after high school, or I went to college. Yes, they paid my expenses and my tuition so I wouldn't be burdened with debt right out of college, but now it's up to me to use my education and stand on my own. I'm grateful beyond words for their support and encouragement, but I'm not attached to their tit for the rest of my life. Study hard, work hard, and do my best in every situation are the things they taught me. Not to sit around and wait for a handout. So, think what you want, but entitled is true for one of us, and it's certainly not me.

@psv, It is just hard to justify 100k in debt for ANY degree, imo. There is no guarantee that you will land a high paying job to pay that all back once you graduate.l, especially in today's economy and how they are trying to push getting a degree everywhere with not so many high paying jobs available. If you didn't know, it's all about a race to the bottom for pay and benefits with many many employers nowadays. Just isn't worth the risk. Having a college degree doesn't always necessarily sheild you from competing against slave labor wages overseas. We are competing in a global labor market, are we not? Global labor market equals race to the bottom for us here in the U.S.

I find nothing wrong with vocational amd trade schools. College is still a great option today but only if you are looking for a job in STEM. It is just hard to justify 100k in debt for a liberal arts degree with a slim shot of a lucrative job for entry level.

@tsj, you are the exception not the rule, I have met many many spoiled and entitled college grads in my day. I can't see it as anything but a scam to put you into the financial black hole with student loan debt. I think your money is better spent going to a vocational or tech school which I did, the cost is much, much less with much less risk involved.

@RMG- I, personally, went to university full time and paid for it by working three jobs. mom and dad gave me their support and good wishes. one of the jobs I worked year round was a building maintenance position... I worked on high pressure ammonia compressors/chillers. When I wore the hat of pipefitter, I had to weld pipes well enough to handle 100psi. when I wore the hat of electrician, I worked on voltages from 12v-660v. oh, and by the way, I didn't receive any training before I was out in the field maintaining, repairing and installing these systems. I was motivated to get my degree so I didn't have to do this for the rest of my life. I've worked my assoff every day because I know the world rewards go-getters. is my degree worthless? no- it helps me earn more than what I ever could doing building maintenance. Mom and Dad taught me to be motivated, hard working, and industrious. do I feel entitled? hardly... I know that if I get lazy and stop being productive, the world will eat me and my family alive.

Man are there a bunch of judgmental self entitled pricks on this board, especially the ones with phony degrees of worthlessness who think they are better than everyone else because mommy daddy wiped their butts and paid their way through college. The way these people talk and act makes them sound spoiled and and entitled to me.

A serious post, really. Do I think all scabs are soft little mama boys,maybe.

Talk about all the union hate huh? Most of America is overweight including you clowns. Talk tough behind that keyboard.

HjZDipr-ntx Hit it head on, them not being able to attain education is key, world no longer depends on Verizon Wireline, anyone could do their jobs, these are not craft jobs, working in a coal mine is a craft job lol

because union membership believes they are entitled.

the reality is, they perform menial labor because they are/were not smart or motivated enough to get an education that would prepare them for a better job.

they then buy into the myth that the world couldn't exist without them.

once they believe that, then the world owes them all. regardless of cost or feasibility.

There fat because they have a sit down job all day