Training contractors everyday in Leesburg, hundreds per week. The cops sent the picketers to secondary entrance. I hope they can see from their spot the happy faces of men and women from around the country, thrilled to have a job with Verizon, even as a temp contractor. There will be more next week, and the week after that.
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Congrats @ize
Unfortunately I had to do what I had to do and other than crossing the picket line betraying my brothers and sisters in the process (something that would never happen in a million years), I'm moving on to greener pastures, just waiting on the background check the clear. The money and the benies were nice, but that's about it. Very unfullfilling for the most part and it's just too difficult to advance within that company unless you are a management pet and I have had enough of the B.S political structure..I wish all of my brothers and sisters well and I hope the union is victorious in this fight.
So much for brother and sisters for life and unconditional love and support ?
Management treats us fine. Its the sophomoric union stoolies who create trouble by vandalizing property in front of our houses, sending nastygrams to our neighbors, filming us, bitching about us on social media, etc. Thankfully the neighbors realize what a bunch of low lifes the union thugs are, and the police are watching. Must be a great group to be a part of, when they have to resort to harassment and lying in order to keep members. Oh well, not a big deal, the CWA and its minions have no teeth. Can't Win Anything. DERP
I worked in a CO during the last strike and several techs crossed the line, Not only they were not treated badly by the management but were practically treated like heroes. I believe one of them was promoted to supervisor couple of years later, so it makes me believe the retaliation is on the union side.
dsv, The retaliation is from management. They ride them hard. In past strikes union members that cross picket lines are treated like lepers. Not liked by management and the union.
I'm just curious, if a union member crosses what kind of retaliation are they facing ? I keep reading about retaliation yet so many others have crossed without any issues.
More baskin ridge shills. It's always some union guys wife posting about how hard it is
I go back and forth every hour of the day. I'm fortunate to have a small business, but this strike also hurts it. I cannot bid on some jobs not knowing if I will be called back to VZ in a few days. What I am certain about is that I will never see 30 years with this company so I darn sure am not going to go through this again in 2-3 years. I'd love to come back in a few weeks and then take the first package offered.
I've been looking for a job since before the strike. It's a tough market, but I've been over VZ for quite a while.
I think it has hit families hard. My husband has been a verizon tech for a little over 20 yrs and life was good. He made a decent salary with fair benefits, a pension, a 401K...then the rug is pulled out beneath him. There had been no strike rumors in his garage and they have worked w/o contracts before...this hit hard. We had a few thousand $ set aside, it was earmarked for something but when the paychecks stop you use whatever means possible to survive. In 4 weeks we have lost over $6,000...we made it through this 1 month but the future beyond that is dim. He will have to work multiple jobs in order to make a comparable living. For now, its eggs, kool aid, ramen noodles, generic bread, peanut butter and yogurt. We can't even talk to other family members knowing we'd fall to pieces. I don't understand why the union hasn't accepted arbitration. Do they really think the majority can afford this? He can't cross the picket line for fear of immediate retaliation. His own union rep has said he doubts they'll ever go back...yes, some weeks that forced OT was bad and he was loaned out a few times but its 2016, change is a'comin. We sit now, no medical insurance, no life insurance, our 401 k loan going unpaid...next month will find us dodging bill collectors and missing paychecks. We have 2 kids, 1 in college...he feels an obligation to come home and work to help the family. Admirable but come on who wants there college kid feeling that pressure? Go to mediation...or find a way to alloe those who need to cross the freedom and not the fear to do so.
Moving to costa rica in the fall if i cant get a job
There is still time. Accept mediation! Any TA will be better than the last, best, and final offer through mediation. Put the press on your Union to do the right thing!
I have been looking since day 1. After hearing Monday's phone call with the union, it feels like the strike will be never ending. I get it, stay strong and one day longer hype, but that doesn't pay the bills. We hardly ever get any positive feedback from the bargaining table or any update at all. the company is just going to wait us out, to break the union.