It's kind of sad that everyone on here NOT in the union is urging us to go back to work. The real reason they want us back is because they themselves are being selfish. Why would they care if we are out of work? Why would they care if I or my family have no insurance? I'll tell you why. It's because THEY are the ones who are miserable. I'm sure most of them never had to put in the hours that they are now, we have. I'm sure THEY never had to sacrifice like they are now, we have. I'm sure that THEY are the ones who are missing their families now, we have been there too. Unlike most of us union members, THEY are just realizing how this company treats its employees. And please don't respond with the line "I'm making so much money I'll be paying my mortgage in no time" because we union members get paid like that all the time. $2000-$2500 take home happens on the regular for us if you want it to and in a lot of cases is forced regularly. So spare us the bullshit and just admit that you guys are weak, tired and broken. You may be feeling that your personal life is suffering and I can assure you that IT IS! Just keep hoping that we will come back soon so your pain can be lessened and hope your family will understand. Remember money isn't everything. Maybe it's time to convince yourself to have some backbone and move on for yourself before it's too late for you.
22 replies (most recent on top)
I'm NOT in the Union and I am urging you to f---off and starve...
@1oea...right to work?
And THAT is exactly why I never went management.
I'm the spouse of a middle management worker. You really don't seem to know much about the middle management side of the business. My husband will have 28 years with the company in June. Even though he's considered management, he does not manage anyone. You don't really seem to realize how middle management is treated on a regular bases...nor hour many hours they normally work on the job.
Basically, to give the union job security, management has faced many layoffs over the last ten years. Since your contract prohibits layoffs on your side of the job spectrum, the company cuts management instead. Don't you realize landline is a dying industry? It's asinine to expect job security for a dying industry.
A few years ago, there was a five year stretch of time where management was laid off every quarter. Due to all these layoffs, management is currently understaffed and have to work similar hours to what they are doing now. During this strike, my husband is actually working less hours than he normally does. He's now off on Sundays. He is retained in his regular job for his assignment. Before the strike, if he wasn't sleeping, he was working for Verizon. He used to get on his laptop as soon as he got home from work. If he didn't, he wouldn't meet all his deadlines. There used to be over 30 people on his team. Now, 10 do the work that 30 used to do.
As far as healthcare goes, do you realize how great your healthcare is? I worked in healthcare until recently and saw the copays on your insurance cards. Having $50 copays for ER visits is unheard of these days. Our ER visit went to $50 almost 25 years ago. A few years ago, our copay for an ER visit went to $200. Plus, speaking of copays, do you realize that most people no longer have copays? Today, most Americans are on high deductible plans where they pay several hundred dollars to over $1000 per paycheck for insurance that doesn't even kick in until a several thousand dollar deductible is met. While working in healthcare, I had one patient who was only allowed to see each of her doctors three times a year. Beyond that, she had to meet a $35,000 deductible before her insurance kicked in. Yes, her deductible was thirty five thousand dollars. I saw her insurance card the year after the Affordable Health Care Act was passed. I'm betting the deductible for that same insurance is a lot higher now. If the rest of America knew the amount of your copays and the amount of your contribution to your healthcare, they would not support the union's position on this strike.
So, when the strike isn't going on, management are working long hours without pay due to being understaffed. They are forced to relocate not because the company is shutting down the building where they work, but due to "consolidation." Normally, management isn't treated that well by upper management/the company. During the strike, middle management is treated badly by both the company and the union.
Hku8PJB-1uno
Bitter anybody? It's people like you who that makes this world a sh--ty place to live sometimes. If you are on assignment because of the strike then deal with it! Take the advice of some of your colleagues and quit if you don't like it. After all it's your prerogative. Wishing I'll will on people just shows your true colors as a piece of sh--. Good luck in life and especially in the after life. Wahhhhhh
So then cross and get back to work. VZ is in it for the long haul and soon enough the miserable little Union piss ends will come back begging. Enjoy your weekly $300........ Until it runs out!
@ibdm here...I worked 140W last strike and I can assure you you've heard nothing compared to that. The inconvenience to companies who choose to serve us while they have lots of union workers is their problem and the union prerogative in my opinion. Uncomfortable speech is democratic, not unconstitutional.
@ibdm freedom of speech ends where assault begins. Speech is protected until it becomes assault on another. That's the issue, and that's why the union was barred from making threats of harm to a replacement worker or their family. I'm sure the innocent people in the hotels who have nothing to do with Verizon pressed this point.
In the battle of wills, the company has way more money than the union has to pay strike wages. Vegas odds say the company can outlast the union. Lowell is not Ivan and it's not the good old days any more.
I am not begging for you to come back. I started my EWA adventure today and came to a garage with lots of weary EWAers telling me they were in my boat a few weeks ago, and to just do my best, be nice to customers, and that's all anyone can ask. I support union members right to stand up for a contract that they deem as fair, and I wholeheartedly disagree with all of the in--nctions going on that seem to be a clear violation of freedom of speech and assembly. I'm just here to keep my job for now. I say stand strong for what you believe...I know if someone did something that I felt violated my constitutional rights I'd be pissed.
Hku8PJB-1acw
No sh-- Sherlock! It's the unions plan to inflict damage and stay out as long as necessary too. That's the point of a strike. Stop telling me what we know already and move on with YOUR life
Seems from some of the contemptuous responses that a nerve has been struck.
Hku8PJB-lzg
At least you are honest and straight forward. Now that's the kind of response that should be coming towards the union from outside people.
Hku8PJB-ugb
Im hardly miserable or frustrated. Just calling a spade a spade. Like was posted, I've been making money and was and still am ready for the long haul.
Hku8PJB-mov
Look at you calling me Einstein. Thank you.
If it's union people wanting to go back then they are free to scab. Just don't try to justify your decision to the rest of us who are willing to fight. If you didn't have the foresight to save then shame on you. If you weren't offered the overtime to save then it's probably YOUR job the rest of us are fighting for. You should go and feel bad for yourself by yourself.
Your second point just proved what I said. They want out because it sucks. Just like it sucks for the rest of us who are forced on the regular to do those shifts. So please give me more of your brilliant insight
I don't think people on here are begging for the union to return as much as they are begging union members to open their eyes to what is happening. After 5/20, VZ will deploy contractors on a temporary but indefinite basis. The company's plan is to hold out so long that the union members either quit or return under the last offer proposed by VZ. Either way, the company wins, although the victory will be on the backs of the EWA employees who didn't anticipate a strike that could continue on for many more months.
@wgm you know, it amazes me how arrogant union members are. You have this over-inflated view of how important you are. You're the little green piece of parsley on the dinner plate. It's fine that it's there, but no one misses it when it's gone.
Don't come back! I am loving what I am doing. Serving and saving our customers!
If the company sells wireline, they will get "ultra cheap backhaul" as it would be a requirement of the deal that the buyer let Vz continue to use it for wireless backhaul at dirt cheap prices.
I don't really care if you come back or not. You've made your bed, you can lie in it. Makes no difference to me today, and will make less difference to me tomorrow.
qbm...A recurring theme here is dump wireline. Who are they going to dump it to? Why haven't they done it already? Who can afford to buy what's left? The simple fact is that they make a TON of money in the big East Coast cities, and don't want to get rid of it. The union presence in these areas is not going away either. Lowell and his buddies will realize this soon, and do some real bargaining. Keep dreaming though.
Please sell us and watch the wireless profits drop like a brick. No wireline means no ultra cheap backhaul, no FiOS, and no place to dump all the company's bills.
I'm not in the union (and NEVER would be) and I hope you never come back. Let the union die like the dinosaur it is. Then we can dump wireline and quit being held down by your bloated salaries and benefits. No union means nothing but upside for wireless, so don't let the door hit you on the way out.
OP. I know you must be very frustrated and miserable right now. If you don't want to cross, then don't do it. It is your own decision. Nobody push you to cross. Don't yap like a grumpy old woman!
Two things, dummy.
Some of those Calling for the union to go back actually belong in The union.
Some people don't want to be forced to work 6x12 because of our decision to strike.
It isn't a hard concept to grasp Einstein.