Why did the Union push the strike? They were negotiating and keeping their members paid with full benefits with contract coverage. Miscalculated move on the Unions part - leadership should be replaced. The Union has to look in the mirror on this one. They gambled with 40000 paychecks. There was no real reason to pull workers off the job - that is always the last option. You push for a company lockout -then arbitration. Membership should demand a vote on the 'latest and best" offer or go back to work. Union screwed the membership - this will go down as a huge Union blunder. I can tell you - real unions members that actually work for the Union halls - Dockworkers- Ironworkers - Plumbers - Steamfitters - Electrical -Carpenters would love to have those contracts problems.
18 replies (most recent on top)
Timing was right where most members were under threshold for free or cheap health insurance from obamacare
Yes they strike because of my primary circus and possible yahoo deal
Now go back to work union
The contract will not do anything about sweatshop conditions, you have to fight while employed
They called for a strike because the democrats wanted some news time during the NY primary.
Last strike the CWA came back early and made concessions when they had the company over the barrel. this time the company is ready for them, and they choose to go on an extended strike. Can't Win Anything. DERP
Reality -
You're in an interview (non union company) and are asked why you left Verizon? Whats your answer?
It's a sweatshop - or because you didn't like their last contact. Good luck with that one. I have news for you - non union company's will ditch that resume ASAP. You'll never find a job that pays what VZ does with that package with non management - non supervisory telcom skills. (not a dig on hard work - union vs management) You'll work as a contractor - make less money - pay more for less benefits - and you be further away from home. There are a few that have left and the grass is greener - most of those took an EISP - not RIF'd.
"maybe it wouldn’t have needed to be run like a sweatshop if your salary/benefit package wasn’t so outrageous. Verizon figures they have to get their money out of you."
it would be a giant revolving door and still be ran like a sweatshop if the pay wasn't that great. Most jobs that pay crap don't keep loyal employees.
The timing was awkward for sure. Why after 10 months? Anybody with common sense can see the new contract will not be as good as what the union was still working under while bargaining continued. Anybody with common sense can also see this is not the same bargaining situation that CWA has had in the past. Now going on 4 weeks without a paycheck, benefits are gone, replacement workers being brought in, EWAs getting better everyday. I feel that this strike will be for nothing in the end and the members will have lost all this pay and benefits and will still eventually sign a sub-optimal contract (if they are lucky).
Union leadership failed on this one. All Mooney can say is the buzz lines but that doesn't get anything done and it doesn't take care of anyone's family or pay the mortgage.
There are a lot of good people that are going to get really hurt by this by the time this is over who don't deserve it.
@RYX- maybe it wouldn’t have needed to be run like a sweatshop if your salary/benefit package wasn’t so outrageous. Verizon figures they have to get their money out of you.
Make sure you pull IBEW/CWA off your resume is your going to a non union shop.. Just saying....
Doesn't have to be a union company to be better! As long as it isn't ran like a sweatshop, its all good! Also having opportunites for advancement would be nice for once instead of working in favoritism clusterf@ck! There is life after Verizon, I promise you!
@vuu crappy offer?! You're truly insane. You won't get what Verizon is offering you ANYWHERE else. And at this point, you probably won't get this offer either..
What better union company would that be - sign me up? Do you have their web address
Warm weather? Why ask the question?
The membership was getting PAID as they were negotiating. To give that up and take food off the table / money out of the pocket is moronic.
I would rather go to work for a better company possibly taking a paycut than vote on the POS 1st, worst and crappy offer.
@fyk- concerned/confused union member out of a paycheck or tired/disgruntled EWA... what does it matter? this site's anonymous.
They wanted to strike during warm weather.
Why Ask This Question? Who are you?
The union is right this is about more than pay. It's for their survival. Union membership has been declining for years as people figure out they don't need them. Since 2008, they have had a friend in the White House but after Gov. Walker in Wisconsin faced them down they are scared. Animals are most dangerous when they are backed into a corner and the labor movement as a whole is an anachronism.