Honest question here. What was the rationale behind the Union's decision to turn down using a federal mediator prior to the work stoppage? Wouldn't this be a viable way now to get everyone back to their normal jobs while a 3rd party helps push negotiations along?
17 replies (most recent on top)
Why mediate when we can strike and spend our own savings instead of Vz's money while we look for a new job that pays less with worse benefits. What's so hard to understand here?
Federal mediator is in the company's back pocket, so it only makes sense that they didn't want to use a mediator.
The answer is better explained by another question. How do you meet halfway when the company's position is to obliterate you?
It was a smokescreen statement by verizon to stop union to go thru with the strike and union look like its their fault
@sxn-my savings is just fine because I was good with my money and horded alot, thanks for your concern. Also I will have absolutely no issues landing another job, strike or no strike. I'm in a good spot unlike others.
@vuf: You are exactly right. It's much easier to get a job offer when you're employed, not to mention you have much more leverage to negotiate a larger salary and better benefits when you currently have a job.
People who interview for jobs when they're unemployed are at a huge disadvantage and many times are unfairly labeled as less successful. It's an unfair type of discrimination because hiring managers and even HR recruiters have the perception that if you're unemployed it must be because you were fired or laid off, or even worse that you quit on bad terms with your previous employer.
The geniuses leading the CWA have put these union folks in a terrible situation.
jgv - you and the others could have made the decision to go to work for a different company while working for Verizon and that way you would have a check coming in.
It's pretty sickening how the union has caused you to have to do it with no paycheck and no healthcare. I truly hope someone that the union has screwed around takes them to task for it legally.
Lots of people look for other jobs, and you owe it to yourself to look for better opportunities. But most people are able to look while they earn a living which gives them more time to look for the best fit and not appear desperate in job interviews. The union took that away from you and now you're forced to find something quickly and not wait out for the best job.
How much income and savings will be lost before you find the greener pastures? Smarter play was keep working and earn a paycheck while you find a "better" job. Good luck.
"Gonna get screwed worse without one this time. Bad decision."
Many of us are prepared to move on/work for better companies if that is the case. It isn't the end of the world and isn't like Verizon is the only game in town.
@NWB- indeed. If they accepted mediation, VZ would have had to make some concessions on their “last, best, final” even if they were just a token to show that they were being open to negotiations. Now, it’s take it or leave it.
Gonna get screwed worse without one this time. Bad decision.
The union got screwed using a federal mediator during the last strike in 2011, they didn't want to make the same mistake twice. The federal mediator tends to favor corporations in almost all cases due to the bribes and payoff structure that exists in this country known corporate lobbying of government. The employees are never favored in these cases because "he that has the most money" wins. Fairly certain that is how Verizon got out of paying taxes as well. The union made the correct decision.
All political
so basically it's a fear that the federal mediator wouldn't rule fairly?
"They didn't want to be bound by the mediator decision, which would have likely to be in Verizon's benefit."
This. Just it was the last time around.
They didn't want to be bound by the mediator decision, which would have likely to be in Verizon's benefit.
Easy..........than it shows how week our position is when a third party tells our side to be reasonable on issues we don't want to be reasonable on