Why the h€|| is the union & Verizon not at the table negotiating around the clock? Workers have had enough. Many are now behind on their mortgages, their car payments, etc...They have lost daycare, lost medical insurance and I'm sure more than one is at risk of losing their spouse. Personally I have had enough of this...I want and need to return to my job. My wife is tired of me being home, the kids are tired of ramen noodles, our dog misses her treats, we are behind on a bill or two and collections @$$#○|€$ call all the darn time. You know its bad when you buy 99 cent 3 in 1 wash, generic bread, and lots of spagettios b'c they are BOGO...even worse when you tell the pharmacist you can no longer afford your medication. If either side cared at all they be at the table every day, around the clock, they did that in the last strike. Instead our union reps are attending parties, taking trips overseas to visit call centers- i'll be damed if i am going to now remain on strike while the union adds the Philippine workers to their list of demands. Everyone I talk to wants to go back, wake up Union! You are supposed to protect the majority and the majority wants to return to work before they lose everything. Most have lost income they can never replace...
28 replies (most recent on top)
I am an EWAer and I hope they work this out as much as you guys want to go back to work. Come on union get these guys back to work.
@tvs Yes, please address why the Union heads threaten and do fine people for not showing up, for free and on OUR dime mind you, to picket duty, but when people mention the hardships they're facing, the heads spout off to go deliver pizza. It's a little difficult to find an employer that will work around the Union's schedule. BUT I was out there at 6am today showing solidarity to absolutely no one! This whole thing is a joke and has completely turned me off to the Union way.
@zag Your chance for arbitration is gone. Company gave Union the chance and they said no. Offer is off the table. Sorry!
"We need binding arbitration because these guys will never agree."
Which the company will never agree to since it exploded in their faces in 2003.
Union, on the other hand, will not agree to federal mediation after getting screwed by it in 2012.
So, back to square one.
Thanks for support NNH (sincerely, thanks)...my family had $4,000 in savings prior to strike, that money was earmarked for our college student but tis life...feeling this was going to be an extended strike, we tried to head off potential problems by calling mortage company, car loan company, child's college, other child's sport...we have paid the bills for 30 days, it wasn't even till this week that we touched a credit card. The two collectors calling are the college and the mortgage company. Funny that mortgage company is calling b'c we are up to date but see they noted the strike and so day 2, day 3, day 4 they call to ask when the payment will arrive. My reply, no later than the 15th which is in our grace period, they are just freaking that i am still on strike. College...your talking a few thousand a month, do many of you have that $ sitting around and if you do, what gets paid first? We're waiting for deferrment but really don't want to head down that road. Things come up, you don't know me and I certainly don't know you. There are ongoing medical issues here, college, sports...we now pay triple to get health insurance, lost company life so that is an extra $72 added in. I have a fairly big garage and all but 1 of us (our union guy) are worried, we all have kids, we all have bills, we all want to return to work. Anyway...bottom line, the union needs to hear from everyone, even on this site beginning a week and a half ago, there are alot of guys (and women) biting their nails. The union isn't going to get a better offer. I will have to keep taking a day job here and there...if we don't go back soon we aren't going back period.
I need to amend that last comment. We need binding arbitration because these guys will never agree.
If the union leaders were not getting paid, they might not be negotiating in their members' best interest. Their own personal circumstances might play some part in their negotiating.
Negotiations around the clock? NOT. The unions and the company have only recently sat down for sub-committee topics only concerning call centers & call routing. Last bargaining sessions were May 2. Next session is tomorrow May 16 in Rye NY. Focus again is call center issues & retiree healthcare. Boston IBEW 2222 has a firm commitment to the 80,000 VZ retirees. This is a union. Seniority eats first - newbie eats last. I am convinced if a mediator is not appointed by the government that we will lose.
@TVS contract is the same if ratified on May 20. Not by a long shot? define that? Union using you
I concur. While hubby is on EWA we have had one company call endlessly because he forgot to pay them. Creditors do call if u miss one payment. The simple fact is that most Americans are two short paychecks away from losing their homes. Most don't have savings. Thousands of people are hurting. And think on this: what about the two VZ paycheck households. I can't imagine how worried people are. I also don't think Vz is going to back off their last offer. That would be a bad precedent to set as a company. The real question is what is the end game for the union. People are slowly crossing the line but I think ego and bs solidarity is going to cost these striking families way much more than they think they are holding out for.
"the contract "being shoved down your throat" is the same contract you have now. "
No it's not, and not by a very long stretch.
"why does union leadership get paid during the strike?. "
Because they're the ones still working during the strike. If they screw this one up, they'll be voted out of the office.
Any more nonsense from the company shills that needs addressing for the umpteenth time?
The OP must think that Verizon gives a $hit
just simple question.
why does union leadership get paid during the strike?. Shouldn't they share the pain together?
I am not a union but just it makes me curious.....
Face facts. If you don't accept this contract, you're not coming back. There's nothing to wait out. Contractors will be retained for as long as it takes for reality set in. Reminds of Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin to appear.
I'm not behind anything. I'm prepared no matter what happens.
Easy to see this strike is more about the union leaders and the Verizon management going at each other. Unfortunately, the workers are caught in the middle of the feud and will suffer. Union leaders and management still get paid. Time for workers to pressure union to find a quick solution. It has become apparent that the union no longer has the clout it once did (news media doesn't cover the strike). Must face the fact that wired side of business in declining and will continue to decline.
I for one will never cross the line and will ride this strike right till the end- I'm just going to go back ( if we go back), get my 3 years in and retire- between the managers on EWA's and the blatant disregard they have show the union employees, exactly what type of workforce do they think they are going have if this ends? Good,luck with that.
Well, the company provided its last, best final offer- what "negotiating" is there to be done- I think the union is waiting for it's membership to start getting into a bad way and that will make it easier to accept the concessions we all know are coming- most of the bargaining has been 1 sided with the union constantly passing compromise proposals.
Speak for yourself. Most of us are fine and won't go back without a contract exactly like what we have now or better.
the contract "being shoved down your throat" is the same contract you have now. Read It! and think for yourself. You are a pawn being used by the union to save their business
The union is the the one that has refused to work.
If you do not want to work, you should not eat.
How does the union head care about there fellow man?
Seems more of this is on the union, then VZ.
Fat cats sleeeeep...
OP you are so full of sh--. after 1 month out oyu have collections people calling you already? BS. You had months of warning and tons of forced OT money to bank. Yes, guys want to go back, but ONLY with a good contract. Not the one being shoved down our throats.
there is a guy in my garage in the same boat. the difference is he is out working 3 part time Jobs making it happen, not complaining on a lay off board.
If sunday is going to be part of the work week i'm going to miss church
Hang in there brother, most of us are in the same boat. As my mother used to say, "this too shall pass".
Dude believe what you want but I am a Union employee, 20 years with the company...this was a great vacation at the beginning but we're going into 2nd month and we are no further along...i have applied for a bunch of jobs but never realized how bad the market was...besides the $10-$15 an hour I can make at a replacement job is nothing compared to my Verizon salary. I am just sick over the whole thing and want to go back to work (w/o having to cross the line, which un good faith and respect i would never do.)
Morning Lowell, quick post before you head to church and claim to care about your fellow man? Say a few prayers, throw a little money in the plate, and you'll get right in to heaven.