I just don't get the strategy here... I mean Verizon offered mediation a month ago that was turned down.. why do we now agree to mediation?? I seriously just do not understand what is going on???
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Derrr! Derk! Errr! DEEERRRBS!!!1!!!
Please don't expect strategery from da union. One day stronger. DERP.
Qar is jay beasley They put a rat in front of his house than he got moved to nyc
what does QAR stand for ?
I'm shooting for Independence day
Good news , atleast both parties will be at bargaining process which will be monitored by FMCS. None of us want this strike to continue. Loss to VZ means loss to all employees whether its EWA or Union. Hope something will happen by Memorial day !!!
Since the parties have agreed to a gag order we really have no idea what they specifically agreed to in terms of the mediator. Nonetheless, there will now be pressure from the Federal government to get this wrapped up in a reasoable time, so I don't expect there will be much tolerance from the government for either side to stand firm on its positions. I predict a return to work by Memorial Day.
It's not mediation.....The Government is lending a mediator to keep the negotiation process moving. This is in no way a binding mediation situation.
I love how everyone knows what's going on and is predicting one thing or the other... Truth is, no one does, except for those people who are currently in the meeting. It's clear that both sides need to budge and this is a step in right direction... Heck! They weren't even talking until this point. I would hope that both sides want to get back to their lives and stop this pissing contest that is serving nobody well...
"Eventually this will go long term, and one side (or the other) will cave."
Honestly, I'd prefer this outcome. So we know where we stand, for the first time in many years. Accepting the so-called LBFO is not an option for many of us. If the union caves in indeed, then it's time to put the papers in. That will take place on day #2, presuming that I don't get QAR'd and put on "10 days pending" on day # 1.
My guess is a two pronged on both sides. First the strike isn't going as well as planned on the union side and mediation can help them save face. Second VZ publicity is hurting and would be willing to accept less favorable contract terms. I think both sides just want this over.
I feel for the union on this but it's hard to bargain for a contract in a business unit that will be spun off in the next year or two IMO.
this isn't mediation. a mediator is in the room but won't have any influence on outcome. the reality is that this just allows the company to bring more term's on and lessen bargaining leverage
Call it whatever you want. Both sides have agreed to allow FCMS to assist to resolve the dispute. That is what mediators do and FCMS is the same entity that was used in the last strike and the same entity Vz offered to use 5 weeks ago and the union said no.
@jir - my guess as well. Don't think they come to terms, even under mediation unless union caves. I also don't see the union leadership willingly give up their office like that.
Eventually this will go long term, and one side (or the other) will cave. My bet is that the union caves, 2-3 months from now, and that this whole strike could have been avoided with the best FBFO.
We are not in mediation! Please read original DOL posting. Allison Beck, an experienced federal mediator who the parties agreed today would assist in the ongoing contract negotiations. Call it baby sitting over both parties so they they may play nice.
"Verizon lied"
Indeed.
"Mediation and arbitration are two different animals."
Correct. VZ would've never agreed to an arbitration after the debacle it suffered with the layoffs from 2002.
Mediation, on the other hand...makes the administration looks good - as if they were supposedly interested in the future of working class in this country - while being done in hopes of no unemployment benefits having to be paid to striking workers as well as the unemployment numbers not going up...
The end result? My best guess is that there won't be a meaningful agreement reached by the two parties.
The last time around federal mediators got involved and the union ended up with a ton of givebacks in the contract. Should the history repeat itself, CWA leadership will have voted themselves out of the office at a huge cost to membership.
@sdb - more wishful thinking and conjecture I see.
Great question. Verizon offered the exact same mediation through FMCS before the strike began five weeks ago. Now the parties have agreed to use FMCS after five weeks of lost wages and other strike related losses.
Mediation and arbitration are two different animals.
The union is about to get boned.
Verizon lied