Thread regarding Verizon Communications Inc. layoffs

Apologies if that is confusing. I assure you that I do. It was a poor attempt at humor on my part -- I.e., making a light-hearted joke about the number of posts furiously debating the difference between an agreement and a gag order -- as if it mattered.

" I understand the purposes of the "gag" whatever-it-is."

OP does this mean you do or don't understand? It's like saying I know what that thingy-ma-jig is called.

Lol they just don't want to pay the unemployment since all they have ate iou's. And also to not have to include them in unemployment statistics.

I guess what I want to know is this:

If the government has no authority to compel either side to negotiate when they clearly don't want to, and the unions have already said they don't want mediation from this exact person, what type of threats is the Secretary making and what kind of pressure is he applying here?

It sure looks like the Secretary is overstepping his legal authority. Doing it in secret makes it look even worse. Anyone dare to make a FOIA request?

"I am from the Government and I am here to help you" just doesn't cut it in this case. There are tens out thousands of people who are suffering. They deserve to know what their government is up to.

Officials stuck their heads up their butts and can see no sunshine.

so, the upshot is that the build up cannot be seen as an indicator of how talks are progressing, and no change can be expected until ratification.

@gbi-

“If an agreement were looming one would think they'd stop that or slow down.”

It makes no difference to Verizon if the union returns, or if their positions are filled with contractors.

Verizon cannot slow down or stop. Doing so would present the union with an opportunity they can take advantage of.

To achieve their goal, which is to get back to normal ASAP, they cannot assume at any point that the talks are concluding until an agreement is signed and ratified.

Continuing building up the replacement workforce not only gets them ready for a time when it is appearant the union is not returning, but it also keeps pressure on the union. The union knows they cannot stall or slow down the talks without risking losing it all.

yes I agree. My kids deserve to know what is happening to there daddy. I can tell you Verizon employees aren't happy they are over there and they wish this was done and over. and I am sure the union employees feel the same. Yes the extra money is good but it doesn't mean anything if families are separated.

OP I do not understand the purpose of the gag agreement. If it was to stop propaganda from both sides they could have agreed to issue a joint update daily instead of a black out. It really pisses me off.

The government asked for mutually agreed silence to focus on the negotiation, not scoring points and attacking. Both sides agreed.

For 10 months those two parties quietly discussed this without the hoopla as they were entitled to do. It only became public when both sides wanted to use the public to bash the other side, or if one side had to defend. We know what each side wants already. There isn't much to discuss or reveal until they've made progress or determine they have irreconcilable differences. Nothing about the mediators role makes anything public record.

All the while VZ keeps sending new folks to VA or the field which suggests they're in this for the long haul. If an agreement were looming one would think they'd stop that or slow down.

Govt can't compel either side. They are just trying to help but if there is no agreement this could still continue for a while.

Lowell and Shamwow may want to hold out for months longer but the government will move this along.

Go read Lowell's remarks from Boston this morning. He basically said that he's not worried about install issues and customer churn and he's willing to spend as much as it takes and hold out for months to get the deal he wants. He wouldn't say those things publicly if the BOD didn't back his plan.

Completely agree. 100%!!!!

Thanks! Completely agree.

Great questions, good points. Well written and polite.

Totally agree.