Look folks, it’s not rocket science. The contracts are coming up again in 2019 and Lowell is all about cutting costs. All the costs that don’t affect him. And that means every senior manager will have been given a KPI in their performance review to reduce costs. Managers want their bonuses, and Lowell sure as hell wants his bonus. That means everyone on the front line should expect a big old cut in salary and/or conditions if you are lucky enough to have a role they can’t outsource to Asia.
Vz wants to break the Union. The only reason they gave in last time was because Obama intervened - they know if they hold out long enough people will start starving. It started with literally forcing wireline guys to sell wireless connections as a replacement so they can start getting rid of the COs and the field engineers. So they fully expect a strike next time, and they will prepare for it. And the preparation starts now.
Posted by @PtUH84o-1tws in another thread, hit the nail on the head.