Diary of a Union-Busting Campaign

May 2, 2008

Ivan Seidenberg Confronted at Verizon Shareholder's Meeting

Ever dream of standing up in front of the CEO of Verizon and confronting him on how badly you are treated? Well, yesterday, Mass. VzB tech David Rogol got the chance! He flew to the annual Verizon shareholders meeting and did just that. He did this on behalf of all VzB techs who want to join the union. The following is his report back. Please bring this to work and share with the many VzB techs who don't get these emails.

My Confrontation with Seidenberg
by David Rogol

Forfeiting three vacation days with my family, I flew to the Annual Verizon Stockholder's Meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 1, 2008.

The whole point of the trip was to have an opportunity to stand behind the mic during the Q&A period and ask Seidenberg some very pointed questions.

"In our current culture of corporate greed," I said, "where management considers me just another 'body' instead of a 'human being,' I'm convinced that, at Verizon, the only way my family's livelihood will improve is with a union." A spirited applause then broke out from stockholders and about 30 Nebraskan CWA/IBEW members present. "Mr Seidenberg," I continued, "I'm here on behalf of the hundreds of Verizon Business techs who are fed up. I'm here on behalf of hundreds of Verizon Business techs demanding a voice at work. Our morale is low. Our frustration is high." Then I posed the following two questions:

"After all we've been through at Worldcom, why, compared to our unionized counterparts, does Verizon continue down the low road compensating us Verizon Business techs with considerably lower pay and lower benefits? What are we? Some sort of third class citizens?"

"Why don't you take the high road, put all this increasing animosity behind us, and recognize our union based on the card check process? After all, Verizon allowed a simple card check with customer service reps in 2000. Why not us?"

Looking at me straight in the eye, Seidenberg's canned response, as expected, was that he would like us to obey the law and follow the NLRB process because he doesn't want "to take the right to a private vote" away from the workers.

After the meeting was over, I wished I offered to have the American Arbitration Association come in and conduct a fair and private election. But I'm sure he'll be reading this report (hint, hint, Ivan). After all, if that's his only concern then LET'S VOTE!  The IBEW's Dave Reardon from Boston then came to my rescue reminding Seidenberg that it is within the law for Verizon to recognize us based on card checks.

Afterward, many elderly stockholders who, curiously, find these meetings fun to attend, approached me and were very supportive of our efforts to obtain union recognition. They were disgusted with how disproportionate our wages are in comparison with the CEO's compensation.

The trip was very productive. The board of directors heard our case. My hope is that Verizon will reverse this antagonistic relationship with us, recognize our union, and let us get to work making this company more profitable for us all.

April 30, 2008

Verizon Contingent Confronts CEO Seidenberg at Verizon Shareholder Meeting

The following is a message from Charlton, Mass VzB tech David Rogol. He will be part of  a Verizon contigent that will confront CEO Ivan Seidenberg about his union busting at Verizon Business. Please wear RED this THURSDAY to support brother David!

Message follows:

Brothers and Sisters,

I'm forfeiting three vacation days and am on the way, with my American flag, to the Verizon stockholder's meeting in the Cornhusker state (Nebraska) on Thursday. 

Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity to peel the husks away and ask Seidenberg a very pointed question that gets right to the heart of the matter. 

I hope y'all will wear red on Thursday to show that we're all together in our fight for better pay, benefits, and job security.  

Will keep you posted,
Dave Rogol

February 29, 2008

VZB tech testifies in front of NY City Council

Watch a 3-minute video of NYC VZB Field Tech Virginia Arce testifying yesterday in front of the Labor Committee of the NYC Council on VZB union busting.

Virginia exposes the company's anti-union behavior, including all the emails we are getting, all the harrassment, all the lies. Virginia offers powerful testimony, demanding that here in America, Verizon should respect its workers' wishes.

The NY City Council is about to pass a resolution in support of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) -- a bill in Washington that would bring back fairness to our current broken labor laws.

After hearing Virginia's testimony, Council Chair Joseph Addabbo, Jr,. promised get the City Council to pass a resolution in support of EFCA, so workers can once again join unions without fear or intimidation.

Watch the latest youtube of yet another VZB tech who is standing up to Verizon's union-busting!

In the next In the Loop: More on the flag issue, and how VZB is scrambling to "spin" their decision to remove Terry Skiest's flag in Massachussetts.

December 19, 2007

Fuzzy Math by Diefenderfer?

VP for Global Operations Jeannie Diefenderfer held a meeting today in lower Manhattan. Dozens of VZB techs came to this meeting, as did VP Jim Rush, Al Miller, Kathy Ernst, and Rob Gramlich. A few Verizon brothers and sisters also showed up and handed out flyers on the union's arbitration on VZB, and also handed out Christmas cards to Verizon CEO Ivan "The Terrible" Seidenberg demanding he recognize our union of VZB workers. The Christmas cards show pictures of VZB techs.

A steady group of VZB techs were also hanging out with their Verizon Core brothers as Rush and company entered the meeting (and were given the union literature). Jeannie Diefenderfer came out and she was told that this was one company, and she should recognize the union of VZB techs. She basically ADMITTED it was one company! It was great to see so many VZB techs standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their Verizon Core union brothers WITHOUT FEAR as VZB top brass came to the meeting.

At the meeting, Diefenderfer told people to "do the math" before deciding whether or not they should go union. On that, we agree! A second grader could do the math! A real pension, no-cost health plan, a living wage, and a no-layoff clause makes the math fairly simple to do! In fact, on this date, in 2001, Verizon laid off over 3,200 union members. And thanks to the power of the union, 100% were offered their jobs back (with back pay). Perhaps Diefenderfer can do the math on that?