Diary of a Union-Busting Campaign

Learn how Verizon is trying to stop workers from organizing a union. And how Verizon workers are standing together and fighting back. Jump to page 1 to follow the campaign from the beginning.

August 28, 2007

The Ball's in Their Court

About 60 VZB techs just wrote a letter to the President of VZB, John Killian, and VP for HR Bob Toohey.

In the letter, the techs ask that management stop the practice of hiring techs from the outside at a similar -- or even higher in some instances -- rate of pay than the techs who have been with the company for years. The letter also asks that the company refrain from hiring outside contractors to replace techs who leave.

VZB has claimed it is a new company that from now on will listen to the concerns of the techs. Let's see if they stop these practices.

The letter is simply asking that the company do what is obviously fair. The ball is in Killian and Toohey's court.

Update: As of late September, still no response from Killian or Toohey.

August 24, 2007

Management Is Losing Its "Angel Wings"

The "angel wings" that management put on a few months ago as a result of the union campaign seemed to be falling off. True, many techs received well-deserved raises as a result of the union campaign, but now management seems to be going back to their familiar routine.

We have heard that there is rampant favoritism in some areas, and in others newly hired techs are making a few thousand less a year than techs who have been on the job for over 7 years! There is more contracting out, poor training on new technology, and in some instances, tech IIs are being forced to train new hires who make more than the techs IIs!

(Sounds like someone may need a union! :) Management says VZB is a "new company" and promised to listen to the techs' concerns. Let's see if this is true.

What can be done about this?

In VZ "core," the workers can't be treated this way. That's because they have a union, and fought to ensure a fair deal for themselves. And VZB will have a union too. It is certainly taking a long time, but we will win when we keep up the pressure. CWA and IBEW continue to work with our political allies and our 85,000 members to pressure the company to do the right thing. And VZB techs have also kept up the pressure on the company by publicly confronting management to respect the majority who want a union in the Northeast.

Here's the latest letter from a mayor in Massachussetts demanding that the company recognize your union. There are dozens of these letters flooding CEO Seidenberg's in box. These are customers of VZB -- Seidenberg had better listen . . . .

August 6, 2007

Unions Make the Difference

"Unions like yours make the difference between an economy that's strong and fair, and an economy where working people are left behind. That's why it's so critical that Verizon and other companies recognize the right of workers to chose a union through majority sign up. Over 500 Verizon Business techs have made this choice to have a voice in the workplace. It's time for the company to respect their right to have a union and I join you in urging Verizon to recognize the union immediately."

-- U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, in a message to VZB techs during Aug 2nd Rally in Boston.

Another Rally Embarrasses Verizon

A major rally was held on Aug 2nd in Boston. Verizon union members were joined by VZB techs to pressure the company to respect the majority who have already signed up for a strong union.

A great YouTube of the rally can be found here.

VZB tech John Elia spoke at the rally, and was joined by a group of other VZB techs on stage. Here's a picture of YOUR COWORKERS at the rally. Do they look scared to you? It's our unity that will always protect us.

August 3, 2007

VZB's "Angel Wings" Are Wearing Out

Remember when Bob Toohey and other management types paraded all over the East Coast promising that they were a "new" company, and things would get better? Well, it's business-as-usual for the good 'ole MCI/Worldcom crew. We knew that hanging back for a few months would show that VZB management couldn't keep their "angel wings" on for long. Their "angel wings" are starting to show some wear.

Here are some examples:

Management has begun hiring techs from the outside and paying them more than techs from inside the company. Despite showing loyalty to the company, many tech IIs are being passed over for promotions in favor of techs hired from the street. How is that showing respect?
Favoritism has gotten so bad now that in at least one area, management is making techs shoulder most of the work so that their "favorite" hardly has to do any work! Is that showing respect?
Contracting out seems to be on the rise in some area of the company. This weakens our job security, and is a threat to our livelihoods.

Had enough?

Wouldn't it be nice to be respected at work? Wouldn't it be nice to not be left behind as they hire people off the street for more money? We have the power to put a stop to this if we work together. Let's get going!