Regional Bargaining Report # 47

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

CWA District 1/IBEW Local 2213 and IBEW New England Regional Committees met with the Company yesterday and today reviewing the Company’s counter proposal. After being at the bargaining table for over 3 ½ months, the Union is still waiting for the Company to present a serious proposal. They presented the Unions with a 75 page document that still includes:

No mention of a Wage Increase

Eliminate Pensions:

• Eliminate pension accruals. For all current employees, your pension would be frozen as of December 31, 2011 and no new employee would receive a pension.
• Eliminate the Pension Cash-Out option.
• Modify the 401(k) Plan and reduce the Corporate Profit Sharing (CPS).
• Eliminate Sickness Death Benefits

Eliminate Job Security:

• Eliminate the Job Security Provisions for all employees.
• Eliminate the Movement of Work Protection
• Eliminate the 35 mile transfer provision
• Eliminate provisions in Force Adjustment Plan
• Eliminate New Contracting Initiatives agreement – which would allow them to increase the level of contracting

Eliminate Benefits:

Eliminate the current health care, prescription, dental, and vision plans and offer plans with high deductibles and premiums.

Active Employees – Annual

Premiums range from $1026 for single to $4580 family

And

Increase deductibles in network to $850 single - $ 2250 for family

Increase deductibles out of network to $1,000 for single - $3,000 for family

And

Increase Out of Pocket Maximum to $2,000 for single and $6,000 for family

And

Increase co-pays for specialist to $25.

And

Require co-pays for X-Rays and labs

And

Reduce most in network coverage from 100% to 80%

Reduce most out of network coverage from 100% to 60%

Retirees – Non Medicare Eligible – Annually

Premiums Range from $1026 for single to $4480 for family

And

Increase deductibles in network to $850 single - $ 2250 for family

Increase deductibles out of network to $1,000 for single - $3,000 for family

And

Increase Out of Pocket Maximum to $2,000 for single and $6,000 for family

And

Increase co-pays for specialist to $25.

And

Require co-pays for X-Rays and labs

And

Reduce most in network coverage from 100% to 80%

Reduce most out of network coverage from 100% to 60%

Retiree – Medicare Eligible Annually

Premiums range from $181 for single to $1970 for family

And

Increase deductibles in network to $850 single - $ 2250 for family

Increase deductibles out of network to $1,000 for single - $3,000 for family

And

Increase Out of Pocket Maximum to $2,000 for single and $6,000 for family

And

Increase co-pays for specialist to $25.

And

Require co-pays for X-Rays and labs

And

Reduce most in network coverage from 100% to 80%

Reduce most out of network coverage from 100% to 60%

Eliminate Other Benefits

• Eliminate accident disability benefits.
• Reduce Sick Time.
• Eliminate All Short Notice EWD’s.
• Eliminate the next Step Program

Verizon seems hell-bent on destroying the middle class jobs CWA and IBEW have fought so hard to create over the last 50 years of collective bargaining.

The battle is far from over. The Company must hear us loud and clear. We cannot allow this Company to strip our contract.

Contact your steward to get instructions

on our next activity

It’s time to fight back!

Remember to wear RED!!!

Now more than ever we need to mobilize!

Mobilize! – Mobilize! – Mobilize!