2nd ANNUAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT 

We would like to invite everyone to our 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament to benefit our "2325 Helping Hands Fund".

Sunday October 20th 11am - 4pm

Knights of Columbus, 44 Circuit Ave Worcester

$50 per team of two

Cash Prizes - T-shirts - Raffles

Cash Bar -- Lunch provided

Please call the Union office or see your steward to register your team.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

The IBEW and CWA have finalized an agreement with the company, on a one time basis, to allow Verizon to grant 50 Verizon Communications restricted stock units to full time members and employees who are on the payroll on February 1^st 2018. This grant to members and employees includes members on company approved leaves of absence, including without limitation short term disability leave and accident disability leave, provided that the member returns to work prior to January 31^st 2020. The 50 restricted stock units or (RSU’s) will split into two vesting dates. 25 of the RSU’s will become vested on January 31^st 2019 and the remaining 25 will become vested on January 31^st 2020. At each of these vesting dates the 25 RSU’s will be valued at the stock price on that vesting date. At that time a cash value will be awarded to members minus any withholding taxes and other legally required deductions. The amount of cash that is paid  shall equal the number of RSU’s that vested on each of these 2 dates times the closing price of Verizon’s common stock on the NYSE as of the vested date.  There are no other options for these stock units. All payments under these award terms shall be made in cash. If you should retire you will still be awarded the 50 stock units on both vesting dates. The only members who will not be awarded RSU’s are members who are terminated for just cause and members who do not return to work prior to January 31^st 2020. Members will receive a grant notice in the mail from Verizon explaining this offering.

Beginning January 1^st 2018 the Company will change their disability administration vendor from Metlife to Sedgwick. Current claims will continue to work with Metlife and will automatically be transferred to Sedgwick. If you currently have an open claim then Sedgwick will send you a letter outlining anything you may need to do. For new claims in 2018 you will initiate immediately with Sedgwick and not Metlife. The number to file a claim will remain the same. That number is 1800 638-4228. There will be a new fax number. That number is 1 859 264 4384. Nothing has changed about the disability process. The only thing that has changed is the vendor for administration purposes

Board of Review decision reads as follows:

In sum, we conclude as a matter of law that the employer has established that the labor dispute caused a stoppage of work to the Company’s wireline business, within the meaning of General Law. We further conclude that the employer has not established that the labor dispute caused a stoppage of work to its wireless store in Everett.

The DUA’s determinations denying benefits to the six claimants employed by Verizon wireless are reversed. These 6 claimants are eligible for benefits for the weeks ending April 16^th 2016 through June 4^th 2016, if otherwise eligible.

The DUA’s determinations denying benefits to the remaining 4057 claimants are affirmed. These claimants are denied benefits for the weeks ending April 16^th 2016 through June 4^th 2016.

Submitted by the Massachusetts Board of Review Unemployment.

WHY WE WEAR "RED"

It has been a custom since 1989 for the members of the IBEW/CWA to show their solidarity by wearing red on Thursdays, but why and where did this day of red begin?

Well for one, it represents the color of blood that was lost in the strife to gain fair and equal rights for workers throughout the years. The day of red is also in remembrance of Gerry Horgan, CWA’s chief steward for Westchester County who died as a result of being struck by a car driven by the daughter of a second line manager as he worked a picket line in August 1989.

The red shirt brings together all of the IBEW/CWA members on one day a week. It gives a visual statement to management of the workers solidarity. The red shirt gives everyone a sense of unity and fellowship. The red shirt is also a visual reminder that checks and balances in the work place have to be maintained daily.

So next Thursday and every Thursday thereafter, if you are angered at the loss of jobs going off shore, WEAR RED.

Please contact everyone you know and ask them to WEAR RED. Talk to your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and members in your department. On Thursday, let's have a sea of RED in the work place. Just by wearing a RED shirt, or a RED dress, a RED hat, RED socks, a RED tie, or RED pants, you may be surprised with the results.

SO IF IT'S THURSDAY, WEAR RED!

 _________________________________________________________________________________________

 In Memory of Steve Buckman

___________________________________________________________________________________

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

LOCAL 2325

367 Burncoat St.

Worcester, Ma. 01606

Telephone:   508-853-2325

Fax:   508-853-2306

Informational Tape:   508-853-2311