APRIL
All active members should have received their attendance award in their March 2nd pay check and their CPS award of $709 in their March 9th check. Any member who was on disability for more than 12 weeks in 2017 will receive a pro-rated CPS award and not the entire amount. If you have any questions on either of these bonuses then please call the Union office.
We have just received information on the Annual shareholders meeting to be held on May 3rd in Renton Washington. Members should begin to receive their proxy statements in the mail or online. The IBEW and CWA will look over these proxies and we will notify you of our recommendations. Please hold off on voting till we have this information available.
The Central Mass AFL-CIO will be awarding 6 $1000 scholarships and several $500 scholarships to 2018 graduating seniors of members of the afl-cio. These awards are lottery based and will be announced at the annual golf tournament on June 1st. Scholarships will be presented at the labor day breakfast on sept 3rd. All applications must be submitted by april 26th to the central mass afl-cio. If you are interested please notify the union office for an application.
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 1st 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 31st 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 31st 2019 and the remaining 25 will become vested on January 31st 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 31st 2020. Members will receive a grant notice in the mail from Verizon explaining this offering.
Beginning January 1st 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 16th 2016 through June 4th 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 16th 2016 through June 4th 2016.
Submitted by the Massachusetts Board of Review Unemployment.
2015-2016 Final Bargaining Report
May 30, 2016
After 48 Days on Strike 39,000 Members of the IBEW and CWA have a Tentative Agreement.
The Members within the IBEW SCT-6 Council took to the streets in order to force Verizon to negotiate a fair contract. Without your efforts and sacrifice we would not have achieved our goal. Nearly 11 months of negotiations have concluded in securing good jobs, wages, and benefits until August 3, 2019.
We have emerged from an ideological war with a corporation that believed that this was their opportunity to break the Union. The exact opposite happened. The Membership who took part in the Strike of Verizon in 2016 did not waiver. When faced with no pay - we stood tall. When faced with the elimination of our medical coverage the company thought that would be a crushing blow; believing we'd fall apart. When that didn't happen the Verizon brass realized that they had severely underestimated our Solidarity.
Strikes are not only for the immediate situation they are also to measure if those who currently do the work are employees first or if they are Union Members first. That question has been asked and answered.
This Membership has indeed earned the respect of the Labor movement. When times of difficulty arise it affords an opportunity for people to distinguish themselves. For character is not built. It is revealed. Only when placed in the midst of a dire situation will we discover what is within ourselves and each other. When we went on Strike April 13, 2016 there was a great amount of uncertainty as to how long the Strike would last. But what became apparent immediately, in a very public forum, was the fact that the Members of the IBEW and CWA were prepared. Prepared to fight for a fair contract. We stepped on the gas pedal from day one and never relented. Great, Great Job!!
Thank you to every Member on the picket lines. Thank you to every picket Captain for keeping your line strong. And thank you to every member of the IBEW Bargaining Committee.
Taking pride in the "I" or "Me" of things is sacrilege; being proud of the "us" and "we" of things is what gives commonality....And that Brothers and Sisters is what achieves Solidarity.
In Solidarity,
Myles J. Calvey Business Manager Local 2222
Rita Sweeney Business Manger Local 2313
Steve Soule Business Manager Local 2320
Craig Fields Business Manager Local 2321
Eric Hetrick Business Manager Local 2322
Steven Murphy Business Manager Local 2323
John Rowley Sr. Business Manager Local 2324
David Keating Business Manager Local 2325
Peter McGlaughlin Business Manager Local 2327
Highlights of 2016 Tentative Agreement
- Duration – Contract expires on August 3, 2019
- Wages – Effective Date at Ratification
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Effective Date
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The first Sunday after the Effective Date
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3% increase applied to all steps of the basic wage schedule
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The first Sunday following the first annual anniversary of the Effective Date
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2.50% increase applied to all steps of the basic wage schedule
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The first Sunday following the second annual anniversary of the Effective Date
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2.50% increase applied to all steps of the basic wage schedule
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The first Sunday following the third annual anniversary of the Effective Date
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2.50% increase applied to all steps of the basic wage schedule
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3) Ratification Bonus- A one-time, single Ratification Bonus payment of $1,000 will be paid within thirty (30) days after ratification.
- Pension Band Increases -
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Pension Band Effective Date
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Percentage Increase
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Ninety (90) Days After Ratification (“Pension Increase Date”)
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1%
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First Anniversary of Pension Increase Date
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1%
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Second Anniversary of Pension Increase Date
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1%
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- Health Care Reimbursement Card - $250 – to be issued in September 2016. All Health Care Reimbursement funds MUST be used by December 31, 2108.
- Job Security – No Changes.
- CPS Award - Minimum $700 payable in 2017, 2018, 2019
- 401(k) Plan Changes – Within 90 days of effective date -Employees contributions level increased from 16% to 25%
- Local Contract Language – No Changes.
TO MAKE DONATIONS TO ASSIST STRIKING WORKERS PLEASE DONATE @https://www.gofundme.com/UnityNewEngland
Any member not receiving their paycheck or paystub on Friday can file a complaint with the Attorney General
Click on this web address:
https://www.eform.ago.state.ma.us/ago_eforms/forms/npwc_ecomplaint.action
and fill out the complaint form.
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!
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Stay Safe: Storm Recovery Guidance
As we work to restore service to customers in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we must work effectively in emergency conditions – constantly focused on safe practices.
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To maintain the priority on safety:
Supervisors must make sure that Personal Protective Equipment and safety equipment has been provided, operational and calibrated.
All employees must follow all applicable Verizon safety procedures. Here are some critical reminders:
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Get Started Safely
- Do not attempt to drive through water on a road. Turn around and go another way.
- Do not work in areas until power has been restored and a representative of the power company has verified.
- Conduct a pre-job survey to identify hazards and unsafe conditions.
Check Electrical Hazards
- Use your 188A/FVD or the voltage detector provided for your work on anything that may conduct electricity.
- Treat all electrical equipment, wires and cable as if they are energized. Always test for electricity.
- Do not replace or repair downed electrical wires, even if they appear to be de-energized.
- Maintain the OSHA-mandated minimum approach distance to electrical hazards. (Distance is dependent on voltage. The greater the voltage, the greater the distance.)
- Use insulating gloves and blankets according to approved work practice.
- Use caution while working at residences, knowing that the homeowners may have generators powering their homes.
- Be alert, and look to see if downed trees are in contact with power lines and our facilities.
Use Chain Saws Safely
- Only certified employees are permitted to operate chain saws.
- Always wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment when operating chain saws.
- Do not use a gas-powered chain saw aloft.
- If you are in a bucket, you can use an electric chain saw. On a ladder or pole, you must use a hand saw.
- Always start a chain saw on the ground, do not drop start.
- Do not fell whole trees. Trim only to clear our cable.
- Never fill a hot engine with gasoline.
Questions? Call the Environmental, Health & Safety Hotline at 800-386-9639.
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In Memory of Steve Buckman
April 16, 2006
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