June Report: 6/8/17
The company has posted a bid in the Automotive Equipment Technician title. Bid # 457285 is for 1 opening in the AET title at 23 Perry Dr Foxboro. The hours are 3pm to 11pm. You will be required to pass the Automotive Maintenance test. This bid will close on June 13th. If you are interested then you can apply in vzcareers in the about you section of the eweb.
The Unemployment hearings with the Massachusetts Board of Review have ended. All briefs have been submitted by all parties involved. We now wait for a ruling from the board. This appeal to the board of review was done on behalf of all members who filed for unemployment in Massachusetts during the strike. When we have information on a ruling we will update this membership.
The current IPP offer has ended. There were 140 surplus declared in New England with 11 in Local 2325. The company has reported to us that there were 28 accepted volunteers. 2 of those volunteers were from Local 2325. The accepted volunteers had an off property date of June 4th. The company has notified the Union that this was an IPP only event and there will be no further action in regards to this declared surplus.
The bids for the I/M positions in Boston and the Building Equipment mechanic openings in Springfield and Woburn have all closed. At this time we do not have any rewards for these openings.
A reminder that your 2.5% wage increase will take affect the last week of June. This was negotiated in the last round of bargaining.
Registration for dependent care reimbursement must be done by May 30th to receive benefits for the month of May. Gym membership forms must be submitted by June 30th for the first half of this year. There will be summer camp reimbursement for 2017. It will be $200 total for each child. All work and family information can be found @ newenglandworkandfamily.com. Any questions please call the New England Work and Family group @ 978-632-3275.
IBEW System Council T-6
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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