I will start off this report with the last report on the Verizon/Frontier sale. You may already know, but during the last month West Virginia signed off, and shortly thereafter the FCC gave their approval as well. The Company is reporting a cutover date of July 1st, and we do not see any reason that the sale will not be completed on that date.
As for the sale being complete on July 1st, we were able to contact quite a few of the laid off FNFT’s from last year to inform them of the multiple openings in the Frontier states, and from what I understand, several have taken positions already. We were able to let the laid off technicians take priority over other employees, even from other Verizon states.
The next issue we are trying to bring to a conclusion is an enhanced incentive to be offered to employees in Verizon Southwest, which includes Florida. I reported last month that we should have a meeting around the end of May or by the end of the first week of June. Tim Smith, who was the Vice-President for Florida found out he was being reassigned to Delaware and his replacement, Jeanmarie Milla reported to Florida this week. I met with Jeanmarie yesterday morning and we discussed several issues, one of which is an enhanced incentive for Florida. She told me that she knew there had been discussions on this issue, but wasn’t current of the status. We believe the delay in having this meeting is because of the management restructure that just took place. Late yesterday afternoon, Jeanmarie called to inform me that it looks like the Company will be ready to discuss an enhanced incentive in about 2 weeks. She also told me that the talks would include all of Verizon West, Florida, Texas and California. Last night I spoke with the CWA President in Texas and the CWA Vice-President in California to ask them to call their new area Presidents to see what they are being told. Texas called me back and told me that he was told the same information. I know there are a couple of members out there that are anxiously awaiting this meeting because they are ready to retire. I have been pushing for this meeting, as I stated last month, since late January. Our focus for this meeting is to try to make room for members that could be affected negatively in regards to a force reduction, by allowing members that want to retire get some extra money or benefits. This is still our main focus. I have heard several rumors again in the past few days that the Union, or rather me, denied the Company to offer any incentive for a couple different reasons. I don’t know where these rumors start, but I can assure you, whatever we can do to lessen the chances of any member being force adjusted or laid off, we are going to do. The positive part of this meeting being delayed, for whatever reason it has been delayed, is that we will not have any announced surplus until the meeting occurs. This is good news for any member that works in a classification that may be affected by a force reduction.
Even though we did not have any arbitrations scheduled for a hearing in the month of May, we were very busy with Pre-Arbs and post hearing work, like getting briefs ready following the last arbitration. Our next arbitration is next Friday, June 11th, and then we will take a break from arbitrations during the month of July, because of negotiations, but will resume again in August. We should have a confirmed date for our August arbitration shortly. Trying to get caught up on 3rd step grievance meetings is a lot harder due to so many outstanding grievances. We will continue to get as many scheduled in a timely manner as we possibly can throughout the rest of the year.
The Stress Committee, which consists of management and union members will be at the EAX building on June 16th from 7:30-1. They will have information regarding VZ Life and all the benefits that members have through this benefit. We will let you know what location they go to next as soon as we know.
Approximately 2 weeks ago, we were finally able to get the flier out to the membership for the Solidarity Day at the Trop, which is on Sunday, June 27th. The game starts at 1:40, I believe and remember the Solidarity Day is 1 day before we begin bargaining with Verizon on our new contract. You can download a copy of the flier from our website and the flier has all the information for you to purchase your tickets. We hope to see as many members as possible attend the game.
Jody Irish, who is taken the lead on our Adopt-A-Road project is still looking for some more volunteers. Information was put on our website last month and if you have any questions or want to volunteer, please call your Rep at the hall.
The new steward training, conducted by the International that was originally scheduled earlier this year has been scheduled again for Friday, August 27th. If you were scheduled for the earlier class, you will be notified shortly to make sure you are available on the new date.
From now until November, there will be plenty of political functions within our area if you are interested and would like to become more involved in local politics. I would like to encourage any member to at least check out what our COPE Committee does and how decisions are made regarding who Labor should endorse in races within our operating areas.
We will have a Chief Stewards and Officers meeting on Thursday, June 24th, beginning at 9 a.m. Our Negotiating Committee will be there as well so we can discuss the issues that will be brought up during bargaining.
I reported last month that we would begin negotiations on June 28th, and now I will report that bargaining will take place at the Crown Plaza, located at MLK and I-75. Our next scheduled General Meeting is July 2nd, but as you will hear from the Executive Board report, the July meeting has been moved to the second Friday, which is the 9th. At that meeting, we will discuss the proposals from the Company and the Union. Also, there will be a Bargaining Report Update on our website daily. If there is any news to report, we will report on the site. If there is no news to report, we will state that as well. As you hear rumors, and there will be rumors out there, please check our website before passing the rumor around to your sisters and brothers.
In Solidarity,
Robert
