I have just returned from the Verizon Shareholders Meeting in Little Rock AR. The three management proposals were passed and all seven shareholder proposals were defeated.
Robert and I joined with a large group of CWA members and several IBEW members before the meeting to informational picket and distribute flyers opposing the sale of verizon properties to Frontier. It was great to see the turnout from all the different unions and the support from the public.
The best news from the shareholders meeting was Ivan Seidenberg stating on record that Verizon "has no plans to sell off any other wireline properties." Ivan also stated Verizon expects to have a major presence in the 12 states were they will remain.
The last week in April, Robert Prunn, Danny Alfonso, Josh Saladino and I attended the IBEW Broadcasting, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications conference in New Mexico. The conference started with a meeting of the Telephone Coordinating Council II, which is made up of all Verizon IBEW Locals. I am honored to report that Robert Prunn was elected as Vice-chair of the council. This is a real benefit to the members of our local, as we now have a strong voice on the council. Myles Calvey was re-elected as Chair. Ed Starr as Recording Secretary, and Mary Jo Arcuri as Treasurer. Most of the locals were reporting the same issues with Verizon as we are facing here.
During the BMT conference we were addressed by International President Ed Hill and Secretary-Treasurer Lindell Lee on the future of the IBEW. We learned what we need to do to organize the industry and be the best at what we do. We heard a great presentation by Professor Richard Levins about how organized labor is the answer to turning around the recession we are in now.
We also learned about the future of the Telecommunications industry and how it's changing, and about a different type of organizing program that is having great success with satellite tv installers.
Now is the time for us all to work together, to organize new workers, to buy American and look for the Union label, and think about what we can do strengthen the middle class working people in America.
In solidarity,
Erik
