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What's New in Telecommunications:

UNITY at AVAYA - NEW 2008!

Verizon Settlement Provides New Union Jobs, Protects Health Care For Active and Retired Workers, Boosts Wages, Pensions for 65,000

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new tentative three-year contract settlement with Verizon achieves union employees’ major goals of promoting union jobs and expanding bargaining rights, providing good health care for both active and retired workers, and increasing wages and pensions for 65,000 workers from Virginia to Maine, the Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers reported.

Click here to read the full press release

Unions Set Bargaining Deadline in Verizon Negotiations - August 8, 2008 - 2:30p.m.EDT

Washington, D.C -- The CWA/IBEW Unified Bargaining Committees have set a bargaining deadline for completing contract negotiations with Verizon. That deadline is Monday, Aug. 11, 12:01 am. At that time, the existing contract that was extended last weekend will expire. Strike action then becomes possible if a fair settlement is not reached.
                     
The strike date will be set by the two union presidents in consultation with the bargaining committees.

The current contract, which covers 65,000 members of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was slated to expire at midnight on Saturday, August 2nd.  Late this past Saturday night, the unions announced that in light of progress that had been made in bargaining, they had agreed to “stop the clock” on the expiration of the current contract and postpone strike action. Bargainers had reported significant progress at the bargaining table between the two sides. 

Negotiations have continued since then, and are continuing at this time, but progress has been slow. Among the critical issues: permanent, quality jobs at Verizon and other job issues, health care and retirement security, a fair wage settlement and others.

Verizon Bargaining Update - August 5, 2008 - 4:30p.m.EDT

For the past two days, negotiations have continued to meet in an attempt to finalize an agreement. The talks are continuing at this time. Further updates will be provided as events warrant.

Verizon Bargaining Update - August 3, 2008 - 10:00p.m.EDT

Bargaining continued throughout the day on August 3. Talks will continue on Monday, August 4. There are no new developments to report.

Strike Action Postponed, Negotiations to Resume Sunday, Aug 3rd.

Washington, D.C. -- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America announced tonight that in light of progress that has been made in bargaining for a new contract with Verizon, the parties have agreed to "stop the clock" on the expiration of the current contract and postpone strike action while negotiations continue. The current contract, covering 65,000 members of the two unions in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states, will remain in effect.

Verizon Bargaining Update

As of 9:30 p.m. on August 2, 2008, negotiators for CWA and IBEW, representing 65,000 Verizon workers in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states, continue to work hard to reach a settlement. Major issues include health care coverage for active and retired employees, job security and union representation of new job areas, retirement security and a fair wage settlement. The contract is set to expire at midnight. Further updates will be posted later this evening.

With just days left before union contracts expire...
Telecom workers rally for good jobs and reliable services at Verizon

Unions Rally As Verizon Deadline Nears

With just days left before their Aug. 2 contract expiration with Verizon, 70,000 CWA and IBEW members from Virginia up through New England are coming together in solidarity as talks go down to the wire.

Verizon: "We Are The Network" - See The Video

For up-to-date information concerning Verizon negotiations,
more information can be found at:

Local 827 Website

Local 2222 Website

About The Telecommunications Department:

When Alexander Graham Bell received the first ever telephone patent in 1876 he probably did not recognize the dynamic industry he was helping to create.  In fact, the telecommunications industry has proven to be one of the most challenging and evolutionary industries in the United States and the IBEW is proud to say that we have played a vital role in helping to make this industry a success since as early as 1897.

The Telecommunications Department oversees contracts covering 100,000 highly skilled and sought after IBEW workers employed by the nation’s telecommunications industry.  Our members have helped implement the ever-changing technology that is currently deployed by the telephone companies, cable television industry and wireless enterprises.  They install, maintain and repair the switches, multiplexors, transmission equipment and associated emergency generating equipment required to keep the communications network viable.  The new age of communications and entertainment is having a profound affect on every aspect of our lives, and only with the expertise of IBEW members can the technology thrive.  The IBEW represents thousands of customer service representatives and operator services employees throughout the industry.  These IBEW members experience a great sense of accomplishment working with the sophisticated equipment that links these various communication formats, while enjoying the protection and advantages contained in several hundred collective bargaining agreements.

The IBEW Telecommunications Department also provides local unions assistance with national negotiations, local union negotiations, legislation, health care initiatives, training, research and organizing. 

IBEW members can be confident that as this industry continues to evolve, the brotherhood will be there in force to ensure that our members are there meeting the challenges of the future.