1109 Verizon Tape Information<BGSOUND src="file.wav">
10-01-08

Christopher Monclova, Business Agent
The company has notified the union that the pay raise of 3.25% will be in payroll check dated October 30, 2008. Beggining Sunday 19, 2008 the Company will calculate the new wage increases and it will reflect in the payroll period ending on Saturday October 30, 2008. All retroactive payments will also be made in the payroll check dated October 30, 2008.
08-15-08

President Rolando Scott
Bargaining Update: Friday, August 15th 5pm This President Rolando Scott for C.W.A. Local 1109 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Next week Wednesday, Aug. 20th, we will be holding a joint Chief steward/ steward meeting at the Union Hall to go over the details of this tentative agreement. Subsequently, on Monday Aug. 25th at 6pm we are calling for a \"Special Membership\" meeting (at a place to be confirmed by this Mon. Aug. 18th) to discuss with the membership this tentative agrrement. Those members at that time wishing to cast their vote to ratify after the meeting may choose to do so. A separate date shall be shortly announced to allow those members unable to attend the Aug. 25th meeting an opportunity to vote as well. This entire process throughout the entire bargaining footprint (from Maine to Virgina) must be completed by Sept. 18th. The C.W.A. national will then notify Verizon on Sept. 19th on whether or not if there is a ratified contract. If so the contract would be retroactive to Aug. 3rd. Stay in touch with this tape for further updated information. Thank you Brothers and sisters for your support and solidarity, and remember In unity there is strength.
08-12-08

Christopher Calabrese, Executive V.P.
On August 14 there will be a President`s only meeting to review the contract. Subsequently there will be a steward meeting and a special meeting to inform the membership of the details before ratification. Stay tuned to this tape. In unity there is strength.
08-10-08

Rolando Scott, President Local 1109

WE HAVE A TENATIVE AGREEMENT. THIS NEW TENATIVE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT SETTLEMENT WITH VERIZON ACHIEVES UNION WORKERS 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. C.WA. AND I.B.E.W. ARE PROUD OF THE SUPPORT FROM ITS RANK AND FILE THROUGH THEIR MOBILIZATION EFFORTS IN GETTING THIS AGREEMENT DONE. THE TENATIVE SETTLEMENT WILL ELIMINATE SUB-CONTRACTING OF WORK IN A NUMBER OF JOB AREAS, CONVERTS MANY TEMPORARY JOBS TO PERMANENT AND BRINGS ADDITIONAL JOBS ASSOCIATED WITH VERIZON’S CUTTING EDGE “FIOS” TECHNOLOGY INTO THE UNION BARGAINING UNITS. OVERALL THE SETTLEMENT SHOULD CREATE 2,500NEW JOBS.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE:

• NO PREMIUMS FOR MEDICAL FOR ACTIVE OR RETIRED MEMBERS.
• WAGE INCREASES FOR EACH OF THE 3 YEARS OF THE CONTRACT FOR A TOTAL OF 10.87% COMPOUNDED OVER LIFE OF AGREEMENT.
• PROFIT SHARING MINIMUM OF $700.00 PER YEAR.
• 401K REMAINS THE SAME WITH ADDITIONAL OPTIONS.
• PENSION INCREASES EACH OF THE YEARS OF 3.25%, 3.5% AND 3.75%
• LUMP SUM PENSION CASHOUT REMAINS INTACT FOR LIFE OF THE CONTRACT.
• PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN: THERE WILL BE A $50.00 INCREASE IN THE OUT OF POCKET MAX FROM $300. TO $350.
• INTRODUCTION OF A NEW ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION PROCESS
• VARIOUS TEMP TITLES CURRENTLY ON PAYROLL WILL BE MADE PERMANENT.
• WORKING FAMILY FUND WILL REMAIN IN PLACE AT THE SAME FUNDING RATE. AND
• VERIZON BUSINESS, MANY OF THESE JOBS WILL BE FOLDED INTO THE PLANT CONTRACT.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE FORTHCOMING. WE WILL BE HOLDING A STEWARDS MEETING AS WELL AS A GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING VERY SHORTLY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS TO CLARIFY OUR TENTATIVE AGREEMENT BEFORE WE CONDUCT A CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE. I’D LIKE TO THANK ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY AND EFFORTS IN COLLECTIVELY ACHIEVING OUR AGREEMENT. STAY IN TOUCH WITH THIS TAPE FOR FURTHER UPDATED INFORMATION. SOLIDARITY FOREVER AND REMEMBER, “IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH”.

08-06-08

Chris Calabrese, Executive V.P.
We know it has been 4 days since our contract has expired. I know everybody is getting antsy and so are we. While I know everybody is ready to walk-off the job, we have to exercise patience and trust in our leaders.

We have the utmost confidence in the bargaining team. They know you are ready to walk at a moments notice. The threat of a strike and your mobilization activities are why the company is taking us seriously.

I ask that you stop listening to rumors you are hearing from friends or management. We have all of the updated information and pass it on to you immediately. We are not trying to be evasive by not giving you specific details of the contract. It would not be fair to the bargaining team to release details before we have a signed contract.

Just keep up the good work. As long as the company sees we are engaged and mobilized, they will bargain with us. If they see we aren’t interested, they will take a harder stance at the table. Again, thank you for the support and be proud. KEEP WEARING RED!
08-03-08

Rolando Scott, President
This evening at around 8:30 PM our bargaining team was summoned back to the bargaining table in Washington, D.C. I was on a president\'s coference call late tonight with our international president Larry Cohen, District 1 V.P. Chris Shelton, and the bargaining team. They reported that \"substantial progress\" in various areas was achieved. Issues of our health care for both active employees and retirees was addressed.

They reported \"substansial\" wage increases as well as pension band increases. Significant movement on the Verizon Business front were accomplished as well. Therefore, our leadership has made the decision to \"stop the clock,\" effectively meaning that we are covered under the existing contract as talks continue.

They said that mobilization drives, especially in the last few days really made a difference at bargaining.

I want to thank all of our members for their support and solidarity and remember to be prepared to strike at anytime and to continue your mobilization awareness in case things fall apart. But for right now, all members are expected to return to work on their next scheduled tour. Keep in touch with this tape for further updated information. Continue to wear red everyday, work safely, and remember IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH.
08-02-08

Sal Incarbone, Vice President
Transcript omitted
07-30-08

Rolando Scott, President 1109
There was no bargaining in Washington on Tuesday. Talks were held in Rye yesterday. The feedback from bargaining teams is that talks are progressing slowly. We have to be prepared. We have to be ready. All members should be wearing red everyday until we get a fair and equitable contract. Tomorrow night, beginning at 4:30 pm until 7:00 pm, at the 3rd ave garage located at 175 3rd street, on the corner of 3rd avenue here in Brooklyn, we will be holding a huge strike prep rally in support of out bargaining team. All members of 1109 are encouraged to come show your support for yourselves because YOU are the UNION! Come join your fellow Brothers and Sisters, along with several elected politicians and media coverage at this important rally. Look forward to seeing everyone there. And REMEMBER, IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH.