Tentative agreement on National Bargaining click for details

Local Bargaining update...

Verizon Bargaining will begin October 29th

Our contract is scheduled to expire March 14, 2002. The Company and the Union has agreed to begin early bargaining.

We will provide bargaining updates via the web site or you can check the local recorder at (562) 929-4479.

Remember, show your solidarity by wearing your t-shirts every Thursday.

October 29, 2001

Formal bargaining opened today with the parties exchanging a total of 73 proposals. The parties spent the entirety of the day explaining positions on several of these proposals.

Wednesday's bulletin will provide a summary of those items on the table.

October 31, 2001

In several lengthy formal sessions over the past three days, your bargaining committee has discussed and debated all issues that are on the table.

These issues include:
Overall improvements to compensation, Team awards and incentive plans.
Expanded wall to wall recognition
Changes to the use of outside contractors
Employment security
Vacation and Holiday time improvements including greater scheduling flexibility.
Improvements in Overtime language.
Improvements to differentials.
Solutions to sickness and accident benefit administration.
Improved Pension, Healthcare and Telephone concession benefits.
Greater restriction of Management doing productive work.
Elimination of negative job pressures and oppressive monitoring.
Changes to expense treatment.
Multiple upgrades.
New titles
Elimination of titles

In depth subcommittee discussions have also been held on all existing MOA's and Transfers.

Progress continues to be made, formal negotiations as well sub-committees discussions continue. We will update as time allows.

Continue to show your solidarity on Thursday's by wearing your red or your union shirts.

November 2, 2001
4:34 PM
CWA District 9
Bargaining Bulletin #3

The parties met in formal committee on Thursday, November 1, 2001 to discuss various proposals on vacation availability and flexibility, Medical Plan, Sales Incentives, MAP, and Adoption Assistance. Later in the afternoon the parties met in sub-committee to discuss Sickness and Health Benefits. On the morning of Friday, November 2, 2001 the parties met in sub-committee to discuss MOA's. The rest of the afternoon was spent incommittee preparing our counter proposals on all issues. The Union committee appreciates your support during these negotiations. Please continue to remember to show your support by wearing red or your Union shirts on Thursday.

November 5, 2001

After lengthy caucus over the weekend the parties met formally today and exchanged well over sixty counter proposals, revisions and clarifications. Subcommittee work continues this evening on the issue of subcontracting and formal talks resume tomorrow on the subject of improvements to medical benefits.

Some progress is being made but many complex issues are still outstanding.

The bargaining committee appreciates your ongoing support.

November 9, 2001
4:54 PM
CWA District 9
Bargaining Bulletin #5

Progress is being made. Talks continue in key areas; Wages, Titles, Union Security Issues & Benefits.

Formal talks are scheduled to resume on Monday, November 12. The bargaining committee continues to work in caucus throughout the weekend.

The bargaining committee appreciates your ongoing support.

November 20, 2001
7:00 PM
CWA District 9
Bargaining Bulletin #6

The Communications Workers of America and Verizon California Inc. reached a tentative agreement tonight on a new three- year Contract.

Highlights are as follows:
Wage Increases
· March 17, 2002 4%
· March 23, 2003 4%
· March 21, 2004 4%

*Additional 4% for Customer Contact Associates & Business Customer Reps
Reps March 23, 2003 an additional 2% for a total of 6%
September 9, 2003 an additional 2%

Upgrades
· Reclassified 4 employees to Facilities Provisioning Specialist
· Reclassified 10 employees to Facilities Surveyor
· Building Services Specialist & Building ServicesTech. effective 1-01-03
· 48 Month Schedule effective 2004, except Operator Services

Incentive Plans - Renew Incentive Plans in
· Retail
· Consumer
· Business
· Operator
· *Pub Comm. Will Go to TPA effective 1-1-02

TPA
· Targeted 2003 - 4%, 2004 - 4%, 2005 - 4%
· Retained language re: team, objective input

Pension
· Increase Minimums
· Named Beneficiary
· Survivor Lump Sum
· Lump Sum Retained
· Service Based Retiree Medical

Medical
· Increase Lifetime POS Maximum to $2 Million Effective July 1, 2002
· Prescriptions - Drop deductible for “Out Of Area”
· Mail Order Incorporated in plan, Drop deductible for “Out of Area” Effective July 1, 2002
· Joint Health Care Cost Committee - Continued with and emphasis on “in depth” committee participation
· New Hearing Aid Benefit Effective July 1, 2002
· 24-Month Survivor Coverage (Including Domestic Partner)
· “Opt Out” $500 Credit Provision

Dental
· Reduce premium for Dependent Coverage
· Waive Deductible for those using Preferred Dental Provider
· Increase Annual Maximum to $1,500
· Increase Orthodontic Life Time Maximum to $1,500
· New TMJ Coverage - $500 Life Time Maximum

Vision
· Implement Company Wide Vision Plan with No Deductibles Effective July 1, 2002. Includes Lasik Discount

Contracting
· Expanded Committee on Contractor Concerns

Force Realign/Layoff
· Super Seniority Must be submitted in 90 Days

Overtime
· Continue & Expand Voluntary Overtime Trial into Other Units.

Vacations
· Expand Excused Time to 15 Days
· 2-Hour Trial in Operator Services
· Clarify Selection Priority
· Voluntary Vacation Donation Trial
· Expand Carry Over to June 30
· MOA on Increased Flexibility in Scheduling

Holidays
· Extra PDO Effective January 1, 2002

Differentials
· Incorporate Language into Article
· Clarify Definition of Higher Paid Title
· Improved On Call Pay

Transfers
· Update Language to Reflect Mechanization of the Transfer Procedure
· Members can Apply for Vacancies as they are Posted
· Super Seniority Return Rights for 34.5 Moves

Union Security
· Local Committee for Dues Issues
· Update Exhibits, Including COPE Card
· Elimination of “Grandfathering”, All Must Pay Agency Fees

Staffing
· Establish Local Committee for Staffing/Job Pressures Issues
· Scheduled Splits in Care with Guaranteed no that splits will not cause layoffs

Regular Hours
· Expanded voluntary Splits to All Departments

Leaves of Absence
· Response Time for Return to Work Offers Expanded to 14 Days
· Leaves Granted - Personal 12 Months, Industrial 18 Months, rather than six months increments

Group Universal Life, Long Term Disability, Flexible Reimbursement
· 90-Day Eligibility
· Joint Long Term Disability Education

New Classifications
· Senior Special Services Provisioning Technician/Combined if a Layoff
· Jointly Developed Trial for Assistants in Network & Equipment Installer

New Adoption Assistance Benefit
· Up to $10,000 per adoption

Income Security Plan
· Improved ISP Replaces EAIP & TPP

Retiree Life Insurance
· Doubled to $10,000

Customer Engineer Data Engineer
· Improved Transportation Agreement

December 05, 2001
8:21 PM
CONTRACT EXPLANATION MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2001

CWA LOCAL 9586
12330 E. FIRESTONE BLVD.
NORWALK, CA 90650
12 NOON, 3PM, 6PM

For additional information call: (562) 929-3586
Refreshments will be provided.

National Bargaining

We have reached a tentative agreement on our National Bargaining items scheduled to expire at the end of the year.

This includes renewal and/or modification of the following agreements, all which would have terminated on 7/1/04.

DOMESTIC PARTNERS BENEFIT
Employees may elect health and welfare benefit coverage of domestic partners and children of domestic partners.

EDUCATION AND LIFE LONG LEARNING
100% tuition reimbursement and 100% prepaid.

HOLIDAY Seven designated holidays and 5 floating holidays

HOURLY SAVINGS PLAN (HSP) Improvement
Effective 7/7/02 company matching contributions increase from 66 cents to 75 cents for every $1 contributed by employee up to a maximum of 6 percent of pay. Effective 7/6/03 company matching contributions increase to 82 cents for every $1 contributed by the employee up to a maximum of 6 percent of pay.

NEUTRALITY AND CONSENT ELECTION
The company will remain neutral during organizing campaigns in unorganized areas of Verizon.

UNION LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Effective 1/1/02 the aggregate length of all such leave of absence equals 18 years. Effective 1/1/04 the aggregate length of all such leave of absence equals 20 years.

VACATION CARRY FORWARD (BANKING)
Employees eligible for 4 weeks of vacation may carry forward up to 1 vacation week for each vacation year.
Employees eligible for 5 weeks of vacation may carry forward 2 weeks for each vacation year.

SERVICE AND SENIORITY RECOGNITION
Effective with the merger of former GTE and former Bell Atlantic on 6/30/00 all service and seniority will be recognized prospectively at all "affiliate" companies for retirement eligibility and vesting purposes. Subject to certain conditions.

This is just an overview, for additional information contact a Union Representative in your area or contact the local.

All ballots will be mailed to your home.

UPDATE...
A summary of the tentative aggreement is enclosed along with secret ballot voting materials is being presented to all CWA members at Verizon/GTE across the country, and it will be approved or rejected based on the nationwide results. The deadline for receipt by the American Arbitration Association by 9:00 a.m., November 13, 2001.

The CWA national officers involved in these negotiations recommend a "yes" vote. If you have not received a ballot contact AAA directly at (800) 529-5218.