The Unions and the company are scheduled to meet later today to continue talks on the VCS contract. Another update will follow that meeting today. In the interim, CWA has been advised the company intends to again offer home garaging to technicians today. It appears the congestion and confusion at the work centers in the morning has caused the company to move in this direction. The Union’s suggest that technicians should not volunteer to take on the responsibility for the safety and care of the company’s vehicle until a contract is reached. We know it is an inconvenience for those with limited transportation, however the company, including the first and second level supervisors, needs to understand our intention is to get a fair and reasonable agreement for the labor we provide. They are feeling some of the pressure of undesired forced overtime themselves as they have to come in early and stay late to secure those company vehicles. Keep the pressure on.
CWA/IBEW Bargaining Report - August 5, 2008
The Unions and the Company continue to bargain and negotiations will take place until either an agreement is reached or it is clear that we can not. The clock remains frozen at 11:59 PM 8-2-08.
The company is fully aware of our members support and readiness for a strike and things are now moving that have not moved in months. We understand the anxiousness for specifics and details but the pace at which things are changing would make any report obsolete before we could get it out.
We have come a long way together and we have more to do. Keep up our Mobilization, Stay united, we all know you are there. Should it become necessary to start the clock causing our current agreement to expire, a strike could still be authorized. We will keep you posted.
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report - August 3, 2008
The Unions and the Company met today as we continue to hammer away at the many important issues that still separate us at this late date. Our members solidarity and mobilization activities have moved the Company but there is still a long way to go. The situation is very fluid and we should remain prepared to strike or follow whatever course of action your local instructs. We will not let the Company set our time frame for us.
Stay strong and be union proud. You are making a difference. Negotiations continue and we will update as condition warrant.
Your Bargaining Committee.
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report - August 1, 2008
The unions and the Company met today in another fruitless session. We are no closer to an agreement, and in fact have gone backwards. We have no agreement on pathway to the core, no agreement on work jurisdiction, no agreement on wages, benefits, or anything that even comes close to an acceptable contract. The union expressed anger over the state of negotiations after all these months. Since rejecting nearly all of our proposals the company has yet to come forward with anything of their own to address key demands. The union has resubmitted our agenda once again and warned the Company that our members are ready to strike if we if we do not see more progress in the next day than we have in all of our previous meetings combined.
There is a big difference between being "in the union" and 'BEING UNION". Now is the time that defines us. Get ready, and thank you for all of your hard work and solidarity.
24 hours to go!
Your CWA Bargaining Committee
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report - July 31, 2008
The Unions and the Company had off table talks and did not meet formally today. The Company is preparing a response to the union's issues concerning jurisdiction of work and transfers to core. The current response from the Company on the many other substantial subjects remaining including wages, benefits, healthcare, forced overtime etc is simply no where near where we need to be. We can get a lot done in a short time, but we will not give in to a Company that ignores its employees contributions. The union committee knows you have our back. This is the time to get in the game- negotiations are not a spectator sport. We are ready to fight!
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report - July 30, 2008
The unions and the Co met today with the union responding to Co proposals. A great deal of discussion took place on "pathway to the core". To date there is still no substantial progress to report and the clock is ticking down to Saturday midnight. Your bargaining committee stands ready to work to the wire to hammer out an agreement that will be reflective of the work you do every day. We will accept nothing less. As soon as there are details of significance to convey we will update the report. Shake the ground till it rocks the chairs at the bargaining table! This is not the time for business as usual. MOBILIZE!!!!
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report - July 29, 2008
The unions and the Co. met today and the union made counter proposals to Company responses received on Monday. The parties recessed and will meet again on Wednesday. We are still far apart and time is running out. The message from the field should be loud and clear- it is time for VCS to get serious about the many issues yet to be addressed. With 4 days to go very little progress has been made. Mobilize like never before!
Now, following up from our mobilization call last Friday regarding VCS technicians returning their "home garaged vehicle." You may recall in 2000, Verizon core was already on strike when the VCS technicians returned their vehicles causing the management of VCS to scramble when they realized they had no place to park all those trucks. Now that both contracts expire at the same time technicians should plan on returning the vehicle at the end of their tour on Friday or if scheduled on Saturday. This will only work if everyone home garaging participates.
Locals should make plans to shuttle technicians in the event the company refuses to provide any transportation home for the technician.
Technicians should let the company know they have safety concerns regarding the vehicle and are taking this approach to insure no theft or vandalism occurs while it is in their possession in the event of a strike.
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report, July 28, 2009
The unions and the Co met today and exchanged proposals. To date there has still been no substantive issue resolved, and the numerous economic proposals brought forward by the Union have either been rejected or not addressed at all by the Co. The parties recessed and will meet again on Tuesday. SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL COORDINATORS- Let the cows out of the barn at the appointed time in your area and await further instructions via the link.
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report , July 24, 2008
The Unions and The Co. met today and the union presented an economic proposal to the Co. The Co was advised that negotiating as we know it has yet to occur. We reminded them that bargaining is not defined by one party putting forth its agenda in good faith only to be ignored by the other. The Union stands ready to move forward. If the Co's inaction is a test of our resolve it is a test that only our members can answer.... It is a test that we and those before us have "aced " many times in the past to build our union and our contracts. This time will be no different. It is time to stand together once again. Mobilize and be prepared to strike.
Bargaining will resume on 7/28.
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report, July 22, 2008
The Unions and the Co met today and the Co responded to several information requests submitted by the Union. The Union expressed its assessment of negotiations at this point as falling far short of expectations. The Co has been presented with all of our demands and has yet to get serious. No package has been put forth by the Co after hearing numerous times that there will be no agreement until the many serious economic and workplace issues facing our members are resolved.
The union has made proposals on all of our demands including:
move VCS to Core- rejected
pathway to "core"- rejected
senior multi-media tech- rejected
wage improvement- no response
improved benefits- rejected
improved OT language- rejected
sick day improvements- rejected
short term disablity improvement- rejected
long term disabilty plan- rejected
light duty- rejected
seniority language- rejected
vacation improvement- rejected
safety committee- rejected
holiday improvements- rejected
and on and on......
The hour is late and there is a long way to go. Until the Co hears from our members they will not listen. Your bargaining team is confident that the volume will be turned up. The parties will meet again on 7/24. Mobilize!
CWA/IBEW VCS Bargaining Report - July 17, 2008
The CWA/IBEW bargaining team met formally in Washington, DC on July 8th.
The Union placed their demands back across the table demanding VCSI members be compensated fairly for the work they perform. There were open discussions on all of the issues our members have submitted to the bargaining committee. The parties recessed and agreed to meet again on July 21st when the company will respond to our members’ demands.
Your support in the field and your message to management is greatly appreciated by your bargaining team. Results of the Strike Authorization vote will be announced shortly. Mobilization activities continue to be scheduled. Plans are being finalized for a multi CWA District and Union rally on Saturday, July 26th in New York City.
Contact your Local for details.
Mobilize!
CWA/IBEW/VCS - Bargaining Report, July 8, 2008
The unions and the co met yesterday and the Co responded to several information requests submitted by the union. A great deal of discussion took place surrounding "quality of work life" issues. Topics included sick time, flexibility in scheduling time off, safety, Union - Co relations, forced overtime requirements, and contracting of work. The CWA committee submitted a proposal that mirrors the Core tables demand to move the Potomac VCS members into the Core Company. The table then recessed until the Co can review the Unions concerns and form a response.
CWA/IBEW/VCS Bargaining Rept,7/1/08
The Union and the Company met today with the Company responding to numerous information requests submitted by the Unions. Quality of work life issues were discussed. There is much to be done and the Company has yet to agree on any of the real substantive issues raised by our bargaining committee. The parties will meet again after the union reviews information and forms a response.
CWA/IBEW/VCS BARGAINING REPT. 6/12/08
The unions met with the Company today and the Company responded to several demands submitted by the Union during our last session. The Union presented a lengthy information request and the parties recessed subject to call.
Based on our discussions to this point it has become clear that our members will need to turn up the heat through a strong mobilization effort before the Company will get serious. Each round of negotiations our members have answered the bell and this time will be no different. Turn up the heat!
CWA/IBEW/VCS Bargaining Committee June 4, 2008
The unions met with the Co today and the Co responded to some of the unions proposals. The union again emphasized the importance of viewing our members demands for economic justice seriously. We will accept nothing less. The CWA presented new proposals and the parties recessed pending review of both the companies responses thus far and the unions latest demands. Bargaining will resume subject to call.
May 29, 2008
The unions and the Company met today and both CWA and IBEW made opening remarks. The union advised the company that for too long there have existed inequities that need to be addressed and that no longer can the Company continue to maintain that VCS is anything more than an extension of a very successful parent Co. The IBEW made some initial proposals and the parties recessed subject to call.
CWA
