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Bargaining Update

Veterans Day 'No Big Deal,' Verizon Executive Told Workers

Verizon tries to score points with the public by claiming that it's "veteran friendly." But the telecommunication giant falls flat on its face when it comes to matching that talk with actions.

Verizon requires technicians and other workers to put in an excessive amount of mandatory, forced overtime hours, on short notice. That makes it very difficult to balance work and family life. In Virginia, at a recent meeting of Verizon technicians with Chris Childs, the company's Vice-President of Field Operations, a technician pointed out that he just learned that they would be forced to work on Veterans Day.

"Veterans Day...that's no big deal," Childs declared.

"On Veterans Day, we honor those who have served and those who have fallen protecting our nation. As a veteran, I am disgusted to hear someone dismiss the holiday as 'no big deal.' It disrespects a sacrifice many have made for our country," Local 2201 President Richard Hatch said.

"CWA knows that Veterans Day is a time for remembering the sacrifice and commitment of so many. It's a solemn day of remembrance and service across our country. Everywhere, it would seem, except at Verizon headquarters," CWA District 2-13 Vice President Ed Mooney said.

Read the full statement here.


CWAers at the Barry Road Garage in Washington, D.C. protest Verizon's statement that Veterans Day is "no big deal." CWA Local 2107 President Shannon Opfer is in the foreground and behind her, from left to right, are CWA Local 2336 President Terrence Richardson, CWA Local 2100 Executive Vice President Jeff Sellman, and CWA Local 2222 shop steward Steve Fletcher.

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Telluride Ski Patrol Votes to Ratify First Union Contract

Telluride Ski Patrol workers ratified a first union contract this week by a nearly unanimous vote.

The three-year contract improves wages, benefits and job security and establishes a grievance policy.

"Forming a union allowed us to meet with management as a group and have direct input on our working conditions," said bargaining committee member and 16-year ski patroller Tony Daranyi. "This first contract is a great step towards increasing our voice in our workplace."

The ski patrol workers had voted to join CWA Local 7781 last February. Ski patrollers at the Canyons in Utah, Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte already have a CWA voice, and ski patrol workers at Taos Ski Valley are voting today on CWA representation.