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CWA Bargaining Update-- 5 p.m. August 7, 2000: CWA-Verizon Talks Today Focus on Major Unresolved Iss
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Negotiations today have focused on major CWA job security issues where serious differences have slowed the overall progress of talks. Meanwhile 87,000 workers remain on strike - 72,000 represented by CWA and another 15,000 by the IBEW.
While progress was reported yesterday on many issues, bargaining hit a snag over the issue of movement of work throughout the new Verizon company. CWA is seeking restrictions on the shifting of work from one area to another in light of the GTE-Bell Atlantic merger, similar to its agreement that followed the Bell Atlantic-Nynex merger.
Another jobs issue that has bogged down the talks centers on work being performed by a Verizon subsidiary known as BACCSI (Bell Atlantic Communications and Construction Services Inc.) that operates in the states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. CWA maintains that some work performed by BACCSI properly belongs in the core company.
CWA reported that problems also have cropped up in separate talks covering 45 Verizon Wireless technicians working in New York. These negotiations also are taking place here.
Other major issues for CWA members that are yet to be resolved center on organizing rights for non-union Verizon Wireless workers, forced overtime and the needlessly stressful work environment of operators and service representatives, pension increases, including surviving spouse benefits, the 401(k) plan, where CWA is seeking parity with management's own benefit, and wage distribution.
Talks are continuing.
While progress was reported yesterday on many issues, bargaining hit a snag over the issue of movement of work throughout the new Verizon company. CWA is seeking restrictions on the shifting of work from one area to another in light of the GTE-Bell Atlantic merger, similar to its agreement that followed the Bell Atlantic-Nynex merger.
Another jobs issue that has bogged down the talks centers on work being performed by a Verizon subsidiary known as BACCSI (Bell Atlantic Communications and Construction Services Inc.) that operates in the states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. CWA maintains that some work performed by BACCSI properly belongs in the core company.
CWA reported that problems also have cropped up in separate talks covering 45 Verizon Wireless technicians working in New York. These negotiations also are taking place here.
Other major issues for CWA members that are yet to be resolved center on organizing rights for non-union Verizon Wireless workers, forced overtime and the needlessly stressful work environment of operators and service representatives, pension increases, including surviving spouse benefits, the 401(k) plan, where CWA is seeking parity with management's own benefit, and wage distribution.
Talks are continuing.
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