Union Update on Verizon Bargaining; Some Job Issues Referred to Regional Tables

Washington, D.C. -- In talks between the Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers with Verizon, the unions reported today that because of new proposals from the company, some issues in the area of job security have now been referred to the two regional bargaining tables for the Northeast, meeting in New York, and for the Mid-Atlantic, meeting in Washington, D.C.

Union negotiators reported that today they received proposals from the company that they have been waiting for since last weekend, and that these issues have increased the complexity of talks. The company has broadened the scope of job security issues by seeking to change contract provisions on force adjustments and movement of personnel in "surplus" situations. These provisions vary widely among the 26 separate bargaining units at Verizon East, and the unions have decided that the details can best be sorted out at the regional tables.

Top level talks will continue under the auspices of the federal mediator, but the unions said that resolution of the new, broader set of issues likely will delay progress toward an overall settlement.

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