anyone else out there worrying about..........

[pajammatam]

VERIZON going on strike in 2 1/2 weeks????????

I know we are and it really stinks to have to worry about this every 3 years..............we have "more" to lose this time around..............just wondering.


Tammie

 

[helenabear]

Tammie, my heart goes out to you. I am in telecom in management though so I worry about strikes from a different standpoint than many. I hope that this one is resolved quickly.

 

[grinningghost]

Me personally? No. But one of our good friends works for Verizon and has a wife and 3 small boys. It's always a concern for them. Let's keep our fingers crossed that anyone that works for them keeps their job.

 

[Jenzebelle]

Yes, but for a completely different reason.
I work for a Network Operations Center and about 90% of my customers have Verizon for a lec. Strikes means delay in repairs which means customers losing money because their network is down which means I get yelled at alot

 

[d.kurz]

Yes, I worry that there won't be a strike. DH is management and on the flip side of the coin there is a Disney trip in that overtime for me. Sorry.

Though there was the year we got married when we were BOTH non-management and the strike lasted 6 weeks and it took us a year to get back to where we were.

I'll tell you what.... I'll hope for the strike not to be too long.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

::Sigh:: My mother works for Verizon, and I not-so-fondly remember the days when I'd spend my summer coloring in picket signs instead of coloring books. Thankfully it hasn't happened on a grand scale in a while, but my mother is nervous enough that she and her fiance are hurrying up their wedding plans so they can get married and she can share in his health benefits if the strike lasts a long time (as they are predicting).

Having worked in Corporate America myself for a while (and having been treated like garbage in the process!) I often wished there was a Union to back up my concerns, but I definitely don't envy the position that Verizon workers are in right now. Still, my mom is a Union gal -- still wears her red shirt to work on Thursdays! -- and hopefully everything will work out quickly.

Here's hoping! And for all of you still being service in Verizon territories, I hope your service doesn't suffer in the process!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by pajammatam
VERIZON going on strike in 2 1/2 weeks????????

I know we are and it really stinks to have to worry about this every 3 years..............we have "more" to lose this time around..............just wondering.


Tammie

I remember it the last time around.. it took about 3-4 months for our initial DSL order to go through... and then it was wrong!

Well, DH finagled a deal with them for a rate for a LONG TIME!

 

[pajammatam]

Yes, I worry that there won't be a strike. DH is management and on the flip side of the coin there is a Disney trip in that overtime for me. Sorry.

If it weren't the fact that management "doesn't know what the heck they are doing" maybe Verizon wouldnt be in so much trouble.


JMHO


my DH has been with the phone company for 33 years so yes i know what i am talking about.................we have been through this before



and to think that people are out there wishing for this to happen

Though there was the year we got married when we were BOTH non-management and the strike lasted 6 weeks and it took us a year to get back to where we were.

Have you been through one that lasted for 16 weeks?

 

[4greatboys]

Strikes are hard all the way around. My dh is a UPS driver and I remember how tough the '97 strike was for us. And I was working at the time--glad they worked it out this time.
I hope a fair deal can be reached for all.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by d.kurz
Yes, I worry that there won't be a strike. DH is management and on the flip side of the coin there is a Disney trip in that overtime for me. Sorry.

Though there was the year we got married when we were BOTH non-management and the strike lasted 6 weeks and it took us a year to get back to where we were.

I'll tell you what.... I'll hope for the strike not to be too long.

WOW!!! I've seen all sorts of stuff, both on the boards and IRL that I considered to be cold. I've even been on the giving end of cold.

But sappy as it sounds, I NEVER thought that I would read on the DIS boards that one person hopes for a situation that could devastate thousands of families, all for the sake of a Disney trip.

I'm really, truly shocked at this, and believe me, it takes a lot to truly shock me.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Since DH and I are both Verizon craft so yes I am very worried. I striked for 4 months in 1989 and it took years to get caught up.


It's people like d.kurz that give management a bad name. Thankfully most management employees are more sympathetic and realize we're all pawns in this. Of course there are the ones that brag about all of the OT and the new cars they bought. Unbelievable.



edited for spelling

 

[d.kurz]

Gee, I've never been flamed before. I'll keep my selfish thoughts to myself from now on.

Strikes do create windfalls for some people though. That's just a fact.

For the record DH has been with the company for 27 years.

Sorry to those I offended.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by dcgrumpy
Of course there are the ones that brag about all pf the OT and the new cars they bought. Unbelivable.

Or Disney trips.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Strikes do create windfalls for some people though. That's just a fact.

You're right, it's a fact. But does it really need to be thrown in the faces of people that will potentially face financial crises due to the strike?

"Hmmm...you may have trouble putting food on the table and paying your utility bills, but on the flip side, I'll be able to go to Disney!! Sorry"

 

[d.kurz]

Again, I'm sorry. It was thoughtless.

 

[judirain]

We are very worried about it. My husband is the sole provider for our family of 6. I saved enough to cover the mortgage for 2 months but if we lose health benefits we are in deep doo doo and after 30 days on strike it is very likely. I am dreading having to tell my kids that we might have to cancel our vacation plans. They have been looking forward and counting down for a year now but it would be worse having to tell them we are losing the house. I keep praying for the best. It is dishearting to think there are many people out there wishing this on all of the workers but I guess in this "me" society it is to be expected.

 

[Tiffany]

I am glad I saw this thread. I came over to this board to post about the Verizon strike. My husband is a 12yr employee and we started saving about a year ago so it seems like we might be in better shape that some that have posted. I have managed to put away 10weeks of his take home pay. The loss of medical, dental and vision after 30 days is going to hurt though. I can pick it up through my company but it will be about $500 a month out of pocket to maintain the same level of coverage we have now through Verizon for $0 a month plus all of the co-payments are more. Oh well, at least we have the option of picking it up through my employer.

Let's all hope for no strike or a short one if there has to be one.

If there is one we will be switching our below trip from the YC to the Dolphin and basically cutting out all but three sit down meals.

 

[fklhou]

I also find it wrong to be happy about an event that is in the long term bad for one's employer and is bad for one's fellow employees. Strikes are horrible for both parties, i.e, both the company and the strikers lose in a strike. The fact that some management employees may temporarily benefit over the short term ignores that the fact that these same employees are also losing due the effect that a strike will have on the value of any options or company stock in your 401(k).

Hopefully the strike will be avoided. No one wins in a strike or more appropiratedly both the company and the striking employees are losers in any strike. In addition, customers and suppliers will be adversely affected. If a strike occurs, I hope that it is short for the sake of the employees affected.

 

[Desnik]

We are also very worried. DH works for the company(field tech)for 7yrs. My dad has been working for the company for 35 yrs and was a union chief and now a business agent. There is a rumor they might extend the contract a year. They are preparing for a long strike, like 6 months. While I do not want a long strike, I want our union to fight for our rights and benefits. This contract negotiation is very important. When Verizon merged with GTI, GTI officials vowed to "get rid" of the union. They have done it before, in Texas. Verizon has been known for having one of the strongest unions. We have some of the best benefits out there. I do not want to loose those benefits my family has fought so hard over the years for this generation to enjoy. Years ago the words "layoffs" and "craft workers" were never in the same sentence!! Thank God we won the arbitration and those who lost their jobs will be getting them back. This time around the union is going to have to show their strength, again, and fight to keep what they have fought so hard for.

Now we have a Disney trip planned in Nov. After the year we have had we need it and will pay for it before the strike. My husband is also the sole provider and almost every family member of mine works for the company and is also the sole provider for their family. It is going to be really tough on all of us.

Advice to those not directly affected:get any phone work you need done NOW!!! And please, don't cross our picket lines or allow "scabs" to work for you. It only tells the company they don't need their striking employees.

OK, I think I'm off my soap box, please don't flame me!!

Oh, and to the poster who said they hopped for a long strike b/c her DH is in management and they will get alot of OT and be able to go to Disney. I think you typed before you thought and I do think you didn't mean it the way it sounded. I would actually hate to be in your husbands shoes. Growing up a "union" kid, and being on the picket line at many strikes, I've seen what happens to scabs and those who cross the picket line. It isn't pretty, especially here in NY.

 

[charlie,nj]

Another hoping there is NO strike.