Verizon striking

[javaj]

I asked how many holidays are being asked for and how many total do you all receive?

I believe the Verizon union employees currently are given 9 holidays per year, and Verizon is proposing that 2 be eliminated -- Martin Luther King Day and Veteran's Day. Verizon non-union employees are given 7 holidays per year.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

I wish all the Verizon employees good luck in this fight. My friend, who was a retired manager with the government contract department, was called to be a scab. She told them to stick it where the sun don't shine. Even though she was salary, her husband was a former union rep. It's a bad situation all around.

To all those who see union busting as a good thing, we would not have an American middle class if it wasn't on the backs of union workers. If we continue to just shrug our shoulders and say, well, I'm glad I still have a job, even though I work the equivalent of 3 other positions now and have no decent retirement and pay out the wazoo for health care, while the corporation and the big wigs reap all the spoils. Soon, no one will have health care or retirement, nothing. The corporations will squeeze and squeeze until we all finally say enough.

 

[lisaross]

I wish all the Verizon employees good luck in this fight. My friend, who was a retired manager with the government contract department, was called to be a scab. She told them to stick it where the sun don't shine. Even though she was salary, her husband was a former union rep. It's a bad situation all around.

To all those who see union busting as a good thing, we would not have an American middle class if it wasn't on the backs of union workers. If we continue to just shrug our shoulders and say, well, I'm glad I still have a job, even though I work the equivalent of 3 other positions now and have no decent retirement and pay out the wazoo for health care, while the corporation and the big wigs reap all the spoils. Soon, no one will have health care or retirement, nothing. The corporations will squeeze and squeeze until we all finally say enough.

Amen. You spoke wisely and eloquently. I appreciate your message and sincerely hope that others read and appreciate the wisdom as well.

 

[okeydokey]

I wish all the Verizon employees good luck in this fight. My friend, who was a retired manager with the government contract department, was called to be a scab. She told them to stick it where the sun don't shine. Even though she was salary, her husband was a former union rep. It's a bad situation all around.

To all those who see union busting as a good thing, we would not have an American middle class if it wasn't on the backs of union workers. If we continue to just shrug our shoulders and say, well, I'm glad I still have a job, even though I work the equivalent of 3 other positions now and have no decent retirement and pay out the wazoo for health care, while the corporation and the big wigs reap all the spoils. Soon, no one will have health care or retirement, nothing. The corporations will squeeze and squeeze until we all finally say enough.

 

[m&m's mom]

I wish all the Verizon employees good luck in this fight. My friend, who was a retired manager with the government contract department, was called to be a scab. She told them to stick it where the sun don't shine. Even though she was salary, her husband was a former union rep. It's a bad situation all around.

To all those who see union busting as a good thing, we would not have an American middle class if it wasn't on the backs of union workers. If we continue to just shrug our shoulders and say, well, I'm glad I still have a job, even though I work the equivalent of 3 other positions now and have no decent retirement and pay out the wazoo for health care, while the corporation and the big wigs reap all the spoils. Soon, no one will have health care or retirement, nothing. The corporations will squeeze and squeeze until we all finally say enough.

That is an absolutely hysterical thing to post when your signature is full of stays and vacations I would not be able to do. Does not exactly cry "Poor me" having to work 3 positions because "The man is stickin' it to me".

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

That is an absolutely hysterical thing to post when your signature is full of stays and vacations I would not be able to do. Does not exactly cry "Poor me" having to work 3 positions because "The man is stickin' it to me".

I, nor my husband are affiliated with any unions. My husband is an 18 year active duty military member and I am currently seeking employment after transferring to a new duty station last month. No unions there lady! But, we have excellent health benefits and a pension for life. I wish everyone could have what we have.

You don't have to be part of a union to support them.

 

[undertheradar]

Okay, so now we know that the holiday number is from 9 to 7. The reason I asked is that the info out there was the union stating 4 and Verizon stating 2. Now we have a hard number. As to the medical. it has been posted on here at around $4500.00 per year and now Mr. Ross has posted that he has heard as high as $600.00 per month/ making it $7200.00 per year. It is very hard to make any educated decission without all of the details so I don't envy those of you involved in this. As for your personal info out there for all to see, we are being provided general numbers from what I have read on the different websites, both union and corporate.

While I won't give specific personal data, our income is higher and we save 5% towards retirement along with a company match. There is no such thing as a pension here. We are spoiled in that there are numerous paid days off via 1 week shut downs in Summer and at the Christmas holidays. These are in addition to 5 weeks vacation per year, 10 sick days, and 8 personal days. While I believe that this is excessive, you should have heard the complaints when 2 holidays were taken away in exchange for the Summer week. This is a non union corporation and people were livid about losing these 2 days even though they were gaining 3 more . It seems as if there is no pleasing everyone. Our medical has increased in cost every year, dental is limited, vision is a joke, prescription is climbing higher. Where we are, we are considered middle class yet with the high cost of living we are paycheck to paycheck. Don't get me started on college and financial aid, as we don't qualify unless our kids choose one of the Ivy League Schools. I don't consider 100% student loans to be aid. For the record we bought a "starter" home and those were over $600,000. when we entered the California market. Remember, the FAFSA doesn't consider cost of living for the region where you live. So while we may look like we earn a lot on paper, our high cost of living makes it very hard. And before anyone gets the idea that we should rent instead of buy, the average 4 bedroom rents for over $3000.00 unless you are willing to take on a multi hour commute. Our public transportation is nothing like what you have in the North East cities. It isn't that we all are so different, we just may not share the same views. I'd gladly give up some vacation time for lower cost benefits and the ability to have better health care plans. Like you all, we can only choose from what the company offers.

Had to go look this up. Medical is $1900.00 per year for 10% co-pay of negotiated rate as long as you stay in network. This is after (3) $350.00 deductibles per family. Dental is $165.00 per year with a $50.00 per person yearly deductible, $1500.00 max per person/per year. This is for a ppo plan in medical, hmo costs were much higher. In fact, can't wait for October to come and the new benefit plans for next year will be revealed. We get the prices for them during the signup period in mid-November.

 

[melmar136]

Okay, so now we know that the holiday number is from 9 to 7. The reason I asked is that the info out there was the union stating 4 and Verizon stating 2. Now we have a hard number. As to the medical. it has been posted on here at around $4500.00 per year and now Mr. Ross has posted that he has heard as high as $600.00 per month/ making it $7200.00 per year. It is very hard to make any educated decission without all of the details so I don't envy those of you involved in this. As for your personal info out there for all to see, we are being provided general numbers from what I have read on the different websites, both union and corporate.

While I won't give specific personal data, our income is higher and we save 5% towards retirement along with a company match. There is no such thing as a pension here. We are spoiled in that there are numerous paid days off via 1 week shut downs in Summer and at the Christmas holidays. These are in addition to 5 weeks vacation per year, 10 sick days, and 8 personal days. While I believe that this is excessive, you should have heard the complaints when 2 holidays were taken away in exchange for the Summer week. This is a non union corporation and people were livid about losing these 2 days even though they were gaining 3 more . It seems as if there is no pleasing everyone. Our medical has increased in cost every year, dental is limited, vision is a joke, prescription is climbing higher. Where we are, we are considered middle class yet with the high cost of living we are paycheck to paycheck. Don't get me started on college and financial aid, as we don't qualify unless our kids choose one of the Ivy League Schools. I don't consider 100% student loans to be aid. For the record we bought a "starter" home and those were over $600,000. when we entered the California market. Remember, the FAFSA doesn't consider cost of living for the region where you live. So while we may look like we earn a lot on paper, our high cost of living makes it very hard. And before anyone gets the idea that we should rent instead of buy, the average 4 bedroom rents for over $3000.00 unless you are willing to take on a multi hour commute. Our public transportation is nothing like what you have in the North East cities. It isn't that we all are so different, we just may not share the same views. I'd gladly give up some vacation time for lower cost benefits and the ability to have better health care plans. Like you all, we can only choose from what the company offers.

So, if I am reading this correctly, you have 7 weeks vacation per year, 10 sick days, and 8 personal days, and how many holidays?
And you were able to buy a house for over $600,000.

Ok, well, I can tell you this....working at Verizon with almost 15 years in, I got 7 holidays, 4 personal days, no official sick days, 3 weeks of vacation time.

As a single parent, I was able to afford a condo with money left to me when my mom died. It was under $150,000, and I commute an hour each way to work because it was a lot cheaper where I am than for anything closer.

I make nowhere NEAR the amount Verizon is claiming they pay us ($91,000 was the outrageous figure they quoted in a full page newspaper ad). I don't even make what the CEO makes in one day, in a whole year, and I have a bachelor's degree.

The cost of living in MA, although not as high as it is in CA, is still pretty high.

But, we unionized Verizon workers are "entitled" and "spoiled" ???

 

[melmar136]

Uh, are you aware that VZ has strike insurance? On top of their work stoppage budget. At least that's what we've been told and your union leaders must know there's some truth behind this because they claim that's the reason VZ is willing to spend so much $ on all of this, because it's not going to cost the company much at all. Losses that VZ claims will be covered. And I would venture to bet that VZ pays dearly for this insurance. You may not be familiar with paying for insurance but that's how it works.

One would have to assume you will be coming back to your job for the RIF's of your managers. What if they "flip that switch" and your jobs aren't there anymore?

Another scenario: You do know that those managers are fully capable of managing a whole new workforce that could potentially replace you, right? And if they get RIF'd, then so be it right? That's the choice they made when they "chose management over the union".

You just seem to be very narrow minded in the outcome of this. You keep referring to scenarios as if there is only one option...and that option being that VZ give you everything you "deserve" and go back to business as usual.

I will remain hopeful for you, and I will also continue to keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers...regardless of your despise for me and my fellow co-workers who DON'T want your jobs.

Well, first of all, I don't despise you personally, because I don't even know you. I just don't agree with you.

If my view is seen as narrow-minded, than yours is as well. You seem very fond of pointing out in many of your posts how "easy" it would be for the company to just replace all of us.

Well, they could but I don't think it would be too easy. After all, there are 45,000 of us. I know in my small office alone, the time it takes just to train someone to even do the job is around 5 months. The "learning curve" so to speak, is about 18 months. I know the people doing it now sure have no clue. And the people training them don't either.

Verizon isn't too fond of paying for that much training anymore. Nor are they fond of paying for the supplies you need to really DO the job. Just to order $35 worth of office supplies takes 5th level management approval! That's for stuff like PENS. Nevermind getting things like headsets for those in a call center! We have people with headsets TAPED together because there is "no money in the budget"

And this is for an inside office job. Think of how long it would take to properly train the technicians.

Customer service would indeed suffer greatly. Have you seen any of these "replacement" techs? They can't even figure out how to take a ladder off the truck. You can't learn too much in a week long pole-climbing class.

 

[sam_gordon]

Lisa’s husband again. The reason why no one gets into specific numbers with anyone is because this is personal. Why don’t you tell us your salary, how much you pay towards retirement and how much you pay for your health coverage? Are you aware that our personal finances are being publicly displayed?

I'd just like to point out I haven't asked for anything other than generalizations. I will answer the questions *I* asked based on my employment...

Can a Verizon union employee answer the following questions...
1) Is Verizon offering a 401K (with or without match) or other retirement benefit to replace the pension?
2) Does someone who is vested in the pension STILL get the money they've earned when they retire?
3) How many sick days did each employee have before the strike and how many does Verizon want to cut?
4) How many paid Holidays did each employee have before the strike and how many does Verizon want to cut?
5) How much does Verizon want employees to pay for health care?
6) Has the union put up a counter offer OTHER than 'we want what we've gotten in the past'?

1) When our pension was frozen, the company offered a 401K. They match up to the first 5% that we put in. So I put in 5%
2) I will still get the pension money I had earned before the pension was frozen.
3) We get six sick days a year. Use them or lose them. We used to get 10/year and could accumulate up to 30. When they cut us back, we lost any accumulated days.
4) We get 7 Holidays... New Years, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas. Unlike many businesses that shutdown for holidays, we ALWAYS have at least one person working... usually there's ~7-10.
5) I pay $180/month for my family medical coverage
6) doesn't apply to me.

Now, what exactly is "personal" about these answers?

 

[sam_gordon]

So, if I am reading this correctly, you have 7 weeks vacation per year, 10 sick days, and 8 personal days, and how many holidays?
And you were able to buy a house for over $600,000.

Ok, well, I can tell you this....working at Verizon with almost 15 years in, I got 7 holidays, 4 personal days, no official sick days, 3 weeks of vacation time.

Is there something to be said that "familyoffive" has some pretty good company benefits WITHOUT a union?

 

[lisaross]

I, nor my husband are affiliated with any unions. My husband is an 18 year active duty military member and I am currently seeking employment after transferring to a new duty station last month. No unions there lady! But, we have excellent health benefits and a pension for life. I wish everyone could have what we have.

You don't have to be part of a union to support them.

I am happy for you guys, and sincerely hope that you find a good job soon. I have no jealosy and wish the best for people. That is all I wood hope for in return. The fact that he could have these benefits without a union is excellent. In Verizon's case, unfortunately it's not quite the same. They made it quite clear that they want to take an extremely experienced and skilled work force and trade us in for minimum wage, gypsy minded, contractors. The lives of everyone who banked their careers on passed promises would change for the worse. And lets just say that all the customer service complaints that we're getting now multiply substantially.

 

[sparklynails23]

A company is answerable to its shareholders... That may be investors, pension fund managers, retirement account holders… you me and so on… You want your 401K to increase in value don’t you? Well for that to happen the stocks must go up… They do that when the company is making a profit… The larger the profit the higher the stock goes up. A company is legally obligated to increase its share value.. It MUST pass the profits upwards, spreading the wealth around is not an option. What would you way if your 401k dropped all year or stayed flat because all the companies passed out all their profits to their employees instead of raising its share value.

When did a company making a profit become a bad thing! You want your company to make LOTS of profit, that mean you get raises and get to keep a job and expend… Does upper management make huge gross salaries sure but what is stopping you from becoming upper management? Also when the company doesn’t meet its financial goals because the country is in a recession you might not get a raise, or perhaps you get to pay for your health care, do you know what the typical board of directors does to a CEO / CFO when they don’t make their numbers? They get canned! I’m just saying don’t begrudge someone a nice paycheck until you walk a mile in their shoes..

The workers should make concessions during bad times and get raises during good times. That's the way it works with the white collar workers. Apparently, the officers are paid bucket loads no matter if the times are good or bad (see my earlier posts on complicity between boards and officers and the effect on stockholders for my feelings on that). Somehow we've gotten to the point where blue workers should never have increases in pay, only decreases. As a stockholder, I would be concerned about how that would effect morale and productivity. The Verizon union employees aren't replaceable widgets, they are skilled workers. When the company is making 5.5 billion dollars in profits, they should pay them and keep them happy.

It's very interesting to see all the paid Verizon PR posters out and about on blogs and internet sites (not saying that you are one, but they are out there in droves), not to mention all of the paid for AP stories. Why doesn't Verizon just take that PR money and pay it to the workers?

 

[melmar136]

Is there something to be said that "familyoffive" has some pretty good company benefits WITHOUT a union?

Yeah, his/her job IS good. It's obviously better than mine (except for the amount paid for health benefits) but I am the one getting ripped apart apparently because I am in a union.

 

[sparklynails23]

If you don't believe that unions make a difference, look at the degradation in maid service and food service at so many Disney hotels and park properties, since they've been contracting out. It isn't the same quality, not even close, that it used to be. Focus on short term profits with long term negative results is the business model for so many companies since the eighties. If Verizon wants to replace their employees with contractors, I wouldn't hold onto that stock for too long.

 

[sam_gordon]

If you don't believe that unions make a difference, look at the degradation in maid service and food service at so many Disney hotels and park properties, since they've been contracting out. It isn't the same quality, not even close, that it used to be. Focus on short term profits with long term negative results is the business model for so many companies since the eighties. If Verizon wants to replace their employees with contractors, I wouldn't hold onto that stock for too long.

And has that degradation of service caused a loss of business for Disney? Sometimes "good enough" is good enough.

I do hope you're not saying only union workers can do a "good" job.

 

[JVelasquez]

No, I have a different opinion and someone is trying to twist this thread from the trading of opinions to a pro-union slant. I have asked questions and the union employees from Verizon can only provide the canned union speak in response.

I am not a striking Verizon employee. I just have read your posts and they seem to more of an attack.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yeah, his/her job IS good. It's obviously better than mine (except for the amount paid for health benefits) but I am the one getting ripped apart apparently because I am in a union.

I'm not ripping anyone apart because they belong to the union. I just don't think you (collective toward union workers) are presenting their side of the negotiations very well.

You (and others) feel you're being attacked because you're being told "be happy you have a job, you should be willing to give up some of what you have been getting". Do I have that right? But isn't the "pro-union" faction doing the same thing toward the Verizon CEO? "He should take a paycut/he gets better benefits/etc". Hasn't he (and other CEO's) been getting that salary for a while? How is that different than what people have been telling you?

 

[sam_gordon]

Yeah, his/her job IS good. It's obviously better than mine (except for the amount paid for health benefits) but I am the one getting ripped apart apparently because I am in a union.

Sorry, also wanted to mention... many "pro-union" have thrown out the "we're saving middle class America" line. If that's the case, how/why do jobs put out good benefits (like familyoffive's) WITHOUT a union?

 

[Judique]

Sorry, also wanted to mention... many "pro-union" have thrown out the "we're saving middle class America" line. If that's the case, how/why do jobs put out good benefits (like familyoffive's) WITHOUT a union?

Some one of a kind jobs are going to have good benefits without being union by the nature of what they are.

The CEO for example.

And maybe SECURITY in some corporations like Verizon.....else who would be there to do the lockouts?