Verizon striking

[JVelasquez]

So you are stating that you are being asked to give up $20,000 per year from your paychecks for this contract? Exactly how do you come up with this figure? For the record, it matches what Verizon claims that the combined reduction in sick time, holidays, end of pension, end of 401k match and your contribution into medical premiums and dental coverage will reduce to their costs. Odd how each side now has that dollar figure when your union claimed it was $50,000 per employee before. Your show of solidarity is for your jobs, not for anyone else.

And you don't think that that's a lot to have taken away? You know what I don't really care what you think! Have a great night!

 

[JVelasquez]

Verizon is making more than ever and now they are trying to take stuff from people needlessly. More corporate greed! How bout we take some of their corporate loopholes away, I'm sure they get some like every other big business! This is the result of de-regulation, push the small guy down and stomp on him, while we make millions. Let me tell you if this keeps continuing then your gonna see those riots in England right here in the USA. The rich get richer and the poor and middle class get stomped further into the ground. What has happened to this country? One word greed....I hope the union wins!!!

I hope they win too!!!

 

[undertheradar]

I wish you, your family and all of the other families affected by this strike all the best. I'm also sad that there are so many rude and inconsiderate people on here.

Can you explain to me why the unions here in California are getting involved, when the strike is on the East Coast? The unions are handing out fliers at the Angels game(16th), picketing the Verizon Ampitheater in Irvine, CA, and asking UPS(teamsters) to not cross picket lines and make deliveries to Verizon Wireless Stores. This doesn't sound like the unions are "just trying to get the word out," it looks like the unions are trying to disrupt business. While I understand picketing your work locations, I do not believe that you should be attempting to disrupt other businesses. I guess those employees at Verizon Wireless stores aren't members of the middle class that you are fighting for?

 

[Acklander]

Not necessarily. Should companies keep workers simply to keep them employed, regardless of whether that position is still needed?

Look at automation/technology in any number of industries. The newer technology made some jobs obsolete. Now, should a company keep the people who were doing those jobs out of the goodness of their heart? While it would be nice, I don't think so.

They aren't talking about keeping unneeded workers. Theyre talking
about keeping American workers and their benefits

 

[undertheradar]

I personally would not take my child to the picket line but as a grown woman I am more than willing and proud to stand up there with my mom! I hope that you never have to face anything like this in your life.

I can appreciate what adults choose to do, the children have no choice. My dad was on strike multiple times when I was growing up and I know what it is to do without.

 

[JVelasquez]

I can appreciate what adults choose to do, the children have no choice. My dad was on strike multiple times when I was growing up and I know what it is to do without.

Yet you seem to have no compassion or a single kind word to say for those who are going through this now??? Do you think that this is just some right of passage that every person should have to go through this in life? As if we don't have enough to worry about.

 

[undertheradar]

Verizon is making more than ever and now they are trying to take stuff from people needlessly. More corporate greed! How bout we take some of their corporate loopholes away, I'm sure they get some like every other big business! This is the result of de-regulation, push the small guy down and stomp on him, while we make millions. Let me tell you if this keeps continuing then your gonna see those riots in England right here in the USA. The rich get richer and the poor and middle class get stomped further into the ground. What has happened to this country? One word greed....I hope the union wins!!!

Wonder what will happen if they take those "loopholes" away, can you say more unemployment? We know that any benefits given to the workers will be paid for by the customers in the form of higher rates. Far be it for the executives to sacrifice for the many, it just won't happen. It isn't unheard of for employees to contribute to benefit costs, it has become the norm. The difference here is that due to negotiating a new contract(avg. 3 years), these changes look extreme. To the average non union employee, these changes have taken place over the past couple of decades. While the dollar amount might be the sticking point, the reality is that the majority of workers in the United States have been contributing to medical premiums and 401ks since the mid 80's. While these union employees have been fortunate to receive these fully funded benefits during this time, it appears as if the fully funded benefits are coming to an end if the company gets its way. Nobody is wishing ill will or hoping that people lose jobs, they are just trying to introduce the idea that those fully funded benefits are long gone for the majority of the middle class.

 

[undertheradar]

Yet you seem to have no compassion or a single kind word to say for those who are going through this now??? Do you think that this is just some right of passage that every person should have to go through this in life? As if we don't have enough to worry about.

I believe that a strike in this current economic climate is a bad idea.

 

[Acklander]

I believe that a strike in this current economic climate is a bad idea.

Which current economic climate? The economic climate where companies are making record profits and ceo's have record bonuses???
Currently you have people running for office with abolishing minimum wage and getting rid of child labor laws as part of their platform. The country needs unions more than ever with this type of mindset
And how would getting rid of loopholes increase unemployment? Adding the loopholes and tax cuts in didn't create jobs it just created bigger bonuses for the CEO. Tax cuts don't create jobs - customers do.

 

[lisaross]

How sick that the union websites proudly display photos of children being involved in the picket lines. Isn't your union against the exploitation of children? I can remember when my father's union was on strike against the railroads, we were never present at a picket line or a union assembly. What parent would willingly subject a child to the dangers of a picket line? Union posters stated that people were taking a personal risk by crossing picket lines, does that somehow not apply to the children of the striking employees?

Unfortunately you make it virtually impossible to remain silent. My local is working hand in hand with the police deptment who is ever present. They tell us to jump, and we ask them how high. How dare you insinuate that just because people are picketing, that they can't do it civily and peacefully. There has not been one inncodent resembling violence of any kind at my local.
Some people have brought their kids down, and to be perfectly honest, it seems like a good idea for them to learn a little reality. Not everyone is taking your salary home this week, and those who aren't doing so well and live paycheck to paycheck might not be able to afford babysitters. So guess what? Life happens. Are you going to bash anything else from the unemployed workforce?

 

[sam_gordon]

I, for one, am not denying the workers have the right to form a union and the right to strike if they don't like the offer from the company. BUT, the company also has the right to NOT accept what the union offers. Some are making it sound like WHATEVER the union wants it should get, after all, if they don't, it will be the end of middle class america.

Yes, workers in EVERY industry should be treated and compensated "fairly". But now you come down to what people think of as "fair". It doesn't matter how much the company or the CEO makes. Remember oil companies turned in record profits while gas prices continued to sky rocket. I would have liked the companies to get fewer profits in order to lower gas prices. While that's a good "want", is that a reasonable expectation? Nope.

As far as personal information, I don't remember anyone asking for someone's yearly salary or anything that *I* would classify as "personal". I haven't seen any question that I wouldn't be willing to answer.

And those of you thinking that you must be affected by the strike in order to post... this is a DISCUSSION board. ALL opinions are allowed, whether you or me agree or disagree with them. If you feel a post is offensive, mean, or otherwise violates board guidelines, feel free to report it to a moderator. If this thread (or any other) makes you so upset or sick, I suggest you don't read it.

I do hope the strike is settled soon so employees can go back to work. While I hope the union does get SOME concessions (and I expect it will), I don't think they should get EVERYTHING they want.

 

[luvestodizz]

FAMILYOFFIVE, I have a question for you. You live in California, a big earthquake prone area. In preparing buildings and bridge for an earthquake, would you rather they hire an union worker or a non union worker? The union worker will have a nice wage and benefit package and will be sure to do a superb job. In order to save money, maybe the job was contracted out. The contractor hires some undocumented workers and they are paid minimum wage or below. How safe do you think your structures will be then??

Now I in no way hope California has an earthquake or inferior building. I thought if a situation hit closer to your home, maybe you would get off your high horse.

I was hoping this thread would be closed already because the universe certainly doesn't need the replies of the toxic people on this thread. I'm saying goodbye to it too. Lisaross and family, hang in there, there are plenty of people to support you.

 

[wvjules]

Hey! Some of us have your back! I fully support the right of workers to unionize. Unions are the only way to have any leverage at all when negotiating with big money. Fight, fight!

Really? So what explains all of the millions of other workers in this country that negotiate their OWN salaries and benefits with the big bad corporations?

 

[sam_gordon]

FAMILYOFFIVE, I have a question for you. You live in California, a big earthquake prone area. In preparing buildings and bridge for an earthquake, would you rather they hire an union worker or a non union worker? The union worker will have a nice wage and benefit package and will be sure to do a superb job. In order to save money, maybe the job was contracted out. The contractor hires some undocumented workers and they are paid minimum wage or below. How safe do you think your structures will be then??

So non-union workers don't do a a good job. That's what you basically said. I guess it's ok for insults to be thrown from one direction.

 

[wvjules]

Verizon is making more than ever and now they are trying to take stuff from people needlessly. More corporate greed! How bout we take some of their corporate loopholes away, I'm sure they get some like every other big business! This is the result of de-regulation, push the small guy down and stomp on him, while we make millions. Let me tell you if this keeps continuing then your gonna see those riots in England right here in the USA. The rich get richer and the poor and middle class get stomped further into the ground. What has happened to this country? One word greed....I hope the union wins!!!

Since when is a corporation wanting to make money considered greed? Aren't corporations supposed to make money for the business and their shareholders? They have no obligation to spread that money around to its employees. They simply are required to pay wages. Hell, they don't even need to offer benefits, or paid time off, or pay health insurance. But they do.

 

[Acklander]

Since when is a corporation wanting to make money considered greed? Aren't corporations supposed to make money for the business and their shareholders? They have no obligation to spread that money around to its employees. They simply are required to pay wages. Hell, they don't even need to offer benefits, or paid time off, or pay health insurance. But they do.

Sure companies are supposed to make money for the business and their shareholders. And legally don't have to pay anything beyond minimum wage. I believe they're required to offer health insurance because of the number of employees but don't think that they need to offer any other benefits. However, in order to make big profits for their shareholders they need employees to actually do the work - so this is where the negotiations come in. What is a fair wage and benefits and job security for the employees who help the company make record profits?
I'm self employed with just little old me at my job. If I decided to hire an employee for a fair wage and that employee increases my personal income by 50% it would behoove me to continue to compensate my employee, since we're both benefiting from the employee being there. Now, after the first year when I make all that extra money off the additional employee I instead say, I'm going to cut your pay and benefits so I can now make 75% more since legally I don't have to provide anything beyond min. Wage I could understand why the employee might be upset. Not only would the employee have to do with less (so I could have more, which I consider the definition of greed) I would also be negating the employees contribution towards helping my company become the success that it is. That's disgraceful.

 

[wvjules]

Sure companies are supposed to make money for the business and their shareholders. And legally don't have to pay anything beyond minimum wage. I believe they're required to offer health insurance because of the number of employees but don't think that they need to offer any other benefits. However, in order to make big profits for their shareholders they need employees to actually do the work - so this is where the negotiations come in. What is a fair wage and benefits and job security for the employees who help the company make record profits?

So do only the Union VZ employees do work? Or do the the non-union employees do just as good of a job? A fair wage and benefits, IMO, is whatever each individual and the corporation agree to. Honestly, if I belonged to a union I'd be cheesed off that the slacker employee gets the same pay and raises that I do. How is that fair to the good employee? What is the incentive to do good if there is no carrot at the end of a stick? Yay, I suck at my job but why do better if I'm going to get the same pay raise as excellent employees?

 

[Beezle2]

Since when is a corporation wanting to make money considered greed? I think it's when they don't appreciate the workers who are helping/did help make the money. Like growing you company in the U.S and not being happy with a decent profit so you take the jobs overseas so you can make even more money. Then you set up a tax haven so you don't even have to pay taxes in the U.S. any more. That seems like greed to me.

Aren't corporations supposed to make money for the business and their shareholders? >>> Corporations don't make money be themselves

They have no obligation to spread that money around to its employees. They simply are required to pay wages. Hell, they don't even need to offer benefits, or paid time off, or pay health insurance. But they do.

>>

We had those days, they sucked, people rose up, yadda, yadda, things got better for the average worker. Now those rights are under attack all over America.

I stand with the Unions.

 

[lisaross]

Not necessarily. Should companies keep workers simply to keep them employed, regardless of whether that position is still needed?

Look at automation/technology in any number of industries. The newer technology made some jobs obsolete. Now, should a company keep the people who were doing those jobs out of the goodness of their heart? While it would be nice, I don't think so.

Instead of making assumptions of my uselessness at my company, perhaps you might want to find out first hand was the situation is before you make further slams. I am the front line of the company. I am a proud TTA service technician whose job it is to see the customers face to face every day for the last 19 years. I deal with residence, business, and for 9 years of my life, large corporations. I listen, and then give them the perfect service that they have come to respect.
The interesting thing, SIR, is that when I get to the customer, I have to let them complain to me that they have waited so long for their installation or repair. I hear weeks constantly, and sometimes months. That is ridiculous! The company lets go of every worker, who is “not necessary”, and doesn’t replace them, and won’t give us the over time to get the additional work done. You’re right, the customer does suffer. The workers, perhaps not as shallow minded as many of you on this board have portrayed, is aware that we need the customers. We service them to the best of our abilities. The company has been turning its back on them, and we are left in the trenches to pick up the slack.
The perfect thank you for a job well done is telling us that we will now make less, and get less time off. Untrained, inexperienced contractors MIGHT NOT give the customer the care an expertise that I do. While picketing, I spoke to the people replacing us in the field. They told me directly, “I have no idea what I’m doing but Verizon is paying me.”
I try not to speak for other people, but in this particular case, as usual, you make me want to defend them. The inside workers are not dispensable! They are hard working and conscientious. I am sure that you love to call Verizon and sit through the automated menus as much as everyone does. You are doing that because Verizon chose to automate their “dispensable jobs”, then, if you are lucky enough to speak to a human being, can you understand their accent? Maybe or maybe not, because the dispensable American workers were eliminated, and now you speak to Bombay, Pakistan, the Philippians, China, or Mexico. To be fair, there are some Americans left, but not enough. That’s fine. The American workers didn’t need their jobs anyway right? It was so conscientious of the company to save a few dollars and automate their jobs away.
I have prided myself in being a realist most of my life. I try to look at both sides of an argument, and I am not stupid enough not to understand the company’s side of this. In many cases in my life I have debated issues from either side, and although I knew I was right, which I did, I conceded the argument because it simply wasn’t worth upsetting the other party. I won’t point specific fingers, but apparently 2 of you have this urgent need to have all you curiosities satisfied and a driving need to be right above all other’s needs, desires or fears. Since you just won’t drop it, live with the feeling that “Ok you won. You’re right. I’m wrong, and I don’t know why I haven’t seen it earlier.
Now if you drop the attacks, I, and maybe some others might not feel as bad. Ok? This is not being melodramatic, or a defeatist, it is simply saying that I’ve had enough.

 

[wvjules]

>>

We had those days, they sucked, people rose up, yadda, yadda, things got better for the average worker. Now those rights are under attack all over America.

I stand with the Unions.

Under attack how? What rights?

IMO, a union only belongs in certain professions and for certain things. UMWA, UAW for example. They should fight for safe working conditions ONLY. Not argue over pay and benefits and time-off. Those should be negotiated between the individual employee and the employer.