Workers Reach Contract Agreement with Verizon

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Verizon workers across the East Coast celebrated the announcement Sunday of a new tentative contract settlement after over a year of negotiations. "This agreement is a tribute to the solidarity and activism of IBEW and CWA members working at Verizon," said IBEW President Ed Hill. "Our members mobilized strong and negotiated hard for a good contract that will benefit workers and their families now and in the future.” The tentative three-year contract maintains fully-paid health care premiums for all active and retired employees, increases wages and pension benefits, ends subcontracting of work in a number of job areas, converts many temporary jobs to permanent, and gives union rights to hundreds of Verizon Business technicians and workers in Verizon’s FiOS division. The agreement also calls for Verizon to provide $2 million towards a healthcare reform project and streamlines a grievance dispute resolution system. "This is a breakthrough agreement in many ways," said CWA President Larry Cohen. "This settlement provides a framework for growth at Verizon and a good standard of living with careers for our members." The settlement followed dozens of rallies in DC and worksites across the East Coast and came less than 24 hours before a new contract deadline set by workers on Friday. Workers extended the previous contract deadline and postponed a strike late last Saturday night after progress was made on many critical issues (Verizon Workers Postpone Strike 8/4/08 UC). Workers will vote on ratification of the contract in the coming weeks. Click here for more info on the agreement.