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IBEW2326 Telephone Workers Strike
Verizon's Response to employee concerns 1. Unions Seek Organizing Concessions at Verizon Wireless While the unions are seeking organizing concessions at Verizon Wireless, there is nothing to prevent the unions from conducting organizing campaigns right now, using procedures under the National Labor Relations Act. These are large unions with lots of resources. Verizon Wireless is a separate company from the Verizon Communications telephone or "wireline" companies. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture with Vodafone AirTouch, with Verizon Communications owning 55 percent of the venture. Verizon Wireless has its own board of directors and is responsible for its own labor relations. 2. Unions Want to Address Issues of Customer Service Representative Stress & Forced Overtime The customer service representative's job is a demanding one in every industry, not just telecommunications. We are sensitive to these concerns and are discussing them with the unions. We provide our customer service representatives with generous vacation time (up to 5 weeks depending on length of service with the company) up to 11 holidays and 4 excused work days with pay. The current contracts contain provisions for the assignment of mandatory overtime, and we follow those provisions. Also, when we hire customer service representatives, we inform them that overtime may be required. 3. Unions are concerned about Movement of Work and Loss of Union Jobs In order to compete effectively, Verizon Communications needs the flexibility to efficiently manage operations by moving workloads to match customer service demands at different times of the day or week. Both the Verizon operating companies and the unions have a vested interest in our ability to compete successfully. This will enable us to grow our business and add union-represented jobs. And our business is growing. Thus far this year we've added more than 3,000 union-represented jobs in New York, New England and the Mid Atlantic States, and we have plans to add several thousand more union-represented jobs by the end of the year. 4. Unions are concerned about Pensions The Verizon Communications companies propose improvements in pension plans for active employees that would help ensure a secure retirement.	Verizon Provides Tips for Consumers during Strike By Harry Mitchell & Steve Marcus August 7, 2000 - Consumers are experiencing no problems making phone calls and cruising the Internet during the work stoppage in Verizon Communications' Northeast service area. Customers calling directory assistance or ordering new phone service will likely encounter delays, however. Verizon is the national telecommunications company formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE. The work stoppage affects customers in the former Bell Atlantic service area, from Maine to the Virginias. "We are doing everything we can to resolve this situation as quickly as possible to get a fair contract for our employees, company and - most importantly - our customers," said Eric Rabe, Verizon vice president-media relations. "Customer service is the essence of our company, and our objective is to minimize the impact of this work stoppage on our 25 million customers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. "Verizon's telephone network - which is fully automated and uses the latest in digital switching and transmission technology - is handling local and long distance calls without any interruption," said Rabe. "So customers can dial away and keep surfing the 'Net using our network. "The Verizon network will keep processing over one billion calls per average business day in the area affected by the work stoppage." Some services may be affected by the work stoppage. The following tips may help customers during this dispute: Use the book - or the Web. If you're having trouble getting through to Verizon's 411 service, try the reliable Verizon White and Yellow Pages directory to find the number. And you might want to try Verizon's Big Yellow Internet site (www.bigyellow.com), where it's easy to find just about any residential or business listing in the United States. Patience on repair - If you're having trouble with your home phone, check the inside wiring in your house or telephone before calling the Verizon repair center. Handy instructions for checking your wiring or phones are available in the front section of your White Pages directory. In addition, residential customers can troubleshoot any problems in their inside wiring or phone by accessing Verizon's Web site at www.verizon.com, pulling down the "Customer Support" menu, clicking on the "Bell Atlantic customer support" button, and following the instructions. The site also will allow you to file a trouble report with Verizon electronically. By using these alternatives, you may avoid a potentially unnecessary call to repair. During a work stoppage, repairs likely will be delayed. Hold off on ordering that new line - If possible, put off that order for a new or additional phone line for your home or business until the strike ends. If you have ordered a new line, be prepared for a somewhat longer than normal wait. Wait a few days with billing questions - If you have a question about your Verizon phone bill, don't call the 411 or "0" operator. Employees who answer these calls will not be able to help you with your bill. If you have a pressing question, please call the regular Verizon business office number, which is listed on the front page of your bill. Employees will be able to answer your question, but you might experience some delays reaching them. Again, if the question is not pressing, you may want to hold off calling the business office for a few days.
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 95 million access lines and 25 million wireless customers. A Fortune 10 company with more than 260,000 employees and approximately $60 billion in 1999 revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

Editor's Note The above pieces are from the view point of telephone company management. The union has been asked for their viewpoint. But as of yet, I have received no response.

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