Verizon cuts violate pact, union says

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/10/10/union_says_verizon_layoffs_violate_contract/

By Hiawatha Bray
Globe Staff / October 10, 2009

Verizon Communications laid off about 200 technicians in Massachusetts and Rhode Island yesterday as part of an effort to cut its workforce by 8,000 workers nationwide. But officials of the union that represents those employees plan to challenge the layoffs, saying they violate the terms of its contract with Verizon.

“There’s plenty of work for these guys, but they chose not to make it available,’’ said Myles Calvey, business manager for Local 2222 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Boston.

Calvey said the union’s contract requires Verizon to avoid layoffs by giving jobs performed by outside contractors to union workers who would otherwise be cut, and said Verizon has refused to do so. The union wants an independent arbitrator to settle the matter, according to Calvey. “We’re fairly confident that an arbitrator will give us some work back,’’ he said.

Verizon spokesman Phil Santoro denied that the company had violated the union pact. “All of the job reductions are done in accordance with the contracts with union employees,’’ he said. The union said it was able to strike a bargain with Verizon that prevented a planned layoff of an additional 62 workers.

FULL story at link.

I try and send him your stuff (he's also a harley rider...lol) and thought you would be interested in his reply. Have a good rest of the weekend and a hello to Marta...




They love to lay people off just before the holidays.....get 'em off the payroll. Just business as usual for this company. Luckily here in New Jersey we have a 'no layoff" clause in our last contract. We are safe for a little bit but the company makes it very clear they would love nothing better than to shed themselves of us and just contract the work out to the lowest bidder.....no matter how it affects the customer.