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Seidenberg to Massachusetts: "You're for sale!"

"By converting most of its landline operation to FiOS, Mr. Seidenberg said Verizon had a new opportunity to cut costs sharply. FiOS uses the decentralized structure of the Internet rather than the traditional design of phone systems, which route all traffic through a tree of regional, then local offices.

"We don't look any different than Google," he said. "We can begin to look at eliminating central offices, call centers and garages."

- From "Verizon Boss Hangs Up on Landline Phone Business," by Saul Hansell, New York Times, September 17, 2009

This recent quote by Verizon Chairman Ivan Seidenberg is the most chilling declaration yet that "job security" is a fleeting benefit. The proposed elimination of these work locations affects every Verizon employee. Seidenberg's statement puts all employees without job security language on notice that you will eventually be looking for a new job. 

For the rest of us (pre-2003 hires), his message is clear: "You will have a job, but more than likely you will have to travel to keep it and you may not be working for Verizon!"

The entire New York Times interview with Seidenberg is a "wake up call" for our membership. If you would like a copy of the entire article, call the Local 2222 union hall.

Seidenberg is essentially saying that all of Verizon's landline operations are for sale -- including Massachusetts!

The implications of such a sale are predestined. We've seen the impact in Hawaii. We've seen the impact with Idearc. We've seen the impact in the northern New England states. In all three cases, the quality of service declined. In all three cases, the new company was burdened by enormous debt. In all three cases, the number of jobs declined and workers were asked to take concessions in pay and benefits.

We cannot sit back and wait for announcements from management about our future. We can't be caught off guard or unprepared for a sale that is inevitable. 

How much time do we have? Your guess is as good as mine. But I believe that telephone workers must come together now to plan our strategy to either stop a sale or find a well-qualified and more "labor friendly" buyer.