A message to all IBEW members at Verizon from Myles Calvey

July 30, 2008

It's Our Time

Myles CalveyNow it's time. It's time for the company to recognize our hard work and dedication that has earned Verizon billions of dollars in profits. It's time to get the dignity and respect that each and every one of us deserves.

When we kicked off our contract mobilization a year ago, we were fully aware of the huge challenge we faced to achieve a fair contract. Members, stewards and union leaders have all worked hard to get everyone ready. We've rallied and organized. We've picketed and protested. And we've talked on the job and off it about important issues like health care, job security and "tearing down the wall" for the jobs of the future. 

Working closely with the CWA, we've brought these and many other issues to the bargaining table. Management has responded favorably in some areas. But they are still stuck on their shortsighted "bottom line" agenda.

We are still far apart on health care costs (especially retiree health insurance coverage), lump sum pension payments, contracting out, corporate profit sharing, cost of living allowances and many, many other issues.

There is plenty of time left to reach an agreement and as I've said all along, we will only strike as a last resort. But if we have to strike we will. As Local 2222 President Ed Fitzpatrick has said so often, "We paid the price to get here. We'll pay the price to stay!"

Keith Bonasoro is a steward over at the Bowdoin Square C.O. Young people like him are the future of our union. Yesterday he said, "Sure I'm nervous. But now it's our turn. Whatever price we pay is our responsibility to our parents and grandparents. It's our responsibility to our children and their children."

And make no mistake about it, it's also our responsibility to the communities where we live. We are fighting not just for union families, but for working families everywhere. We are fighting for the kind of jobs that are rapidly disappearing in America. The jobs that pay living wages and good benefits. Jobs that allow our families to succeed. Jobs that pay taxes to support quality public education and important services. Jobs that make America work.

Verizon is intent on transforming itself from a regulated telephone company to a communications and entertainment juggernaut. That's fine. But it's our moral duty to make sure that as the company evolves, we protect everyone -- past and future.

We've come down to the final days before our contract expires. Whether you've been an active member or not, from this point forward we are all in it together. To succeed, we need to stay calm and stick together. United in our unions, we will prevail!