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A great new contract, but there's still much more to do!

[0]Myles CalveyVerizon workers won a great new contract. There's no mystery about the negotiation process. It was achieved because of the unity and involvement of the membership. Everyone should be very proud.

But we can't sit back and relax. We have lots of work to do to make sure that Verizon honors this agreement and starts respecting members for their hard work and dedication. To achieve this goal, it's essential that members are well informed about their rights and united. Work closely with your steward and business agent and stay vigilant on the job.

At the local level, we will be holding quarterly meetings with top management to try to resolve problems faster. Make sure that your steward and business agent are well informed about what is going on so that these meetings can be productive. IBEW and CWA will also be holding meetings with top Verizon management three times a year to discuss jobs, sub-contracting, and company issues.

Personally, the most important feature of our new agreement is that more of the jobs of the future in FiOS and VZB at Verizon will have the good pay, benefits, and job rights that come with a union contract.

I'm also especially proud of the fact that we will maintain our health care and pension benefits, while getting Verizon to commit to working with labor for reforms at the national level that would make health care a right instead of a privilege!

Integrating the Verizon Business techs into the union environment will be challenging for everyone. Please be patient with the process and extend a warm welcome to these new members.

With Labor Day and the election "political season" fast approaching, members need to make sure that they are registered to vote and ready to participate in politics at every level. I can't emphasize enough just how important our COPE political program contributes to our power at the bargaining table and beyond. If you spoke with any elected officials prior to the contract expiration, be sure to mention what we achieved and thank them for their support.

Finally, it's tempting to return to work, satisfied with the good wages, benefits, and job security that we all enjoy. But think for a minute about what is happening in the world. The economy is going down hill fast. People are losing their homes in record numbers. Unemployment is up. Gas prices are through the roof. "No man is an island" -- and neither is our union.

All of us have a responsibility to assist other workers to improve their lives in the same manner that we have – by sticking together and helping each other. Our number one political priority going forward will be winning the Employee Free Choice Act so that more workers can do just that. Remember: "An injury to one is an injury to all."

Get involved now. The job you save will be your own.

Myles addresses crowd at 185 Franklin St, Boston