Myles Calvey 

April 17, 2008

We are fast approaching the 100 day mark before our contract with Verizon expires.

Let me make some things very clear for everyone about where things stand with management.

· We have NO agreement on any contract issues.
· We are not currently in negotiations or any early bargaining.

I don't have to remind anyone about how management is treating employees.  Forced overtime, surveillance, excessive discipline, unreasonable productively standards, harassment, discrimination, lack of regard for safety and health, etc etc.

That same attitude prevails towards our union.  Management refuses to settle members' grievances, forcing everyone to wait for time consuming and expensive arbitrations.  Management will not get serious about our major concerns on safety, productivity and job security.  And management refuses to remove the wall between our jobs and Verizon Business and Wireless.

The current labor relationship with Verizon can best be described as terrible.  If I were to compare it to any other time, it would be to 1989.  As everyone knows, we went on a 17-week strike in 1989 to preserve our health care benefits and win respect for our essential contribution as workers to this company’s success.

We are facing the exact same scenario in 2008.  We are clearly headed for a confrontation.  I hope it does not require a strike, but make no mistake, we must be prepared for one.

For that reason, our mobilization to unite the membership for a good contract has begun.  This is an all out war with management to maintain the good, family wage jobs that our communities need: 

· Jobs with health care benefits
· Jobs with a secure retirement
· Jobs with good vacation and sick time
· Jobs with dignity
· Jobs where every member has a voice.

Let me make something very clear.  We can't win these kinds of jobs without every member’s involvement.   Or as Woburn steward Johnny Colleran said, "You don't have to do much, but everyone has to do something.  Otherwise you can kiss making a good living working only one job goodbye!"

Forty years ago we struck for major improvements in our wages and working conditions.  Twenty years ago we fought for even more improvements in our wages and working conditions. 
These were long, painful, but ultimately successful actions.  Everyone sacrificed – and some even died – for what we have.

So let me make one more thing perfectly clear.  We have a responsibility to the earlier generations who sacrificed.  We have a responsibility to our children.   And we have a responsibility to our communities to maintain our good wages and benefits.

As Verizon workers, we make this company a highly profitable and successful enterprise.  So it's especially sad to see the mentality of the current Verizon top management.  While they are reaping ten and even fifteen percent raises on top of their million dollar salaries, they expect union members to freeze their wages and pay for health care.  That’s pure corporate greed.

Nothing can stand up in the path of their greed except a united membership.  So, rather than be complacent, I'm asking for every member to get involved.  Learn about your rights.  Study our history.  Know your contract.  Then, participate in mobilization.  Participate in our union meetings.  Participate in political action though our COPE committees.

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

Click Here to Read Myles' Letter to Ivan

Click Here to Read the Company's Response

Myles addresses crowd at 185 Franklin St, Boston during Proxy Collection Day