As of January 15, 2022, a federal mandate requires most people with a health plan can go online, or to a pharmacy or store to purchase an approved at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge through their insurance. This applies whether you purchased your health plan on your own or whether you get health insurance through your job.

The Biden-Harris Administration is strongly incentivizing health plans and insurers to set up a network of convenient locations across the country such as pharmacies or retailers where people with private health coverage will be able to order online or walk in and pick up at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free, rather than going through the process of having to submit claims for reimbursement.

For Verizon Members, the cost of over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 test kits will be covered by our prescription insurance carrier, Express Scripts, with no out-of-pocket cost at the point of sale.

You will need your Express Script Insurance Card, which you can get on their website HERE.  After logging in, go to: Account-> Member ID Card, and download your card. You can also call Express Scripts at 877-877-1878 to request a card.

The List of FDA Approved Tests is Below:

• • iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
  • BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test
  • BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test
  • InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test
  • Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Home Test
  • QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test
  • Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test
  • BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card 2 Home Test

The mandate requires each active member to be covered for 8 tests per calendar month. Note this is stating 8 total over-the-counter Covid-19 tests per month per covered individual. For example, a box with 2 tests would count as 2 total tests. For example, a family of 4, all on the same plan, can get up to 32 tests per month.

If you need further clarification please call Express Scripts at 877-877-1878.

 

Update – While the vaccine mandate is on hold while the issue is being argued in the Federal Court, VZ’s requirement to submit vaccination status remains in place, and employees should comply.

On October 14, 2021, Verizon notified IBEW & CWA of its intent to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for the unionized workforce unless an individual has a medical or religious exemption. The Company cited safety of employees and customers and the need to comply with federal, state, local, and customer requirements.

IBEW & CWA requested to bargain over the effects that a mandate may have on our members. On November 16, 2021, the Company presented a Last Best Final offer, which included modifications based on the Union’s counter proposals to Verizon, including extending the deadline for Verizon’s vaccine requirement for the unionized workforce to February 1, 2022. The Unions made a counter-proposal to the Company’s last best final offer which was rejected. Today, Verizon informed IBEW & CWA the parties are at an impasse and that they intend to impose the terms outlined in their Last Best Final offer.

The following are some of the key aspects of the Company’s last offer:

• January 4th:
  • Submit proof of vaccination, or apply for a legally recognized religious or medical accommodation
• February 1^st:
  • Fully vaccinated and submit proof
  • Have an approved or review pending accommodation 
• Failure to Comply:
  • Placed on 60 day unpaid leave
  • During this leave, if you prove full vaccination you return to work
  • During this leave, if you prove partial vaccination you return to work and follow safety protocols
    • You will have 6 weeks from 1^st dose to get 2^nd dose and be fully vaccinated
  • During leave, if you do not do anything you will be separated after 60 days
• Partial Vaccination by Feb 1^st:
  • Continue working under safety protocols
  • Need to be fully vaccinated within 6 weeks of Feb 1^st
  • If you do not have 2^nd dose in 6 weeks then place on 60 day unpaid leave
• Apply for Legal Accommodation:
  • If an accommodation is denied or expires you will be placed on 60 day unpaid leave
• Up to 4 hours paid time off for 1^st or 2^nd dose of vaccine
  • If there is an adverse reaction to vaccine and test is needed, paid time off will be granted by the company
• Lose your Proof of Vaccine:
  • Company will consider extending timelines as long as there is a good faith effort to obtain proof of vaccine
• Company will secure vaccine records and keep separate from personnel records
• Fully Vaccinated is currently defined as 2 weeks after a 2 dose vaccine or 2 weeks after a 1 dose vaccine
• Company will provide periodic reports to the Union on vaccine status, approved, denied or pending accommodation requests
• If Government vaccine requirements change the Company will discuss with the Union.

 

Click here to read Vaccine Mandate Legal Issues FAQ’s

In October, Verizon informed the IBEW T-6 Council of their intent to mandate the COVID vaccine. Legally, the Union cannot prevent this mandate, but we can bargain the effects of this mandate. The effects include a process where a member can be exempt for medical or religious reasons and the ramifications of a member who does not follow the mandate.

Our first meeting was Tuesday, November 2, 2021. The meeting was strictly an informational gathering process where the Union requested information from the company.

The council will not have another scheduled meeting until we go through the answers that we receive from our questions.

We will keep you updated as we continue to meet with Verizon.

IBEW Local 2222 has a team in the Housing Families 5K Fundraiser, and we’d love to have you join us.  The event will be held on Saturday, November 20th, at BOND, 10 Cabot Road, Medford. Registration begins at 9:00 AM.

Refreshments and bathrooms will be available onsite. After you complete the 5K, join us next door for food, drinks, and celebrating at The Porch restaurant.

If you are unable to join the live event, you can complete your own 5K (3.1 miles) over the 2-day period, from November 20-21. Check out the participant guide for directions on how to track your race and time.

To register for the IBEW 2222 Team, Please Click Here. You must register by October 25th to guarantee a shirt.

To make a donation Please Click Here.

As always, Thank You for all you do to support our adopted charities!

Congratulations to our Siemens Imaging Group Members, who have overwhelmingly ratified a new 4-year Collective Bargaining Agreement. This new contract will run through September 30, 2025. We will post the contract on this website when we receive it.

Verizon announced that management and non-union employees who report to company buildings and retail stores will be mandated to be vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have a medical or religious exemption. 

As of this date, union members are not included in this vaccine mandate. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, before it can be implemented, it must be negotiated with the Union.

We will keep the membership up to date when the bargaining is scheduled. Please visit our website and call the union tape for any updates.

 

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

 

 

   

 

The 2021 Jack O’Shea Golf Tournament was held on Friday, October 1, 2021, at the Franklin Park – William Devine Golf Course in Dorchester. Thank you to all of our sponsors and players for another great tournament. The Jack O’Shea tournament benefits the Local 2222 Benevolent Fund, which is used to support charitable organizations that our members are involved with.

Special thanks to our four event sponsors listed above!

 

Save the date for next year.

The 2022 Jack O’Shea Golf Tournament will be held on
Friday, September 30, 2022 – See you there!