Verizon Southwest Tentative Agreement Highlights

Articles
Article 1 - Union Recognition – No Changes
Article 2 - Definitions – Service Emergencies added “as determined by the Region President” to definition.
Article 3 - Grievance Procedure – No Changes
Article 4 - Wages – 8.5% total, which is 8.774% compounded over the life of the agreement:  2% upon ratification; 2% on August 11, 2013;
      2% on August 10, 2014; 2.5% on August 9, 2015
Article 5 - Differential Pay – No Changes
Article 6 - Premium Pay – Section 5.1.1. – Improvements
Article 7 - Overtime Pay Treatment – No Changes
Article 8 - Holidays – No Changes
Article 9 - Vacations – Language clean up. 5.3.2 allows employees with 3 or more weeks of vacation to split two weeks of day at a time. Moved 6.3 to 5.3
Article 10 - Work Schedules & Tours – No Changes
Article 11 - Working Practices - Section 10 paragraph 10.2 increase mileage to prevailing IRS allowable. Added 10.3 for IRS prevailing allowable
Article 12 - Job Application Procedures – Captured $5,000 lump-sum relocation allowance and mileage one way at prevailing IRS allowable
Article 13 - Classification and Reclassification – No Changes
Article 14 - Board and Lodging – 3.1 and 3.2 increased mileage to prevailing IRS allowable. 5.2 increase meal allowance from $7 to $8; 5.2.1 changes as follows:
Distance 0-20 miles increased from $5.75 to $6.25
Distance over 20 and up to 40 increased from $22.50 to $23.00
Distance over 40 and up to 60 increased from $30.50 to $31.00
Distance greater than 60 increased from $37.50 to $38.00
5.2.2 increase to prevailing IRS allowable; 5.2.4.1 increases:
Breakfast from $6.50 to $7.00
Lunch from $7.75 to $8.25
Dinner from $13.25 to $13.75
7.2 increase to prevailing IRS allowable; 7.2.1 increase to prevailing IRS allowable

Article 15 – Net Credited Service – No Changes
Article 16 – Seniority – No Changes
Article 17 – Force Adjustment – No Changes
Article 18 – Tools and Equipment – No Changes
Article 19 – Safety Practices – No Changes
Article 20 – Authorized Absences – No Changes
Article 21 – Leaves of Absences – No Changes
Article 22 – Termination Allowance – No Changes
Article 23 – Pensions – (See new MOA)
Article 24 – Deductions of Union Dues – No Changes
Article 25 – Union Business and Responsibilities – No Changes
Article 26 – Company Rights and Responsibilities – No Changes
Article 27 – Contract Labor – No Changes
Article 28 – Group Insurance – No Changes to Dental or Vision. Medical changes are as follows:

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STARTS JUNE 1, 2013
    ***THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS ARE FOR NON TOBACCO USERS*** 
2013 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013:
EMPLOYEE $45.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $90.00
2014 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014:
EMPLOYEE $50.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $100.00
2015 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015: 
EMPLOYEE $55.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $110.00
2016 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
EMPLOYEE $70.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $140.00

   ***THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS ARE FOR TOBACCO USERS***

2013 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013:
EMPLOYEE: $95.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $140.00
2014 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014:
EMPLOYEE $100.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $150.00
2015 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015: 
EMPLOYEE $105.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $160.00
2016 CONTRIBUTIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
EMPLOYEE $120.00   EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE $190.00

The above contributions include an annual $100.00 credit for completing a Health Risk Assessment
***If you elect to not take the assessment you will pay an additional $8.33 per month***

Regular part time employees will pay:
   Less than 17 hours per week:    100% of premium
   17 hours but less than 25 hours per week:  50% of premium
   25 hours a week or more:    Same as regular full time employees
 
ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES IN NETWORK:
 2013    EMPLOYEE: $400.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1000.00
 2014    EMPLOYEE: $450.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1125.00
 2015    EMPLOYEE: $475.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1187.50
 2016    EMPLOYEE: $525.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1312.50

 ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES OUT OF NETWORK:
 2013    EMPLOYEE: $650.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1625.00
 2014    EMPLOYEE: $700.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1750.00
 2015    EMPLOYEE: $725.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1812.50
 2016    EMPLOYEE: $750.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $1875.00

 ANNUAL OUT OF POCKET MAXIMUMS IN NETWORK:
 2013    EMPLOYEE: $1500.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $3750.00
 2014    EMPLOYEE: $1500.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $3750.00
 2015    EMPLOYEE: $1500.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $3750.00
 2016    EMPLOYEE: $1500.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $3750.00

 ANNUAL OUT OF POCKET MAXIMUMS OUT OF NETWORK:
 2013    EMPLOYEE: $1750.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $4375.00
 2014    EMPLOYEE: $1800.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $4500.00
 2015    EMPLOYEE: $1900.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $4750.00
 2016    EMPLOYEE: $2000.00  EMPLOYEE PLUS ONE OR MORE: $5000.00

All preventive care covered at 100% and no deductible. Age and frequency provisions of the Affordable Care Act apply.
 All in network services covered at 80%
 All out of network services covered at 70%
Dr Visits:       Copay changed from $15.00 to $20.00
 Specialist:       $25.00 Copay
 Allergy Shots:      Copay changed from $5.00 to $10.00
 Emergency Room:      $75.00 in or out of network. Waived if admitted
 Diagnostic Lab and X-ray in office:    Copay changed from $15.00 to $20.00
 Chiropractor:       Copay changed from $15.00 to $25.00
 Diagnostic Lab and X-ray:     Copay $20.00 changed from 80% coverage
 Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy:  Copay $25.00 changed from 80% coverage
 Radiation Therapy:      Copay $25.00 if done in office
 Speech Therapy:      Copay $25.00 changed from 80% coverage. No expanded speech therapy for children.
 Urgent Care:       $20.00 Copay
 Mental Health Substance Abuse outpatient:   Copay changed from $15.00 to $20.00. Specialist is $25.00 copay

Article 29 – Sickness and Disability – Section 2 paragraph 2.2.5: eliminated the 6 month waiver for employees with less than 240 months (20 years) and     Section 3 paragraph 3.1: eliminated the waiver for recurring sickness within two calendar weeks.
Article 30 – Military Leave Agreement – No Change
Article 31 – Contents and Validation – No Change
Article 32 – Duration – 4 year contract expires August 6, 2016
 
 

MOA’S RENEW WITH NO OTHER CHANGES:

 
Adoption Assistance
Arbitration Procedure
Business Attire
Collocation – SBC CO
Common Control Scheduling
Contract Labor
Contract Labor Reporting
COPE Payroll Deduction
Customer Technician Intern
Dental Plan
Family Medical Leaves of Absence (FMLA)
Fiber Network Field Technician
Fios Jobs of the Future
Flexible Reimbursement Plan
Force Adjustment
Force Adjustment Boundaries
Four Day Workweek
Hearing Aid Benefit
Home Dispatch
Hourly Savings Plan (HSP)
Income Security Plan (ISP)
Language Assistance Retail Sales Consultant
Long Term Care Disability
Lump Sum Payment Option
Mail Order Prescription Plan (MOPP)
Network Assistant
Non-Precedent Setting Agreement
On-Call Premium Pay
Pension Plan Survivor Benefits
Personal Lines of Insurance
Prescription Identification Card (PIC)
Relocation Allowances
Retail Sales Incentive Compensation Plan
Retiree Life Insurance
Supplemental Term Life Insurance
Team Performance Award
Telephone Concession
Testing
Vacation Donation
Vehicle Maintenance Mechanic/ Vehicle Maintenance Technician
Vision Plan
Voluntary Layoff Leave of Absence
Voluntary Termination Bonus
Workplace Performance Monitoring/Recording
 

MOA’S NEW, HOUSEKEEPING AND RENEW WITH MODIFICATIONS:

Comprehensive Medical – See Article 28 Group Insurance
Consumer Sales Incentive Compensation Plan – Other unpaid absences changed to 5 days or more
Long Term Care Plan – Company will continue to provide if they can find a carrier
National Sales Incentive Compensation Plan – Other unpaid absences changed to 5 days or more
Point of Service (POS) Plan for DFW Area – Plan will be eliminated May 31, 2013
Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) – Effective August 16, 2009 a new hire will be eligible for an annual benefit for Medical. The annual benefit will be $400.00 for each year of credited service up to a maximum of 30 years. Example: An employee works 30 years. Multiply 30 years by $400.00. The annual benefit will be $12,000.00 per year.
Consumer Sales Consultant Sales Incentive Compensation Plan – CSSC employees on wage schedule DD will no longer be on the “RIC” program. These employees will now be on a 90/10 compensation plan. Wage rate will remain the same but compensation will be paid in cash instead of award perqs.
Cross Functional Work Sharing – Employees in the CSSC, BSBC and FSC will be cross trained in limited capacity to handle misrouted calls and simple customer requests. 50 regular full time newly hired employees will be added to either the CSSC, BSBC, FSC or a combination of all.
Health Reimbursement Account – Upon ratification an HRA account will be made available to all employees. The benefit will be $650.00 for full time employees and $325.00 for part time employees. Balances will carry over annually until depleted or until the expiration of this agreement.
Pension Benefits – No new hires will be eligible for the Pension plan. An enhanced 401k option will be made available for all new hires after August 1, 2013. Existing employees’ wages will be frozen as of the transition date of September 1, 2013. Any further job upgrades to higher wage classifications will result in a 6% wage increase after holding the position for 24 months.
Special Payment for Formal Training – Employees who are called upon to train other employees will be given an additional $1.00 per hour that such training takes place.
Work at Home Trial: Trial will begin on January 1, 2014 and ends on August 6, 2016. Employees in the CSSC, BSBC, FSC and APC are eligible. Conditions apply.

LETTERS OF AGREEMENT CORE:

NEW: Commitment to Savings Plan for New Hires
NEW: LTD Open Enrollment

RENEW: CIF Technological Change
RENEW: Call Center Partnership Committee
RENEW: Overtime Committee

BURIED SERVICE WIRE

Article 7 – Working Practices – Company will pay supplemental pay up to 100% of base pay for up to 15 days. Improvements in Workers’ Compensation Benefits.
Article 8 – Short Term Disability – Article 8 Section 8.5 eliminated.
Article 9 – Group Insurance – Same as Core
Article 14 – Union Business – Elimination of three Union Days
Comprehensive Medical MOA – Same as Core
Health Reimbursement Account – Same as Core

LETTERS OF AGREEMENT BSW:
RENEW: Basic Life Insurance
RENEW: Telephone Concession
RENEW: Time in Title Requirement

Ratification Bonus of $1100 if contract is ratified by March 14, 2013.  Bonus will be paid out 30 days after ratification.