Verizon Southwest Bargaining - Response to Pedro

Your elected Bargaining Committee wishes to respond to Pedro’s letter and give you the Union’s perspective of negotiations.

As stated in Pedro’s letter he says “there continues to be a lack of progress and we are deadlocked on a number of significant issues.” The Union has never felt that we are deadlocked on any issue. We do agree that the progress has been slow and with that said, the Union has reached out to the Federal Mediator for assistance to see if we could have a third party assist with the process. When the mediator contacted the Company he was advised, by the Company, that his services were not needed. We ask the Company with all the critical items that are on the table, “Why would you not agree to Federal Mediation?” The Company’s response was, “We do not feel we need their assistance.”

A few days after being notified from the Mediator of this decision, the Company presented us what they are calling their “Last, Best and Final” offer. We want to advise you, our members, that we are trying to bargain with Verizon in good faith and use all resources available to both parties to reach a fair and just contract for you. However, it takes both sides to want to achieve this and we advise you it is not the Union who is holding this process up.

It is odd to your Bargaining Committee that Pedro has become so involved with the contract over the past two weeks. Pedro wants to bargain with our members by circumventing Article I of the contract which states the Union shall be the exclusive Collective Bargaining Agency. Pedro’s lack of respect for the agreement between the Company and the Union just further indicates his disdain for the Collective Bargaining process and will do anything to bust up our Union. We can’t allow this to happen. We must remain focused on bargaining with Verigreedy Verizon at the bargaining table. We ask you, the members, to continue to support your Bargaining Committee to reach an agreement that reflects your sacrifices and hard work.

We have been bargaining since July 11, 2012 and we have yet to see Pedro at the table. We invite Pedro to come visit with us at any time.

In Unity,
Your 2012/2013 CWA Bargaining Committee