Over 65,000 telecommunications workers at Verizon who voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if a new contract was not reached by midnight on August 2^nd are going to work for the time being, despite the fact that a new agreement has not been reached. The bargaining committees for the IBEW and CWA have agreed to "stop the clock" on the contract expiration, as significant progress has been made on key issues throughout the past week. While the unions reserve the right to strike at any time, with other key issues still unresolved, the recent progress has shown that Verizon is willing to bargain in good faith, due in large part to the mobilization efforts which have sent a strong message of unity to the company.

In a message to membership through the joint CWA and IBEW newsletter, Unity at Verizon, on August 1^st, the unions informed their members that the massive mobilization efforts throughout the month of July have had a definite impact on bargaining. During negotiations, "company representatives got up from the bargaining table in New York for a call with company management in D.C. about our mobilization efforts. There's no question, our bargainers say, ‘You're getting to them. We hear it from the company.'"

This call between Verizon negotiators and company management took place the day after a massive rally in Boston, where over 1,000 telecom workers and their supporters came out to show their solidarity. Click here to read about the rally.

The unions and the company have agreed to extend the existing agreement until a new contract is reached or until the union bargaining committees call a strike. Bargaining has continued almost around the clock since the contract expired, and has centered largely on several unresolved issues relating to job language. The unions want to ensure that as the nature of jobs in the telecom industry change due to technology, the jobs of the future go to members of the bargaining unit. A bargaining update on the website of IBEW Local 2222 states, "These negotiations are all about ensuring that our members will be full participants in the future of this company and in this industry, not walled off and excluded from the jobs and future that we have made possible."

The issue of jobs and technology are critically important in these negotiations because under the last agreement, Verizon subcontracted what should have been bargaining unit work to outside firms. The unions want to ensure that any existing loopholes in job language are closed. IBEW Local 2222 states in a bargaining update, "Verizon's rapid shift from copper to fiber - and beyond in the future - makes it clear that we must negotiate a contract that secures the jobs of the future and opportunities for our members, addresses subcontracting, expands bargaining rights for workers and provides for employment security."

While the IBEW and CWA are optimistic about achieving a fair contract at the bargaining table, they have cautioned their members that an acceptable contract may still have to be achieved through unity on the picket line. Whatever the means, the unions have assured their members that a fair contract will be reached. If not at the bargaining table, Verizon workers have already demonstrated that they have the unity to take on the company and win.

For frequent updates on negotiations, please visit www.ibew2222.org.