Workers at Idearc Media Driven to Action by Company’s Refusal to Bargain

After months of contract negotiations in which Idearc Media refused to bargain in good faith with the three unions representing workers, and then declared an impasse in order to unilaterally impose an unfair contract, Idearc workers and retirees have chosen to act. Idearc, a Verizon spin-off company, publishes the Verizon Yellow Pages and is only the latest company in a long line that has employed members of CWA Locals 1301 and 1302 and IBEW Local 2213. For nearly 50 years these three locals have fought for sales representatives and clerical workers, beginning at the New England Telephone Company and then at Nynex, Bell Atlantic, Verizon and finally, Idearc. The one constant throughout the many years of changing management has been the talented workforce, which has helped build the company and make it profitable over the years.

Since Verizon spun off their Information Services division to become Idearc in 2006, saddling Idearc with $9 billion of Verizon's debt, there have been a number of poor management decisions which have put the company in financial difficulty. However, management has chosen not to take accountability for their own misguided decisions, such as increasing their own compensation, which resulted in the company's stock tumbling from $38.00 per share to $4.47. They have instead unilaterally imposed cuts on employee benefits by declaring an impasse in contract negotiations and implementing their most recent offer. The unions have challenged this action, asserting that Idearc failed to bargain in good faith, and have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board. Charges are currently pending.

Since November 23, 2007, when the company imposed their most recent contract offer, workers have been forced to accept inferior health insurance coverage while paying a higher premium share. Workers have had their pensions frozen as of December 2007, despite the fact that the pension fund has a healthy surplus. Sales representatives are now earning less in compensation, and clerical, sales workers and artists lost job security language, with some artwork already outsourced to India.

Retirees have also been adversely affected by Idearc's anti-workers policies, with those who retired after 1991 being forced to accept the inferior coverage imposed upon current members. Even retirees who left as long ago as 1986 are at risk of receiving worse coverage with higher premiums.

As if this unacceptable and unfairly implemented contract for Idearc workers was not enough to stir the passions of workers, the fact that the company then has the audacity to routinely break the contract that they unilaterally imposed put this unfortunate situation over the top. The unions have filed additional charges with the NLRB to address these contract violations.

Recognizing that management at Idearc does not have the decency to negotiate a fair contract without facing significant pressure, CWA Locals 1301 and 1302 will hold a rally to support Idearc workers and retirees in their fight for a fair contract on Saturday, March 29^th at 10:00 a.m., at the Boston Teachers Union Hall at 150 Mt. Vernon St. in Boston.

Please come out to support our Brothers and Sisters at Idearc on March 29^th. For more information visit www.cwa-union.org/idearc or call (617) 524-8778.