As you already know, CWA IBEW and Verizon began meeting for a three week period to attempt to negotiate the terms of a possible extension to the collective bargaining agreements that are set to expire in August 2023. We have agreed with the Company to continue meeting for the rest of this week and if necessary, to extend the negotiations into next week. 

We will provide additional updates as appropriate.

  CWA Night

  Yankees vs RedSox

  Saturday, July 16th at 7:05 PM

Join the Communication Workers of America and the New York Yankees for a fun-filled day at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees take on the Boston Red Sox.

The first 1,000 fans who purchase through this offer will receive an exclusive New York Yankees hat co-branded with the CWA logo.

https://offer.fevo.com/yankees-vs-red-sox-bsymcew-e76c1e2?fevoUri=yankees-vs-red-sox-bsymcew-e76c1e2%2F

CWA victories in New York State budget

New York State finally passed a new budget last weekend – with $220 billion the biggest in its history - and we wanted to update you about our accomplishments in the budget. 

1.     BROADBAND: We won all 4 of our major demands regarding the historic $1.6 billion in state and Federal dollars for broadband.

LABOR STANDARDS: Requires applicants for public funding to have high workplace safety standards and a skilled workforce  

FIBER PREFERENCE: Prioritization of networks that are capable of speeds of 1 gigabyte up and down

PREQUALIFICATION: requires any applicant for broadband buildout grant to demonstrate to the state that it is competent to do the job

PREVAILING WAGE: Ensures that good union employers, like ours, don’t get undercut by low-road subcontractors

(We also need to push Verizon to apply for as many different buildout projects as possible!)

An important note on prevailing wage:  Currently, due to litigation that took place between 1997 and 2000, the prevailing wage for publicly funded “telecommunications” work in NYS is a rate based on IBEW “teledata electrician” contracts.  That rate varies county by county, but is in the neighborhood of $38 an hour, with another $25 to $30 for benefits.  In Monroe County, for example, the listed rate is $36 an hour.  In Erie and parts of some of the surrounding counties, the rate is $37.49 going to $39.49 at the end of this May.

In New York City, the rate for city-subsidized (as opposed to state subsidized) “Telecommunication Worker” projects is our contractual rate, $47.03 per hour with $23.15 for benefits.  The Comptroller’s office in NYC, which administers the City prevailing wage program, strongly favors matching the state and city prevailing wages, using our wage as the correct scale.

Two points to keep in mind:

1)     We plan to file a challenge with the DoL asking it to revise the state prevailing wage and use our contract, around the state, to set the “Telecommunications” prevailing wage.  To do so, we will have to demonstrate to the DoL that we have more unionized telecommunications workers under contract than any other union, which we believe to be the case, between Verizon and Frontier.  We will be reaching out to you to help us put together data on what other unions, if any, represent workers in this sector in your regions.

2)     However, even if our challenge fails, imposing a $36 to $39 prevailing wage on all the buildout work that will be subsidized under the state and federal infrastructure programs helps to level the playing field for Verizon.  Under the Cuomo broadband grant program, the work was not covered by prevailing wage, and many contractors came in with bids based on paying workers $20 an hour.  Having a prevailing wage on all the new work will make Verizon’s bids on the work much more competitive, even if the State DoL rejects our challenge.

We will keep you posted on this effort.

2. Funding Hospitals & Supporting Healthcare Workers: Partial Win, more work to be done.

CWA fought to win $1.35 billion dollars for financially distressed hospitals and more in discretionary funding. This money will be distributed based on a plan established by the Commissioner of the Department of Health. We will have to keep pushing to make sure our represented hospitals, which were badly hurt by the pandemic, get a fair share of this new funding to support hospitals designated to offset the impact of Covid-19.

The budget also included funding for up to $3,000 in bonuses for frontline healthcare workers. While we fought for a higher amount, we were pleased to win expanded eligibility to make sure more of our members were eligible for the bonuses.

3. Funding CUNY School of Labor & Museum: WIN!

The budget also included $3.5 million from the Executive and $1.5 million from the Legislature for the CUNY SLU plus another $3 million in funding for the NYC labor museum. The school is dedicated to expanding higher education opportunities for workers, developing the next generation of labor and community leaders, and serving the educational needs of the labor movement and the broader community.

 Once again, these are major victories for CWA on the state level – which would not have happened without the hard work and advocacy of our members standing together. CWA members made hundreds of phone calls, sent thousands of emails, rallied and lobbied to make this happen. But our work is not done – and we have to ensure we stay vigilant when it comes to the implementation of these accomplishments. 

We plan to send an email to NYS members later today regarding this good news. In the next weeks, we will share flyers and other materials so you can share this with your members.

From:           Dennis G. Trainor, Vice President District 1

Date:             April 8, 2022

Subject:        Verizon Bargaining

__________________________________________________________________________

 As you know, our current collective bargaining agreement with Verizon does not expire until August 2023.

However, Verizon, CWA and IBEW are jointly announcing today that we will be entering into three weeks of bargaining beginning May 16, 2022 to determine whether it is possible to agree on the terms of a contract extension.

We will keep you posted on further developments.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES NEW $1 BILLION 'CONNECTALL' INITIATIVE TO BRING AFFORDABLE BROADBAND TO MILLIONS OF NEW YORKERS

ConnectALL Initiative to Transform New York's Digital Infrastructure

First-Of-Its-Kind Interactive Broadband Map to Support Consumer Decision-Making and Identify Areas for Investment

New Grant Programs and Partnerships to Expand Broadband Access, Affordability, and Equity Statewide

Removal of State Fees, Outdated Regulations to Support Growth of Broadband in Rural and Underserved Areas

Governor Hochul today announced the $1 billion ConnectALL initiative - the largest ever investment in New York's 21st century infrastructure - as part of her 2022 State of the State. This plan which will deliver affordable broadband to millions of New Yorkers and transform the state's digital infrastructure through new investments. Under the new ConnectALL initiative, New York State will use over $1 billion in public and private investments to connect New Yorkers in rural and urban areas statewide to broadband.

"The pandemic exposed how without broadband internet, New Yorkers can be disconnected from school, work, and families," Governor Hochul said. "The ConnectALL Initiative will empower local municipalities and state agencies to set up nation-leading broadband infrastructure statewide, ensuring that every New Yorker has access to the internet when they need it."

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how inaccessible and unreliable a broadband connection was for many New Yorkers, who suddenly were forced to live their lives through the internet. It is essential that all New Yorkers have equitable access to the internet, as marginalized communities are most affected by this lack of broadband access.

Closing this remaining digital divide is critical, because having universal access to high-speed broadband in our digital economy is as essential as having heat, water, and electricity. Connectivity helps New Yorkers go to school, work remotely, find a job, start a business, access healthcare, and communicate with loved ones. Further investment in this vital public infrastructure will not only strengthen the progress of our State's initial investment, it will boost economic growth and local innovation far into the future.

Driven by a new ConnectALL Office, this initiative includes:

·         Broadband Assessment Program and Interactive Map: The Broadband Assessment Program, administered by the Public Service Commission, will provide New York with the first ever, in-depth interactive broadband map. This map will detail the availability and reliability of broadband infrastructure statewide, and serve as a useful tool for targeting where investment in broadband connectivity is needed. Consumers will also have the ability to search for broadband providers and review what services are available in their area.

·         Grant Programs: To support local efforts to expand broadband, the ConnectALL initiative will establish three grant programs to provide funding to local municipalities and other entities to plan, engineer, and construct accessible broadband infrastructure. The State will coordinate with municipalities in every corner of New York to ensure funding is directed where it's most needed and that every community has the support and resources to effectively participate. The grant programs are focused on three primary efforts:

o    Local Connectivity Planning and 21st Century Municipal Infrastructure: This program takes a pioneering approach by providing grants to municipalities, non-profits and other entities to construct open and accessible public broadband infrastructure.

o    Rural Broadband: This program will provide matching grants — plus hundreds of millions of forthcoming dollars from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — to support rural broadband access, including last-mile connections and middle-mile projects. 

o    Connectivity Innovation: This program will provide competitive grants to entities statewide to pilot and construct creative, innovative, and new solutions pioneering future breakthroughs.

·         $30-a-month Affordability Subsidy: To further the expansion of affordable broadband, the Department of Public Service will administer efforts to ensure every eligible New Yorker can take advantage of the IIJA's $14 billion Affordability Program to support a permanent $30-a-month broadband subsidy for low-income households. The Department will also conduct a statewide marketing program geared toward increasing enrollment in this program — which currently lags below 30 percent of eligible households in New York.

·         Affordable Housing Connectivity Program: As part of the agency's overall housing plan, New York Homes and Community Renewal will expand the affordability of broadband by working in partnership with Empire State Development to fund the retrofitting all affordable housing projects with broadband installations.

·         Digital Equity Program: To ensure equitable access to broadband statewide, the ConnectALL initiative will embark on a three-pronged effort:

o    Empire State Development will lead the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan in coordination with other State and local government agencies as well as private and not-for-profit organizations;

o    Governor Hochul will establish a Digital Equity Grant Program to support the work of the groups and organizations developing the Statewide Digital Equity Plan; and

o    New York will appoint a Digital Equity Director to coordinate and spearhead these statewide efforts.

·         Removing Fees, Outdated Regulatory Hurdles and Leveraging State Assets. This includes a set of reforms not limited to:

o    A Build-Free Initiative for Rural Broadband Deployment - Eliminate state use and occupancy fees that hinder rural broadband deployment directing the Department of Transportation to exempt ConnectALL projects, reducing costs for program participants.

o    Streamline Make-Ready Processes: Direct the Department of Public Service (DPS) to streamline the current make-ready process.

o    Standardize Right-of-Way Access for Cellular and Fiber Deployments and Establish Clear Timelines: Establish clear permitting timelines for cellular and fiber deployments on state land and rights-of-way with simple and standardized forms and processes.

o    Leverage Existing State Fiber Assets: Conduct a pilot to leverage existing State fiber assets to support middle-mile broadband.

Effects Bargaining Report

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate- Verizon

November 12, 2021

CWA Districts 1 and 2-13 and IBEW New York and New Jersey have continued to meet with Verizon to bargain over the effects the Company’s planned COVID-19 vaccine mandate will have on our members.

The Company intends to require all employees be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (and submit proof to the Company) or be approved for a legally recognized medical or religious accommodation. Under the Company’s proposal, those who are non-compliant could face unpaid leave and possibly discharge.

CWA and IBEW are reviewing information to determine if Verizon’s proposed mandate is fully required under the law. We have outlined a counter proposal that addresses the processes for providing proof of vaccine, requests for accommodations, non-compliance issues and more.

The Company is reviewing the Unions’ outline. The parties will have additional meetings this week and ongoing, as needed. We will continue to provide updates regarding any developments.

Effects Bargaining Report

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate- Verizon

November 4, 2021

On October 14, 2021, Verizon notified 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 as its reason.

CWA requested to bargain over the effects that a mandate may have on our members.

CWA Districts 1 and 2-13, as well as IBEW New York and New Jersey, met with Verizon on October 28th and November 3rd to open these discussions.

In both meetings, we requested information related to the mandate, including to whom the mandate will apply, the processes for submitting proof of vaccination, and the process for requesting an accommodation for medical, religious or other legally recognized basis.

The Union is evaluating the information provided before making any proposals.

We will continue to meet with Verizon and will keep you posted regarding any developments.

October 14,2021

Earlier today, 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.

Verizon notified CWA of their intention to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for the unionized workforce. CWA has requested to bargain over the impact that any mandate may have on our members.

We expect to begin having meetings with management around October 25th, 2021, to discuss and bargain regarding the implementation and impact of any mandate..

We will keep you posted regarding any developments.

October 12, 2021`

Petitions for the Steward position for calendar years 2022-2023 that were received to the Union Hall by October 6,2021 were counted and reviewed by the Election Committee on October 8, 2021. The petitions that were approved are as follows.

Splice Group: John Pungello Brian Croyle

FIOS/Core: Joseph Gray

There will be no election needed for the 2022-2023 steward positions