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Removal of State Fees, Outdated Regulations to Support Growth of Broadband in Rural and Underserved Areas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

* * * * NOTICE * * * *

Nomination & Elections

For Shop Steward

CWA Local 1107

September 20, 2021

As provided in the CWA Local 1107 by-laws article XIV, “Nominations and Election of Local Officers and Shop Stewards”.  Fifteen (15) days notice is hereby giving for the Nominations & Election for Shop Steward

(1) – Shop Steward:             Installation & Repair Group (3)

(2) – Shop Steward:             CXM

• Line (1)          
• Splicing (2)

(3) – Shop Steward:

• Central Office // COEI (1))
• Building & Supply Group, Clerical Group, Miscellaneous Group, Company Services (1)     

• Non-Verizon Group (1)
• Verizon Business (2)

Nominations for Shop Steward will be by petition signed by Three (3) members in good standing of Local 1107.  The petition must be signed by the candidate.  The petition must be sent by U.S. Mail to:

Communications Workers of America, Local 1107

200 East Erie Street

Blauvelt, N.Y.  10913

Attention: Election Committee. 

Only petitions received in the Local Office no later than Wednesday October 6,2021 will be valid.  The Election Committee will conduct Elections where necessary, in accordance with the bylaws of Local 1107, and the United States Laws governing election of Union Officers.

Shop stewards shall be nominated and elected in the groups they represent. *

To obtain a petition please contact: John Pungello Election Chair (845) 667-0557

Or by calling the Local Office - (845- 638-1107)

The Election committee will hold elections in accordance with the by-laws of CWA Local 1107 and the US Laws governing election of Union Officers.

Home Garaging Coming to an End

For the past 15 months, many of our members were able to garage from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. These arrangements were necessary to keep our members safe and to survive the unprecedented circumstances. When we left our workplaces, no one realized what our country was facing and no one expected it would last as long as it has.

As always, our members rose to the occasion, they have been truly essential. Without reliable telecommunications service our hospitals could not function, millions of people would not have been able to continue working remotely and children would have been cut off from education.

We have agreed to extend the Covid-19 Home Garaging agreement through the month of July 2021. The Company has informed us that this is the last extension of this agreement and the home garaging will end on August 1, 2021.

As we prepare for the return to our normal working conditions, please be assured that CWA will work closely with Verizon to ensure that the workplaces are safe for the return of our members. Vaccinations are readily available and are the best way to protect against COVID-19. We encourage all members to get the vaccine.

As you know, since March 2020, we have had agreements regarding certain employees working from home due to Covid-19.

We have reached an agreement with Verizon to extend our Covid-19 work from home agreements until September 30, 2021. We have also agreed to continue to meet with Verizon to discuss future plans for those employees working at home.

We will keep you informed with regards to those discussions.