Verizon North East Bargaining Updates

Just hours ago, the bargaining committees reached an agreement in principle with Verizon. The unprecented level of education, engagement, and mobilization of the united CWA and IBEW members brought us this contract in a very tough economic and political environment.
We made progress on all of our key objectives:

Break down the wall between the core and Verizon Business

Union recognition for 600 Field Techs and inside techs

Guarantee small and medium business exclusively for represented commercial

Bring new VZ B work to CWA-represented locations 100 at end of 2009 and 100 at end of 2010

Fair wage increase that protects our standard of living in a time of escalating food and fuel costs

10.87% compounded increase

COLA increase

100% company-paid health care premiums

100% company-paid premiums continue for actives and current retirees

Future hires will have a defined contribution formula for retirement health care

Increase pension bands

10.87% compounded increase

Creating more permanent, quality union jobs

2,500 new union jobs (including VZB techs)

Approx. 75 video headend techs

Approx. 1,200 temps and terms converted to permament employees

Settle VZ Wireless, VCS, GNI contracts

Fair settlements achieved at all tables

More detailed information on the settlement and the ratification vote will be provided by your local.
"This is a breakthrough agreement in many ways. It creates new union jobs including major growth areas like FiOS, it takes a big step forward on health care and it brings hundreds of Verizon Business employees the union rights they deserve. ”

- CWA President Larry Cohen

“This agreement is a tribute to the solidarity and activism of IBEW and CWA members working at Verizon. Our members mobilized strong and negotiated hard for a good contract that will benefit workers and their families now and in the future. .”

- IBEW President Ed Hill

Welcome to our new union brothers and sisters at Verizon Business!

A message to members from the Combined Bargaining Committee on behalf of the Regional Bargaining Committees for District 1 (Verizon North), 2 and 13 (Verizon mid-Atlantic) and the IBEW

After many months of bargaining with Verizon Communications, our united bargaining committees have reached an agreement in principle with management pending document review.

Throughout this process, we focused on ensuring our place in the work of the future.

Our critical goals also included health care for active and retired workers, retirement security and a fair wage increase.

The involvement and mobilization of tens of thousands of our members made a huge difference in these negotiations. All of us together showed our strength, our commitment, our determination to get the best possible agreement.

We’re proud to have represented the 65,000 union members at Verizon in these negotiations.

Chris Shelton, District 1; Ron Collins, District 2; Ed Mooney, District 13; George Welker, District 1; Steve Holland, District 2; Sandy Kmetyck, District 13; John Miller, IBEW Local 827 and Myles Calvey, IBEW Local 2222.

Following is a summary of the tentative agreement.

Wages
a. Effective 8/3/2008 3.25 %
b. Effective 8/2/2009 3.5 %
c. Effective 8/1/2010 3.75 %

COLA
a. Effective 8/1/2010
b. One half of the increase in the CPI-W in excess of 3.75% between May ‘09 and May ‘10

Corporate Profit Sharing
a. $700 minimum distribution
b. Paid in March of 2009, 2010, 2011

Pension Band Increases
a. Effective 10/1/2008 3.25%
b. Effective 10/1/2009 3.5 %
c. Effective 10/1/2010 3.75%

Pension Lump Sum Cash-Out
a. Pension Distribution Options remains in contract with no change in the language by which the amount is calculated
b. Available at any time, for the length of the contract

VZ Business
a. 445 Field Techs in plant contract with carveouts
b. 145 Inside Techs in plant contract with carve outs
c. Guarantee small and medium business exclusively for represented commercial
d. Bring new VZ-B work to CWA represented locations 100 at end of 2009 and 100 at end of 2010

Video Head End – Video Work. Approx. 75 in plant contracts with carve outs

Temps and terms to Perms (Approx 1,200)

Three times a year discussion on union jobs and efficiency/growth with top management

Active Health Care: Maintained full employer paid coverage with limited plan design changes

Retiree Health Benefits
a. Fully paid, no retiree pays during life of agreement
b. Any changes in future health benefit plans for retirees will be negotiated with the Union in the same manner as that for actives and for future retirees.
c. No current retiree will pay for health coverage through the end of 2011.
d. No active employee who retires during the term of this agreement will pay or health coverage through the end of 2011.
e. Caps on the Company’s contribution to the cost of retiree health coverage in 2012 and after have been raised as follows:
            i. Prior to Age 65 and Medicare Eligibility
                    1. Retiree Only: $12,580
                    2. Retiree + 1 25,160
                    3. Retiree + Family 31,450
            ii. Age 65 and after and Medicate Eligible
                    1. Retiree Only: $ 6,330
                    2. Retiree + 1 12,660
                    3. Retiree + Family 18,990
f. Employees hired after August 2, 2008 will be covered under a new retiree health program.
            i. Once they retire (under the same eligibility requirements as currently required), they will receive an annual payment equal to $430 times years of service (to a maximum of 30 years).
            ii. The parties will negotiate this amount in future years to reflect changes in the cost of health coverage.

Agreement to work for National Health Care Reform and provide $2 million a year during term of contract.

New Dispute Resolution for Faster resolution of grievances

Savings and Security Plan
a. Add a Roth option to the 401(k) plan
b. Allows investment of post tax dollars with no taxes applied to investment returns when assets are later distributed.

Retiree Life Insurance
a. Company-paid retiree life insurance benefits will be frozen at one-times the wage level attained on 8/2/2008.
b. The minimum amount to be paid to beneficiaries of retirees who retiree after 8/2/2008 will be $20,000, even after age 65.

Retirees who were hired after 8/2/2008 will be eligible for the minimum $20,000

Increase supplemental insurance with ability to purchase 5 times salary

Commercial Issues
a. Collection
b. Jt Marketing Letter
c. Local Presence Centers
d. NJ collection office issues

Extend all existing District and Local Agreements and adjust all dates.

CWA-NETT will discuss how to publicize

Unique Regional Items
a. Scope agreement CWA D2
b. Contract Initiative Letter fixed
c. Job Share Language (North)
d. ACFC will outstanding pay current bills $486K
e. Increase ACFC wage rate top wage rate in contract
f. Supplemental Retiree Life Insurance: five times implemented as soon as possible

August 10,2008, 12 Noon

Negotiations are continuing and we've made significant progress toward our goal of a settlement that meets our members' critical goals and issues.

We will update you throughout the course of the day and still have some remaining issues to work through.

August 8, 2008 11:00 AM

AS BARGAINING DRAGS ON, UNIONS SET MIDNIGHT SUNDAY AS DEADLINE

TO COMPLETE VERIZON CONTRACT TALKS;

STRIKE ACTION POSSIBLE THEN.

*READY-TO-WALK RALLIES

ACROSS NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY TODAY*

With the pace of bargaining lagging, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) announced today that they have set a new deadline of midnight Sunday to complete contract negotiations for 65,000 unionized Verizon workers from Virginia to Massachusetts. Strike action is possible at that time (12:01 am, August 11^th) if the negotiations fail to produce a fair contract by then.

“With $5.5 billion in profits, Verizon can afford to stop outsourcing the high-quality, family-supporting jobs that our communities need. Today, thousands of our members will be picketing and rallying from Virginia to Massachusetts to let Verizon management know that we need to have a fair contract by midnight Sunday,” said Chris Shelton, Vice President, CWA District 1.

The current contract, which covers 65,000 members of the CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was slated to expire at midnight on Saturday, August 3^rd. Late this past Saturday night, the unions announced that in light of progress that had been made in bargaining, they had agreed to “stop the clock” on the expiration of the current contract and postpone strike action. Bargainers had reported significant progress at the bargaining table between the two sides.

Since Saturday’s agreement to “stop the clock,” progress at the bargaining table has been uneven, particularly on outsourcing, subcontracting and union recognition issues. Since 2003, Verizon has outsourced and subcontracted thousands of jobs. Notable examples include:

Customer service representatives who serve large business customers in the mid-Atlantic states have seen their jobs move from the bargaining unit to the company’s non-union Verizon Business subsidiary. At the same time, management is shifting Verizon Business customer service work to the Philippines.
Highly skilled technicians at Verizon’s northern Virginia long distance central office (Global Networks) are being replaced by subcontractors, and contractors are getting all the new and future work.
When it was trying to get approval to build out the new fiber-optic TV/internet network, called FiOS, in New York City, Verizon pledged to keep quality, local jobs in the New York community. Now, Verizon is backing off that promise. A new Fiber Solutions Center (customer service support center) may not be located in the New York metropolitan area at all but instead may be sent out of state.
Verizon’s suppression of the right to organize at Verizon Business, where a majority of technicians in the Northeast have signed union cards indicating they want to join CWA and IBEW.
Customer support and technical support work for Verizon’s DSL and on line services have been shifted to Canada, India and the Philippines.

Along with outsourcing and subcontracting issues, other major issues in the negotiations include health care costs for current and retired workers and adequate wage increases in a time of rapidly increasing food and gas prices.

Thursday, August 7, 5PM

Negotiations between the CWA/IBEW unified bargaining committees and Verizon are continuing around the clock in Washington DC and Rye, NY. The clock remains stopped at 11:59 pm, Aug. 2

Progress is being made, but the issues yet to be resolved are among our most important.

The speed at which Verizon is shifting from copper to fiber technology makes it clear that we must negotiate a contract that secures new work and the jobs of the future. The company does understand that without progress on these issues at the bargaining table, we have no choice but to move to the street.

The Regional Bargaining Committee met with the Local Presidents in Rye, NY to bring them up to date on the status of negotiations.

It is critical at this phase that we maintain the highest level of mobilization. We must engage in actions that continue to apply pressure on Verizon to move on our issues. There is no question that the efforts of our members are being seen and felt by the company. We are receiving a steady stream of reports from the locals and even some from the company of the persistent and innovative ways our members are engaging in workplace mobilization.

If you have been active in mobilization efforts, the bargaining committee is truly appreciative and thanks you. If you have not yet participated, we urge you to join with the tens of thousands of your brothers and sisters at worksite rallies and other actions.

It’s important that we all take this opportunity to feel the pride and satisfaction of standing up and standing together for ourselves, our jobs and our families. It is our union that provides this opportunity. Our unity will bring a successful contract. Today, do just one thing to help us make this happen!

August 6, 2008, 9:00 PM

Negotiations continued throughout the day and will continue into the evening. We've made some progress but not enough.

As we said earlier, we will do whatever it takes to secure our contract, one way or another. That means we'll get it done at the bargaining table or on the picket line.

We're stepping up our mobilization because we know it makes a real difference. Plans are in the works for worksite rallies on Friday to focus more attention on our fight for jobs and a fair contract. So stick with the mobization plan, check with your local about actions and stay strong and ready.

There will be a Meeting of the Local Presidents representing our Verizon members at the Rye Town Hilton tomorrow at Noon to discuss the negotiations and our mobilization strategy.

If progress stops, we'll all stop.

August 6, 2008

Yesterday, the parties continued marathon bargaining throughout the day, ending at 11 p.m. last night. Today, negotiations have resumed.

Is progress being made? Yes. Is it slow going? Also yes. Do we have a plan for success? You bet.

We have presented Verizon with a unified and united front and strong position on all our critical issues. Now, we're working through some of the most difficult issues in the areas of jobs and employment security for members at our company. Our strength in bargaining has been reinforced by the highly visible – and widely reported to the company – mobilization that continues. Verizon hasn't come around yet, but we're pressing the company on all our critical issues, especially when it comes to jobs.

This bargaining involves serious issues – health care, retirement security, and especially jobs. 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.

There are more than 60 people involved in the bargaining process from our two unions. In addition to the elected bargaining committees, there are experts on health care, pensions, economics, communications and legal issues. Needless to say, the company has many, many more people on its side.

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.

We will not be bypassed by the company that we built and helped make so successful. If our efforts to secure a fair agreement that provides for jobs today and for the future are not fully successful at the bargaining table now, we will secure it on the picket line when necessary. There’s no doubt about that. Our goal is to win on these issues and we will.

August 5, 2008

At 11 pm, bargaining recessed for the evening. The pace of the negotiations is disappointedly slow. The issue is still jobs and making sure that we protect the jobs of today and the jobs of the future. Bargaining will resume in the morning. The clock remains stopped at 11:59 pm August 2.

August 5, 2008

Negotiations will continue today between CWA/IBEW 2213, IBEW New England and the Company in Rye, New York and Washington DC. The Bargaining Committee met all day yesterday and into the night and progress continues to be made but the pace is slow. The primary issue is jobs and making sure that we protect the jobs of today and the jobs of the future. The clock remains stopped at 11:59 pm August 2^nd.

The bargaining committee will meet at 9 AM to review the company’s last proposal and is scheduled to meet the company later in the morning.

Stay in touch with your Local for the latest updated information.

The bargaining Committees thanks everyone for all their support and mobilization efforts.

August 4, 2008

Negotiators from CWA, the IBEW and Verizon have met throughout the day and into this evening. Negotiations will continue tonight. Updates will be provided as developments warrant.

The Bargaining Committee continues to meet and make significant progress at the table. We stopped the clock because the threat of a strike has been enough to engage the company in real bargaining. We are ready to strike at any time. We will use the strike tactic when it helps us achieve our goal. We are ready to walk and the company knows it. The current contract remains in effect. The company must get the message that we are the Network and we want the jobs that go with the Network.

All tours will continue as scheduled. All contract provisions are still in force. We will continue to mobilize in the workplace.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Saturday, August 2, 2008

The Communications Workers of America announced tonight that in light of progress that has been made in bargaining for a new contract with Verizon, it has agreed to "stop the clock" on the expiration of the current contract and postpone strike action for the time being. The current contract will remain in effect, and negotiations are set to resume tomorrow morning.

The current contract, which covers 65,000 members of the CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) who work for Verizon from Massachusetts to Virginia, was slated to expire at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, August 3rd.

Bargainers reported progress on several major issues, including protecting health care coverage for active and retired employees, protecting retirement security, and strengthening job security provisions of the contract. However, the union bargaining teams said significant additional bargaining still lies ahead before a settlement is possible, particularly in the areas of employment security and union jobs and recognition.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Friday, August 1, 2008

Negotiations continued today between CWA/IBEW 2213, IBEW New England and the Company in Rye, New York and additional talks took place in Washington DC. Little or no progress was made on wages, benefits, pensions or jobs during discussions at both locations.

With only 24 hours remaining before contract expiration, the Company has yet to come to the table with a package anywhere near what is necessary to reach agreement.

Stay in touch with your Local for the latest updated information.

The bargaining Committees thank everyone for all your support and mobilization efforts.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Negotiations continued today between CWA/IBEW 2213, IBEW New England and the Company in Rye, New York. Today's sessions included lengthy discussions on network and COEI work. There was no progress made. The Company again today did not respond to the Unions counter proposal on healthcare. With a little more than 72 hours remaining little time remains to reach agreement.

It is extremely important that we keep the pressure mounting. Mobilization activities continue with several rallies scheduled around the footprint. We will not agree to a contract that does not protect our work, our benefits, our retirement security and our standard of living.

Stay in touch with your Local coordinators for the latest information on mobilization activities and distribution of picket signs. The bargaining committee appreciates all the support received from the membership to date and urges every member to stand ready to do whatever is necessary to achieve our goals and get the contract our members deserve.

Countdown continues -----

Code Yellow – 3 Days Left

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Tuesday, July 29, 2008

CWA/IBEW 2213 and IBEW New England bargaining teams continued to meet with the Company today in Rye, New York. The bargaining teams still await responses from the Company on the Unions counter proposal on healthcare. Virtually no progress was made today regarding the jobs issue. With four days left until contract expiration on Saturday the Company continues to show no interest in our demands.

It is extremely important that the Company know that the two sides are still very far apart and there is no solution in sight. As the clock continues to tick we need to make every effort to get our message out loud and clear. We will not agree to a contract that does not protect our work, our benefits, our retirement security and our standard of living.

Mobilization continues throughout the entire Verizon North/South footprint with thousands of members participating in various activities every day. Stay in touch with your Local coordinators for the latest information on mobilization activities and distribution of picket signs which will be arriving at the Locals by Thursday.

The “13,340 Reasons to Strike” Flyer will be distributed in the workplace. Please distribute this flyer to every member and discuss the flyer in the workplace. Management must know that our issues are STRIKE issues.

Thursday is a major Mobilization Day.

4 Days and Counting Down

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Monday, July 28, 2008

CWA/IBEW 2213 and IBEW New England bargaining teams continued negotiations with Verizon today in Rye, New York. We thought that after Saturday’s Rally the Company would get our loud and clear message regarding the Union’s issues. It appears they still haven’t heard us as no progress was made during today’s Sub-committee meetings. At this late date all major issues have yet to be resolved---including jobs, benefits, retirement security and wages.

Our contracts expire on Saturday, August 2^nd. Strike preparation continues on both the National and Local Union levels. Members should be contacting their Locals about picketing and strike duty assignments if they have not already done so. Be ready to do whatever it takes to protect our jobs, our benefits, our retirement security and our standard of living.

Verizon Wireless’s contract expires Friday, August 1^st. No progress has been made at that Bargaining table. Members in that Bargaining Unit should contact their Local for additional information.

The District 1 Alpha Units and Moonlight Units are in total sync with the other CWA Districts and IBEW units. District 1’s Flying Squads should prepare for assignments.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The Bargaining Committees met in sub-committee today and continued to focus on jobs. As the Unions continued to stress the importance of this issue, specific discussions concerning the TRG COEI work took place with operating management joining the Company's bargaining team to address the Union's questions and concerns. Further sub-committee meetings are scheduled for tomorrow.

As we get closer to the expiration of the contract Locals will be scheduling Picket assignments. Keep in touch with your Local Mobilization coordinators for information on all mobilization activities. Attendance numbers for this Saturday's rally in New York City continue to grow. CWA President Larry Cohen and the Vice Presidents from Districts 2 and 13 will be joining District 1, Vice President Chris Shelton at the rally. If you have not already signed up please contact your chief steward.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Wednesday, July 21, 2008

CWA, IBEW 2213 and IBEW New England resumed bargaining with Verizon today in Rye New York, . The two sides continued their discussions concerning jobs of the future and current work. The Unions stressed the importance of this matter being addressed properly in order to reach an overall agreement. The Company has not yet responded on this matter.

The CWA Vice Presidents, Chris Shelton, District 1, Ron Collins, District 2 and Ed Mooney, District 13 along with IBEW officials, Myles Calvey (New England) and John Miller (New Jersey) are meeting in Washington D.C. with high level Verizon management to insure that progress is being made at the Regional tables.

CWA reported today that more than 91% of its Verizon members voted to authorize a strike in balloting conducted over the last week among over 50,000 Verizon members in the Northeast.

Mobilization activities continue across Districts One, Two and Thirteen as final preparations are being made for the rally planned for New York City this Saturday, July 26th.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 and IBEW New England bargaining committees resumed bargaining in Rye, New York with Verizon. Medical Benefits, Prescription Drugs and Jobs were the issues discussed today. The Company had many questions on the Unions proposal on Medical and Prescriptions and told us that they were planning a counter to our proposal. The Union stressed that our top priority is our current work as well as jobs of the future and the session ended with the company looking to continue the discussions on jobs at tomorrow sessions.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met with the Company this today in Rye, New York. Discussions centered on the health care and prescription drug proposals. The Committees will work on these issues separately tomorrow and are scheduled to meet together again on Monday, July 7, 2008.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met with the Company this afternoon in Rye, New York. The Unions questioned the Company on their counterproposal they presented yesterday. Issues raised included health care and prescription drug benefits. No progress was made. The parties are scheduled to resume talks tomorrow morning.

CWA/IBEW Bargaining Update for Monday, June 30, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met with the Company this afternoon in Rye, New York. The Company presented their response to the Unions June 16th comprehensive proposal. The Company proposal was completely unacceptable to the Unions. The Committees recessed and are scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning.

Bargaining Update for Monday, June 16, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee and the New England IBEW team resumed negotiations with Verizon today in Rye, New York. The two Unions presented the Company with a comprehensive proposal.

At the start of the session today, CWA Chief Negotiator Dennis Trainor strongly urged Verizon to join with CWA, other National Unions and Corporations to work for the enactment of a national health care program. This would save Verizon billions of dollars and remove the issue from the bargaining table in the future. Quoting CWA President Larry Cohen, Trainor told the Verizon representative to “get off our backs and get on our side” in this matter.

In the area of Medical and Prescription Drug benefits the Unions proposal recognizes the need for behavioral changes in the use of generic drugs and mail order prescriptions to ensure the present level of benefits. Other critical issues addressed today by the Unions included:

Increase in wages, pensions and the Cost of Living formula
Job Security to strengthen the bargaining unit
Increase funding for the Dependent Care Reimbursement Fund
Expanded Safety and Health programs and funding
Insure that the same Health Benefits will apply to both active members and retirees
Eliminate sub-contracting.

The Unions stressed the need for improvements in wages and job security. The Unions demanded that Verizon live up to their previous commitment that as the Company grows so does the Union. This ensures that the work of the future is performed by bargaining unit members.

Bargaining has recessed until June 30, 2008.

CWA Bargaining Update for Friday, June 13, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 and the IBEW New England negotiating committees met today in Rye, New York. The Unions reviewed information and continued to prepare a comprehensive counter proposal to Verizon’s proposal on Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits. Talks have recessed for the weekend and will resume on Monday morning, June 19. 2008.

CWA Bargaining Update for Thursday, June 12, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committees met with the IBEW New England bargaining committee. The two negotiating teams used most of the day reviewing information on Medical and Prescription Drug benefits provided by Verizon. The Union negotiators then began the process of crafting a comprehensive response for the Company. Bargaining is scheduled to resume tomorrow.

CWA Bargaining Update for Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee worked today preparing a comprehensive counter proposal to Verizon’s medical and prescription drug benefits. The committees will meet again early tomorrow to continue this work before meeting with the Company.

CWA Bargaining Update for Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee spent time this morning working on a counter proposal which will be presented to the Company. Before the proposal can be completed the Unions need additional information that has been requested from the Company. The parties met this afternoon. The Unions requested clarification from the Company pertaining to Verizon’s health care and prescription drug proposals, as well as on other issues raised by the Unions in earlier bargaining sessions. The Company provided some but not all of the information. Negotiations are concluded for today and scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.

CWA Bargaining Update for Monday, June 9, 2008

This morning the CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee and the New England IBEW bargaining team resumed negotiations with Verizon in Rye, New York.

Today's discussions centered exclusively on jobs. A Verizon Marketing representative made a presentation on their newly launched "Expert Care" program, which consists of various services a FiOS or DSL customer may purchase to assist them with the installation and maintenance of both software and hardware.

These services are sold by CWA and IBEW members but the work performed either by phone or at the customer premise is done by vendors. The Unions asked numerous questions regarding these services which began operating in this area last week. The Unions made it very clear that this work is bargaining unit work that should be performed by Union members. Job security regarding this evolution of bargaining unit work is a top priority for your bargaining team. Negotiations have recessed for today and will resume tomorrow.

CWA Bargaining Update for Friday, June 6, 2008

The CWA/IBEW 2213 Regional Bargaining Committee and the IBEW New England team resumed negotiations with Verizon today in Rye, New York.

The Unions requested that the Company bring a representative from Blue Cross and Blue Shield to discuss the Medical Expense Plan and how they coordinate benefits with Medicare. During today's session the Blue Cross and Blue Shield representatives gave a presentation and your bargaining committee had many questions. The representatives also provided examples on how they processed the claims The company needed to review some of the questions and will get back to the committee.

Bargaining has adjourned for the day and is scheduled to resume Monday June 9, 2008. On Monday, your bargaining committee will continue discussions concerning jobs and future work. Your committee has made it clear that the jobs of the future in Verizon belong in our bargaining unit and negotiations will focus on these issues on Monday.