VNJ-

     Our Joint IBEW/CWA Bargaining Committee for the Northeast unions met with the Company yesterday at CWA District 1 HQ in NYC to discuss an enhancement for employees to voluntarily leave the payroll.  The Company presented a proposal, along with other information outlining the demographics in each local related to retirement eigibility.

     The Union requested other related information and each local is reviewing the proposal with the intent of bringing concerns and issues back to the Joint Committee in order to make a counter proposal.

     At this time negotiations are ongoing.  There is no specific information that can be reported at this time.

Fraternally,

IBEW Local 827 Bargaining Committee

VNJ Net tech moves

     VP Bob Speer, on behalf of the EBoard,  has reached out to the department to schedule a meeting to discuss the results of the information forms gathered from our Network Technicians. 

VNJ-

The meeting with the company and other IBEW and CWA locals in the east to discuss an enhancement to voluntarily leave the payroll has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 9.

Fraternally,

John Miller

President/Business Manager

Regarding VNJ Surplus Declaration:

I have received numerous phone calls and email messages about the company's 1Q surplus declaration, and the different spins on what it means.  I have also been told that some other unions are posting specific info. 

You must all be aware now that all of the Unions in the east, IBEW and CWA, are going to meet to discuss an enhancement for members to voluntarily leave the payroll.  I am sure that you are also aware that you must be in a title/location that is declared surplus to be eligible.  The surplus declaration reflects large numbers in order for members to be able to take advantage of an offer.  It is NOT a number designated for layoff.  All present discussions revolve around the voluntary force reduction.  To post this list would be misleading.

IBEW Local 827 has never posted surplus lists.  The information is provided to your Eboard Reps and Chief Stewards.  The Eboard unanimously decided NOT to post this latest list, as well.  We have some steps to take still and any new information will certainly be passed along to you.  Your patience is appreciated.

Fraternally,

John Miller

President/Business Manager

At long last we have begun to receive corrected VNJ contracts at HQ.  As shipments arrive they will be given to each Unit to distribute.  An electronic copy can still be viewed/downloaded/printed under the Verizon tab on the left.  This electronic copy is in an Adobe format and is a searchable document (ex. search for "differentials" and all places the word appears will be highlighted)

Fraternally,

John Miller

President/Business Manager

Comcast Workers Choose IBEW Local 827

March 1, 2010

After a difficult organizing campaign filled with management misrepresentations and attempted union busting, Comcast technicians in Fairfield, N.J., elected to be represented by the IBEW.

The NLRB-administered vote Feb. 25 and 26 signals a sea change in the way the company’s installation repair technicians are standing up for their rights on the job, said East Windsor Local 827 Organizing Chair Jason D’Errico:

The win is groundbreaking for these workers. This is their first step towards gaining a collective bargaining agreement. The Comcast workers have stood strong against this multibillion-dollar giant.

International President Edwin D. Hill looks forward to a solid working relationship with the company, anticipating that the upcoming telecom Code of Excellence training will help send the message that the 70-person unit is committed to displaying continued professionalism on the job:

Hopefully this victory will open the door for a better understanding between the IBEW and Comcast and a new approach using the Code of Excellence as a format for a better working atmosphere for our current and future members.

Union leaders say this latest win will likely have a ripple effect, setting a precedent for future efforts. IBEW Telecommunications Director Martha Pultar said this is a good sign for the prospects of more than a dozen other Comcast campaigns from New England to Washington and Oregon:

It shows how much can be accomplished when workers stick together.

Local 827 represents more than 7,000 employees at various companies throughout the state, including Verizon, AT&T, Avaya and others. The local also represents Comcast workers at Pleasantville and Toms River.

President Hill praised the local’s efforts and the courage of the new members:

This victory is another example of how the union movement ensures that more and more hardworking Americans maintain footing in this slippery economic climate. The stronger our numbers, the better we can advocate for working men and women in this ever-changing industry.

Comcast is the largest cable provider in the nation.

For more information on the ongoing Comcast campaign, click here.

Comcast Repair Techs Choose IBEW   by James Parks, Mar 5, 2010

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Installation repair technicians at Comcast in Fairfield, N.J., withstood a strong anti-union campaign by the employer and voted last week to join Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 827.

The vote, which was administered by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), signals a change in the way the company’s installation repair technicians are standing up for their rights on the job, said Local 827 Organizing Chair Jason D’Errico:

The win is groundbreaking for these workers. This is their first step toward gaining a collective bargaining agreement. The Comcast workers have stood strong against this multibillion-dollar giant.

Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, aggressively fights to deny its workers the freedom to join a union. 

Union leaders say this latest win will likely have a ripple effect, setting a precedent for future efforts. IBEW Telecommunications Director Martha Pultar said this victory is a good sign for more than a dozen other ongoing Comcast campaigns from New England to Washington and Oregon.

Solidarity among the workers was the key to the win. As IBEW President Edwin Hill put it:

This victory is another example of how the union movement ensures that more and more hard-working Americans maintain footing in this slippery economic climate. The stronger our numbers, the better we can advocate for working men and women in this ever-changing industry.

For more information on the ongoing Comcast campaign, click here