Update on the EISP/Surplus Discussions

The surplus and oversubscribed volunteers will be notified they are accepted or rejected and if accepted will also be advised of their date off the payroll by letters going out in the mail by Monday. The off payroll dates are July 4th and November 21st. Some locals have reported field management has started to verbally advise some members of their status. The company has not agreed to verbally communicate to all members.

Linked below are sample letters that will be sent to the non-surplus employees informing them that their application was received, but a decision about acceptance has not yet been reached and is pending discussions between the Company and the union.

The second will be sent to surplus employees who have been accepted and will indicate their off payroll date.

Verizon has yet to confirmed that there will be no layoff of post 2003 members. Updates will follow as information becomes available.

In Unity,

Gail Evans
CWA District 2

Non-Surplus letter example
Surplus letter with dates example

CWA Urges Congress to Clarify FCC Authority on Broadband

CWA has joined a diverse group of progressive leaders in pressing Congress to pass narrowly targeted legislation that would clarify the authority of the Federal Communications Commission to protect an Open Internet and to apply Universal Service funding to broadband.

CWA President Larry Cohen and other leaders sent a letter to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Rep. Henry Waxman, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, stating that such legislation would make it clear the FCC has authority to protect free speech on the Internet and to foster universal, affordable high-speed networks. Action is particularly needed because of a recent appellate court ruling limiting FCC’s jurisdiction.

That ruling, issued by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the Comcast case, has put into question the FCC’s legal authority to protect an open Internet and accelerate broadband deployment and adoption. CWA and our allies are urging Congress to quickly resolve this question because any other path would lead to years of litigation and regulatory uncertainty that will reduce broadband investment and industry jobs.

The U.S. lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to 21st century communications. Access to high speed broadband is essential to the economic success of all of our communities. America has fallen to 15th in the world in high-speed internet penetration and 28th in global speed comparisons. What that means is that it is harder for communities to spur economic growth, create jobs and bridge the digital divide. Today, most U.S. broadband networks can’t deliver the speeds necessary to run advanced applications and services that can support sustainable communities and enable cost-effective improvements in education, energy, health, and public services.

The letter delivered to Congress last week was signed by Cohen, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, and by leaders of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, League of United Latin American Citizens, Minority Media and Telecom Council, NAACP, National Urban League and the Sierra Club.

“We don’t want to go backward or push further into the future the time when the digital divide is finally closed,” the letter states. “We cannot afford inaction which will slow the closing of the digital divide by shifting costs to the poor and discouraging deployment to low income and other disadvantaged Americans.”

EISP Info

Please see the attached notification from Verizon regarding the Surplus in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. This notification officially begins the 90 day clock under article 35. Any questions regarding these issues should be directed to your CWA Representative.

In Unity,

Gail Evans
CWA District 2
301 809-4164

This is a continuation / adjustment to the Potomac EISP / Surplus notices sent on 02/26/2010, 04/09/2010, 04/12/2010 and 04/19/2010. The attachment is the determination of surplus under the terms of Article 35 of the General Agreement.

EISP Packages will be mailed beginning 05/13/2010. The volunteer period will begin on 05/18/2010 and end on 06/16/2010. Volunteers will be accepted as necessary to meet business needs and will have a last day worked of 07/03/2010 or by 11/30/2010 as determined by the Company.

If EISP volunteers are not sufficient to meet the Company's force adjustment needs, the Company intends to invoke the force adjustment provisions under Article 35 which may require part-timing, reassignment to lower paid job titles or classifications, involuntary transfer which necessitates a change in residence and termination or layoff of regular employees with a net credited service date of 08/03/2003 or later. The date(s) of such adjustments will be determined later.

BBQ at Dickey's July 17

The Danville Local is having a BBQ for its members and whomever in the local that wants to attend July 17th at 6:00pm at Dickey’s BBQ on 58 West. For those that will be attending this event PLEASE RSVP with John Walters by June 28th at (434)770-0827. Come enjoy Slow Smoked Lip Smackin', Rib Ticklin', Knee Slappin', Foot Stompin', Great Tastin' Barbecue! (Click for directions and menu)

One-Time Offer Communication

Next week, eligible Associates will receive detailed information about the One-Time Enhanced Voluntary Separation Incentive Offer that was announced in April. The information will be mailed to homes during the week of May 14, 2010. Separately, eligible Associates will also receive personalized summaries of financial benefits available to those who volunteer and who are accepted to leave under the terms of the Offer.

The volunteer period for Mid-Atlantic and Potomac area Associates is from Tuesday, May 18 through Wednesday, June 16, 2010.

To volunteer, Associates must complete and sign the Volunteer Form included in the package and fax it to the number indicated no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 16, 2010.

The Your Benefits Resources web site will be updated to provide on-line pension estimates that include the provisions of the Offer beginning Friday, May 7th, and as of that date the Verizon Benefits Center will have the information needed to answer questions about the pension enhancements and separation benefits.

How to request an online pension estimate:

• Beginning Friday, May 7th you can go to the Your Benefits Resources web site (through About You **Intranet only** or www.verizon.com/benefits) and select the “Pension” tab, then “Estimate Your Benefit.”
• Scroll down the page to the section titled “Projection Assumptions” and for “Last Day of Employment” click on “Other Date” and enter “07-03-2010”.
• For “Date You Begin Receiving Benefits” click on “Other Date” and enter “07-04-2010” or the 1st day of any month August – December. 2010.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Redisplay Projection”.

Most Associates can quickly view their estimate by following these steps, and the estimate can be printed by scrolling back to the top of the estimate page and clicking on the printer icon. Because of the complexity of certain pension calculations, some Associates will not be able to obtain an online pension estimate and will be directed to call the Verizon Benefits Center.

CWA Reaches Agreement on Enhanced Offer

CWA District 2 has reached agreement with Verizon regarding an enhanced offer to all CWA members in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Previously, Verizon had reported as a Good Friday message that talks with the Union had been unsuccessful and further indicated they did not foresee negotiating any future enhancements. Discussions resumed and an agreement was finally reached as a result of CWA’s persistence. CWA demanded Vz provide expanded employment security to post ’03 employees, the removal of contract workers and that the enhanced offer be made to all members not just those declared surplus.

The agreement contains the following:

• One time enhancement to the Voluntary Termination Bonus of $40,000. for a total VTB of $50,000
• Raises the caps on EISP payments from 30 years to 40 years
• Accelerates the effective date of the October pension band increases of 3.75%
• Waives aged-based pension reductions for certain early retirements
• Provides for a protected interest rate for converting the single life annuity to a lump sum amount.

The agreement also stipulates, if 12,000 employees from the entire footprint accept the EISP, no employee hired after August 2, 2003 will be laid off prior to May 1, 2011. Regardless of reaching the 12,000 employee threshold no Consultant, Fiber Customer Service Analyst or Fiber Network Technician will be laid off prior to May 1, 2011.

In addition, by July 1, 2010, union employees, not contractors, will place copper cable inside conduit, place and transfer aerial copper cable, strand and poles provided the work can be performed with existing vehicles and equipment. This work does not include work required by government entities. The company will eliminate contractors performing maintenance administrator EVRC work in the company by July 1, 2010. The company will not increase the number of contractors who perform bargaining unit work during the period of June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011.

EDUCATION IN MOTION

Students are keenly aware of the upcoming last few weeks of the semester, culminating with Final Exams. It is important to offer encouragement and help your student balance studying, packing up, and heading into the summer.

ACFC's EDUCATION IN MOTION Web site can help!

• Log on today, choose the College Life tab, and select Coping With College Life from the drop-down menu. The Four Year College Emotional Calendar located there is a great tool that helps parents know what problems their student may be facing at any given time during their academic years.
• Visit the ACFC Education in Motion Web site for more information on college success, whether it is academic, financial, social or emotional. Don't forget you can talk with or email one of our EIM Coaches for answers to your questions anytime. We are here to help your teen have a successful college experience.
• Also, remember the ACFC Web Site offers an array of excellent education and training programs to you and members of your family to get information and support on a variety of topics.

ACFC http://acfccares.com

Click on EDUCATION and choose EDUCATION IN MOTION or Call us at: 877-ACFC-Helps (Push Option 4 for Education in Motion)