December 29, 2011

Brothers and Sisters:

We wanted to send a quick update to address some calls that we have been receiving at the local about our contract expiring. The main rumor that we have gotten is that our contract will expire at the end of the year on Saturday night. This is not true. The agreement that was signed has our contract running indefinitely unless cancelled by either side with seven days notice. This has not happened. So, we will still be under the old contract into 2012.

We have also received many questions on a possible new package offer (EISP) that Verizon might offer. The Union has received no information on this from the company and right now is just a rumor.

As a reminder of where we stand in bargaining. The latest update we received before Christmas explained that the small committee groups that the Union and the company had been meeting in was going to be changed to meeting with the full committees. It is our understanding that this will happen next week. The company and the Union have not met over the last two Holiday weeks. As soon as we receive any new information we will distribute as soon as possible.

In Solidarity,
Richard Hatch
President