Verizon, Union Continue Contract Talks

[undergroundrailroad]

Verizon, Union Continue Contract Talks


The Associated Press
Thursday, August 7, 2003; 12:16 AM


WASHINGTON - A Verizon union official expressed optimism Wednesday about agreeing on a new contract with the telephone company but said issues remained unresolved after nine days of talks.

"We're hoping to move forward and reach a settlement but we still have some work to do," said Communications Workers of America spokeswoman Candice Johnson.

Talks recessed late Wednesday and were to resume Thursday.

Regional phone company Verizon and two unions are negotiating to replace a contract that expired last weekend for nearly 80,000 workers who have remained on the job.

The main issues remain unchanged. Verizon wants to cut costs in its shrinking local phone service division. The unions are concerned about job security and the company's request that they pay a higher portion of health care costs.

[ramapo]

1. Government mandate to settle

I heard through a friend's relative who works for Verizon that the government (Homeland Security in particular) told both parties that there cannot be a strike and that they must settle.