IBEW Local 2222 kicks off workplace campaign for respect

Medford, MA - Only months after a new union contract was signed, Verizon management is engaging in a campaign to undermine employees' rights on the job and hinder their ability to provide quality customer service.

Members are being singled out for unfair discipline and constant surveillance. Union stewards feel increasingly frustrated because management is repeatedly violating hard-won quality and safety provisions in their union contract to increase productivity at any cost.

"When you put it all together, management is showing a complete lack of respect for each employee and for our union," said IBEW Local 2222 Business Manager and System Council T-6 chair Myles Calvey. "And equally important, the company is showing a similar lack of respect for our customers. Verizon should live up to its own policy and start giving employees and customers the respect we all deserve."

Verizon's Code of Business Conduct says, "We know it is critical that we respect everyone at every level of our business. We champion diversity, embrace individuality and listen carefully when others speak."

Over 100 Local 2222 stewards met last weekend in Medford to discuss the current situation. "We heard story after story about contract violations, lack of concern for safety, and excessive discipline and harassment," said Calvey. "Enough is enough. Today we are kicking off a campaign to win back respect for employees and our customers. Our members will wear a simple sticker that sums up everything we want: "RESPECT."

Photos from the stewards' meeting are available at:http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/IBEWLocal2222StewardSMtg?f...

IBEW Local 2222 unites more than 3,000 telecom and technical workers throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

Rand Wilson is communications coordinator for the AFL-CIO Organizing Department's Center for Strategic Research and co-chair of the Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Health Care Action Committee.

http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/IBEWLocal2222StewardSMtg?f...