WASHINGTON -- The Communications Workers of America announced a tentative contract settlement for Verizon Wireless technicians who maintain the network for the New York City area.
The 5-year agreement gives the workers seniority rights for the first time in determining the order of layoffs and job recalls, which was "one of our major goals in these talks," said CWA District 1 Vice President Larry Mancino, who heads the union's New York, New Jersey and New England region.
"This was a big issue for our members, because when the company had a layoff last year, it chose to let go employees with as much as 10 years of service while keeping new hires who were still on probation," Mancino said.
Technicians at top wage rates will receive wage hikes of 3 percent a year for a total compounded increase of 15.9 percent over the contract term, and switching technicians at top rates will receive an additional $1,000 cash bonus each year. Wage increases plus progression increases will mean raises of 7 to 10 percent a year for employees still within progression schedules. The agreement continues the short-term incentive plan which pays each employee a yearly cash bonus of 5 percent of base salary.
The contract provides increased Sunday wage differentials, a joint process to discuss safety issues and other gains for the 51 workers, CWA reported.
Verizon Communications Inc.