This tentative agreement provides competitive wages and benefits for employees and provides Verizon the flexibility and capabilities necessary to thrive in a highly competitive environment, said Ron Johnson, Verizon’s chief negotiator. The provisions of this contract will allow us to raise our standards of performance and workplace productivity, enabling us to provide even better service to our customers.
The agreement with the CWA in Texas covers employees principally technicians and customer service representatives who work in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, San Angelo, Bryan/College Station, League City, Baytown and hundreds of other communities throughout the state.
The CWA intends to submit the tentative agreement to its represented employees soon. If the proposed contract is ratified by Sept. 22, the wage increases will be retroactive to Aug. 19. A simple majority of those voting is required for ratification.
The proposed settlement will help us continue to attract and retain qualified employees who place outstanding customer service foremost in their mind, said Johnson. The CWA and Verizon bargaining teams were able to reach an agreement in a progressive and professional manner while the workforce remained focused on meeting the needs of our customers. Verizon has a long and positive relationship with the CWA in Texas, and we are gratified that employees can now vote on this proposed settlement.
The basic terms of the agreement call for a 12 percent wage increase over the three-year contract, with increases of 4 percent each year for nearly 2,600 of the union-represented employees. Approximately 1,400 employees who work in rural areas of the state will receive an 18 percent wage increase over the three-year life of the contract, with increases of 6 percent each year, to bring their pay scale in line with the wages in urban areas.
A separate contract covering 200 employees at Verizon Logistics, a unit that provides materials handling, storage and administrative services will mirror the larger contract once ratified.
In addition, the proposed contract offers an additional 4 percent increase in the second year of the contract to residential and business customer service representatives who work at large call centers in North Texas. The increase recognizes their importance to the success of customer sales and service; will help the company retain skilled, motivated employees, and will help reduce turnover, stress and the need for overtime in the centers.
SOURCE: COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
