Verizon: Little Progress In Talks Over New Contracts For East Landline Employees

(RTTNews) - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) said that, after nearly seven weeks of challenging negotiations, it is preparing for all potential scenarios following the expiration of its contracts with the CWA and IBEW, covering more than 37,000 Wireline employees in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The contracts expire at midnight, August 1, 2015.

While the company presented union leaders with a comprehensive initial offer on June 22 that included a solid wage increase, union leaders countered with a series of proposals that did virtually nothing to advance the progress of negotiations, the company said.

"Employees are eligible to receive up to five weeks of paid vacation time, not including paid sick days and paid excused days," said Marc Reed, Verizon's chief administrative officer.

"While we're willing to consider all offers, union leaders came back with counterproposals that would offer up to 19 additional days off, including new holidays, employee birthdays, more vacation days and additional sick days. That sort of proposal is unrealistic and out-of-touch in today's marketplace,"said Marc Reed.