The leadership of CWA Locals 2336 and 2108 met together in Landover, MD on Tuesday, May 16^th with their VCSI members who are co-located in Glenn Dale, MD to discuss the morale of the workers at that location.

It is obvious that management at the Glenn Dale location has forgotten the meaning of the word "respect". You would not expect having to deal with a problem of this nature in this day and age. However, there is always someone who thinks they can take us back.

The Union will not tolerate being disrespected and we definitely won’t go back.

A proposal to give Verizon shareholders a more meaningful voice in executive pay decisions has won after a recount garnering 50.18 percent of shareholder votes. The measure was opposed by Verizon’s top management.

The recount by independent election officials was necessary because the vote was too close to call at the company’s annual meeting in Pittsburg on May 3. The proposal, which was submitted by C. William Jones, President of the Association of BellTel Retirees, requires Verizon to submit future executive compensation packages to a non-binding shareholder vote. It is the first time a "say on pay" proposal has won majority support at a publicly owned U.S. company.

The record vote by Verizon shareholders reflects the growing dissatisfaction by shareholders over unregulated and excessive CEO compensation. For more detailed information and investor resources visit http://investor.cwa-union.org/verizon

On Monday, May 15, 2007 the Union and the Company met to review Union concerns regarding overtime administration. The Union voiced its displeasure concerning the company’s unfair distribution of overtime between the FiOS and Copper I&M organizations. The Union also made it very clear that when the traditional Mid-Atlantic thunderstorm period arrives, and the trouble loads increase, the company should honor the contract we both signed, and adhere to the language on pages 159 thru 162.

The Union also took this opportunity to chastise Verizon concerning the inappropriate manner in which they are handling our loyal "copper" customers. Ignoring these customers now could be a fatal mistake when it comes time to encourage them to sign-up for our FiOS services.

Finally, the Union demanded contractual quarterly meetings to discuss overtime issues and made it very clear that not honoring all provisions of the "Overtime Administration" language is totally unacceptable.

CWA Retiree Chapter 2336 of the Greater Washington, D.C. area is sponsoring its First Annual Crab Feast on Sunday, August 5, 2007 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Martins Crosswinds—7400 Greenway Center Dr., Greenbelt, MD. The cost is $55.00. For more details or to purchase tickets, call Patricia Cauley at 202 829-4135 or Betty Brooks at 301 336-5177.

There will be an advanced steward training session held on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at the Local office on 5321 1^st Place NE from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. All stewards are asked to R.S.V.P. by Friday, June 15, 2007.

A new steward training session will be conducted on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Local office on 5321 1^st Place NE from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any members interested in attending this training should contact the Local office no later than June 15, 2007.