At the Verizon Connected Solutions (VCSI) table there is much to be done and the Company has yet to agree on any of the real substantive issues raised by our bargaining committee.

At the Verizon Mid-Atlantic (Core Company) table the Unions expressed their anger over the Company changing their commitment to limit their agenda to "modest changes designed to change behavior in the medical plan." The Company is demanding cost shifting in healthcare for active employees and retirees, elimination of the cash out option, elimination of the COLA, elimination of the Corporate Profit Sharing and other reductions in wages and benefits. To date, there is no agreement on any issue.

It is very clear that the Company has a wide agenda of take backs and concessions, and at this time, we are even further apart than when we first started. This is the first time ever that the Company has bargained in this way, and their lack of credibility at the table is making the task even more difficult.

On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, strike authorization ballots were sent out to our members in the Verizon Mid-Atlantic and Verizon Connected Solutions Incorporated bargaining units. We strongly urge our members to support their bargaining agendas by providing their Bargaining Committees with a large strike authorization vote. While a vote to authorize a strike does not automatically mean there will be a strike, it sends a most important message to Verizon—our members, who make this Company a success, will not give back or give up!

We know there are rumors about bargaining. Some are planted by the Company, and some are just from the rumor mill. This happens in every round of bargaining. But always remember—the only reliable source of information about bargaining will come from your bargaining team.

All ballots must be received in Post Office Box 60868, Washington, D.C. 20077-4050, no later than 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2008. Any member who has not received their ballot by Monday, July 7, 2008 should contact the Local office immediately on 202 291-1500.

It was the Union’s intention to reach a new agreement by the June 30^th deadline. Unfortunately for our members, the Company returned to the table without the same intention.

The Company proposal had only minimal changes and still also includes a new hire component that would make health care out of reach for many years. This shows no respect for our members who work to produce the double-digit quarterly growth that keeps them as the number one wireless company. The Company continues to think that our members should pay up to double-digit percentages of their income in premiums and deductibles before their proposed plan would a pay a dime in benefits.

They continue to think that our members should willingly accept this hardship, and without the Company even sharing any of the savings they would begin seeing. This is what they think of their employees!

The next step in this process is to meet together with a Mediator who will attempt to facilitate us reaching a tentative agreement. Mediation will begin on July 14^th and continue up to ten days. Mediation is an "off-the-record" process that is not binding to either party. Discussions during this period may not be used by either party in the event that no agreement is reached.

The contract for our members at Idearc Media (once VIS) expires on August 2, 2008. The Union was informed on June 16, 2008 of the Company’s intention to consolidate the work performed by directory clerical employees in Lanham, Maryland to Middleton, Massachusetts.

However, as of the date of this Wrap Up, it has not been determined when the transfer of work to Middleton will happen. Therefore, the Union and Company will enter in discussions (on a date to be determined) concerning an extension of the current collective bargaining agreement.

This will be a night out at the new union-built stadium to support the Community Services Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO. Game time is 7:35 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2008—gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10.00 each with $1.00 from each ticket sale going to support the Community Services Agency. To purchase tickets on a first come—first serve basis, contact the Local office on 202 291-1500.