On Thursday, May 14, 2009, CWA District 2 launched the initial phase of Project Total Engagement with the implementation of the Management Improvement Plan (MIP).

This plan is being implemented to address the ongoing lack of concern by Verizon for employees’ quality of work life, and total disregard for the Union and its membership.

The plan suggests progressive discipline for the company’s failures in adherence to the principal of mutual respect agreed to in the General Agreement—with continued failure to comply with these requirements resulting in heightened mobilization activity up to and including "TOTAL ENGAGEMENT".

The activities began with a ceremony saluting cervical cancer survivors and a moment of silence to remember those who have lost their lives to this disease. After the walk, there was a pep rally focused on the things that each person can do to make a difference and help eliminate cervical cancer.

Verizon Connected Solutions will use the following overtime caps for the second half of 2009:

• 10 hour months: October & November
• 15 hour months: July, August, September & December

The U.S. Department of Labor issued revisions to FMLA regulations earlier this year. The complete complement of regulatory revisions introduced a number of changes to FMLA and provided clarification on many FMLA issues. AT&T immediately implemented compliance-related changes on January 16, as required by law.

If you have additional questions not addressed on the Web, please call HROneStop at 888-722-1787 and say "FMLA" at the prompt.

On Saturday, May 16, 2009, Local VP’s Claudia Cole and Keith Leonard attended the First Annual Reunion of Current and Retired C&P, Bell Atlantic and Verizon employees. The function, held at the Sir Walter Raleigh Restaurant in Greenbelt, Maryland, was planned and hosted by Gertrude Johnson.

This joyous affair, attended by more than 100 people, included current and retired employees whose net credited service goes as far back and 1968. It gave the participants the opportunity to share many memories of days past and present while enjoying a scrumptious meal.

On Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16, 2009, Local President Mike Harris was in attendance to the 30^th Annual Convention of the Virginia State unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) held in Richmond, Virginia.

President Harris presided over the Solidarity Breakfast which took place on Saturday morning. Kirk Jones, a member of CWA Local 2201 and President of the Central Virginia Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, was keynote speaker at the breakfast.

The theme of the convention "Moving Forward in Difficult Times" is significant in that SCLC and the labor movement are moving forward together. SCLC publicly expressed their support and endorsement of the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.