Washington and Hawaii Locals Also Reach Agreement with Verizon

What started as an informal sit-down turned into a serious bargaining session and four days latermuch to the surprise of IBEW members in Floridaan agreement was reached with Verizon on a new three-year contract.

Instead, Johnson said, the early agreement "extends the security arrangements we had in our current contract." It also includes a 12-percent wage increase and a pension plan survivor benefit that raises the industry standard. Other features include a team performance incentive plan, an additional (sixth) personal holiday and improvements in the medical, vision and dental coverage plus improved sickness disability benefits.

Before the talks with Local 824, Verizon reached agreements with Local 89 in Seattle, Washington, and Local 1357 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Workers at all three locals were formerly employed by GTE, which merged with Bell Atlantic to form Verizon in 2000.

LU 89 BM Ray Egelhoff

Local 89 Business Manager Ray Egelhoff said the new three-year agreement covering 2,200 members includes a 12-percent wage hike as well as improvements to retiree health care and the companys contribution to employee 401(k) plans. Local 1357 negotiated a five-year pact that Business Manager Harold Dias, Jr. said provides 1,500 members long-term stability, a 20 percent wage increase and improvements in disability leave, pensions and vacation time.