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E-Activist Alert
Local 1106 News:
Verizon Wireless' Partnership With Comcast Sets Up Potential Conflicts With FiOS
A few weeks ago, Verizon Wireless and Comcast took the first steps toward a partnership involving spectrum deals and an agreement to sell each others' services. The wireless giant started offering Comcast's Xfinity internet TV, and home phone services in Portland and Seattle, but there's a few potential conflicts that could crop up - specifically the fact that Verizon is also heavily invested in its FiOS services which compete directly with Comcast. While Portland and Seattle are both markets where FiOS is unavailable, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that as the Verizon Wireless/Comcast partnership expands, it could start encroaching upon FiOS areas, setting up a potentially awkward conflict between Verizon's wireless and telecommunications arms.
There's already some oddity on display: a page on Verizon Wireless' website claims Comcast offers "the fastest Internet service in the nation," while the Verizon FiOS page simultaneously claims it "beats every other cable provider in speed reliability." Comcast is even expecting to use this disconnect to weaken the position of FiOS going forward: last month, Comcast Cheif Executive Neil Smit, indicated that his company will work with Verizon Wireless to develop new products with the goal of giving Comcast "a very important strategic competitive advantage." Smit then confirmed that Comcast would be able to use that advantage." Smit then confirmed that Comcast would be able to use that advantage against Verizon in areas where FiOS and Comcast compete.
All this action comes even though Verizon hasn't managed to wrap up its $3.6 billion spectrum purchase from Comcast and Time Warner, a deal that's still under investigation by the FCC. We're still waiting to hear from the Department of Justice and the FCC, but it's clear both companies are taking this partnership seriously and hope to have joint services available as soon as possible.
Added: February 10th, 2012 2:54PM | 
Farewell to Tommy O
The Executive Board of Local 1106 wants to wish congratulations and good luck to Inside Delegate Tom Occhiogrosso on his retirement.
Tom started with New York Telephone in 1966. Early on he became a Shop Steward, and then went on to become the District Steward for the Newtown/Corona inside district. He served on the Executive Board as a Delegate representing Inside crafts for 18 years. During that time Tom also served on the Training Advisory Committee for the National Union as well as representing 1106 on the Next Step Committee. He was one of the two trainers who prepared many of you for the UTP/SPV tests. He is to thank for many of your upgrades.
Tom also served on the Inside Safety Committee and was instrumental in the many successes of that committee. He was the co-editor of the quarterly Safety Newsletter, published through this committee, besides being the editor of the Local 1106 News Letter.
Tom was a committed Delegate and all those members who had the opportunity to work with him recognized his dedication. He will be sorely missed.
The entire Executive Board will feel his absence, as he could always be counted on. He will especially be missed by Inside Vice President Hondo DeStefano and Inside Delegate Eileen Flannery who worked closely with him for 18 and 15 years, respectively. They both know that Tom started and retired as a true union labor leader.
From the entire Executive Board, we wish Tom well in his retirement and feel grateful we had the opportunity to work with him.
Added: January 6th, 2012 11:24AM |
1106 Speaks Out Against Verigreedy
On December14th approximately 200 Local 1106 members joined the CWA & Occupy Wall Street Labor Outreach Committee for a march & general assembly in Forest Hills, Queens. We met at the Verizon Multi-Lingual Center and Central Office on 70th Rd. We were lead by our District 1 Occupy Wall Street liaison, Amy Muldoon, who had contacted the NYPD Community Affairs liaison & arranged to close off the streets to traffic as we marched. We went up 70th Rd. to Austin St., passing the Verizon Wireless Store, down to Continental Ave., then back to the Verizon building.
The energy was high and positive. We chanted as we marched and carried signs identifying ourselves as part of the 99% and calling out to the Verigreedy Company for a fair contract. We were joined by a few members of Local 1105, several members of our sister unions TWU, Local 100 and, SEIU, Local 1199, as well as Occupy Wall Street activists . Even some pedestrians who identified with our cause picked up signs and marched right along with us. It was a powerful feeling to be part of this very important march. There was a strong sense of unity and purpose.
When we completed the march we assembled in front of the Verizon building, around the large rat, supplied to us by the Teamsters, Local 814. There, Amy conducted an "open mic" session, which allowed anyone who wished to speak to do so. Many of our members, including President Elect, Jerry Bulzomi, got up to speak their minds. Members of the other unions spoke, too, sharing stories of their own struggles and pledging their support to us. One of the most moving stories came from a member of CWA Local 1101 whose employment was recently terminated due to "strike related activities." He told us how afraid his family is for the future, but how he, himself, felt no fear while he attended our rally because it gave him hope.
Being part of events like this gives everyone there hope and a sense of empowerment. We are strong and we are right! We encourage all members to participate in any future events that are scheduled. We will keep the tape and our steward body updated with that information as it becomes available. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to our Bargaining Teams to conduct mobilization activities. So, get involved! Get off the sidelines! And thank you to all of you who did participate.
Added: December 22nd, 2011 3:51PM |
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NY State Unemployment
ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do
CWA National Home Page
www.cwa-union.org
CWA National Political Page
www.cwa-legislative.org
CWA District 1
district1.cwa-union.org
CWA Retired Members Council
www.cwa-union.org/rmc
CWA Credit Union
www.cwacreditunion.com
AFL-CIO
www.aflcio.org
FOA Law
www.foalaw.com
Union Plus
www.unionplus.org
Verizon Benefits Resources
resources.hewitt.com/verizon
Medco Prescription Drug Plan
www.merck-medco.com
MetLife
www.metlife.com/mybenefits
Next Step Program
www.nspinfo.com
Verizon Foundation
www.verizon.com/foundation
National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.ndvh.org
National Child Care Information Center
nccic.org
Seniors-Site.com
seniors-site.com
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