Letters: Verizon should provide details of union talks

ISSUE | VERIZON STRIKE

Provide the details

During the contract negotiations between striking members of the Communications Workers of America and Verizon, the company has made claims in television commercials and newspaper ads that do not tell the entire story; many issues are not addressed ("Verizon, union leaders meet with Labor secretary," Tuesday).

One item is health-care benefits. CWA members have had access to good health-care benefits, but we pay for them. During these negotiations, Verizon is demanding that we pay significantly more.

For retiree benefits, CWA has offered an alternative plan that would allow retirees to switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan under the Affordable Care Act. This offer could save Verizon about $200 million during a three-year contract, but Verizon has rejected it.

CWA members have made sacrifices and would like Verizon to bargain fairly. Verizon customers and the public deserve the full story about what is going on.

|Dave Miller, CWA member, Local 13000/Unit 22, Warminster, daveoz3@verizon.net