RIP Brother Michael W. Messineo

It is with great sorrow that I must announce the death of dearly departed Brother Michael W. Messineo. He passed away at the age of 67 on August 11, 2020.

VISITATION:

Friday
August 14, 2020
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cataudella Funeral Home
126 Pleasant Valley Street
Methuen, MA 01844

Obituary & more information here.

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August Meeting Cancelled

Regretfully, the regular monthly union meeting for the month of August will be cancelled.

This decision was made with permission of the IBEW International District Vice President to conform with extensions of state and federal safety guidelines and orders.

All minutes from Local 2321 Executive Board meetings from April, May, June, July, and August will be read and Treasurer’s Reports made available at the next scheduled meeting.

Please continue to stay safe and remain in solidarity with each other.

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RIP Brother Mark Laferriere

It is with great sorrow that I must announce the death of dearly departed Brother Mark Laferriere.  Mark’s passing last week at age 52 was very unexpected and a devastating shock to his family.  Mark was an Automotive Equipment Mechanic with Verizon’s Fleet department with 5 years as an IBEW Local 2321 member.  Everyone who knew him will remember his quick wit, his generosity, and his keen job skills.  Service will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kayleigh Laferriere Scholarship Fund, in care of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union.  More information, and the address and account number for contributions, can be found in Mark’s obituary at currentobituary.com.  Family and friends will of course miss him, so please keep Mark and his family in your prayers.

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Updated Leave of Absence Information

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Members may be eligible for a LOA related to COVID-19 for up to 26 weeks. There are 4 scenarios for this leave:

  1. For those medically diagnosed with COVID-19
  2. For those with an underlying condition (their own or a household member) who are unable to work from home.
  3. For those with childcare or eldercare issues
  4. For those caring for a person diagnosed with COVID-19

Please CLICK HERE to read the agreement.

How to Apply for a Covid-19 LOA

To apply for a Leave of Absence from a company computer, tablet or phone,
access the COVID-19 Resource Page on the VZ E-Web.

If you are unable to access the VZ E-Web use one the links below:

Effective April 16, 2020 – COVID-19 – Community Medical Support Leave

  • In light of federal, state, and municipal calls for medically-trained individuals to support in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company will enable medically-trained associates (e.g., doctors, nurses, EMT’s) providing such medical support to take a leave of absence in one week intervals of up to 8 weeks with pay at their basic hourly rate and up to 18 weeks with pay at 60% of their basic hourly rate (subject to termination at any time during the 26 week period if/when the associate ceases or curtails work supporting the COVID-19 response effort.)
  1. Gather the necessary documents to support your application. You will need to upload documents verifying the following with your request for leave: 
    1. Your medical certification
    2. Call for Community Medical Support (advertisement, letter, etc.)
    3. Confirmation of acceptance at a facility in alignment with the Call for Community Medical Support
    4. Name and location of the facility where you will be providing medical services
    5. Description of medical services you will be providing while on leave
    6. Confirmation of pay/non-pay 
  2. Complete the COVID-19 Community Medical Support Leave Request form and attach the above documentation.
  3. You and your supervisor will be notified within 24 hours of decision.  

If approved and once you complete your assignment providing COVID-19 Community Medical Support, Verizon will require that you work from home for 14 days before returning to Verizon facilities. If you are unable to work from home, please notify your HR Business Partner, and they can work with you to implement a 14-day quarantine leave.

Please CLICK HERE to read the agreement.

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Work From Home Information

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The IBEW & CWA have been working hard with Verizon to reach agreements to protect our members, while at the same time maintaining our network. We have made the following agreements:

Work from Home:

Members who work an inside desk job, who have the required broadband service at their residence, who requests to work at home, have been allowed to do so.  At this time, more than 90% of eligible employees have chosen to work from home. If you have any issues, please call the Union office.

Today, the System Council T6 has agreed to extend the Work at Home and Home Garaging agreement until September 30, 2020.  Both CWA and Mid-Atlantic have also agreed to the extension.  Continuing this option will help keep people safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 until there is more information about the progress of the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

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