COVID-19 Update From Verizon

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V Team,

We continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) developments and address every matter that touches upon the well-being of our employees and customers, while delivering uninterrupted network services and connectivity to our customers. We’re constantly evaluating our policies to make sure they are responsive and sensitive to our employees’ needs.

Today, we reached an agreement with the East unions regarding temporary work-at-home arrangements in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the agreement, we will determine when it is practical to allow associates in a title and workgroup to work from home. When we conclude we can do so within a workgroup, we’ll make work-at-home available on a voluntary basis, potentially through the end of April.

We recognize that many of our jobs require our associates to be at our workplaces to serve our customers. For associates in those positions, work-at-home will not be an option. Our facilities remain open and for those who come to our workplaces, we will keep all spaces safe and clean. We’re adhering to protocols to clean and sanitize our offices, vehicles and equipment, as well as closely monitoring the situation in each community. As always, our customers and communities depend on our communications networks and services, and we’re committed to keeping them connected.

Here’s what you can expect next. Each organization will be conducting its own evaluation of which positions are appropriate for work at home. Your leader will let you know if your job permits this work-from-home option. Until you hear otherwise from your leader, continue to report for your normal work assignment. If you hear from your leader that your job is eligible, you will be able to volunteer. If there are more volunteers than we can accommodate, seniority will determine who can work from home. Your leader will work with you on the details and you’ll be expected and required to:

  • Comply with all of Verizon’s rules and policies including the Code of Conduct.
  • Safeguard all company property and information. Install and maintain all company property (e.g., laptops, power cords, monitors, etc.) provided to you to effectively work at home.

Our people are our greatest strength and your health and well-being is our top priority. We are grateful to the leadership of the CWA and the IBEW for supporting this initiative. We will continue to keep in close contact as we navigate the days ahead.

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Estate Planning Help

Head on over to the New England Work & Family website to take advantage of this great promotion!

Estate planning can be an overwhelming, time-consuming task that shouldn’t be avoided. This kit will break down the necessary steps to put your estate in order and make difficult times easier for your loved ones. The Estate Planning Basics provides guidance and direction to planning areas such as wills, beneficiaries, living trusts, probate, retirement plans, estate tax, and lawyers. This book explains how to make a plan and carry it to completion, and includes access to Nolo’s Wills, Trusts and Probate center, where you’ll find hundreds of articles and FAQs, and useful legal forms. A unique page is also available online with legal updates pertaining to just this book.

Now that you are on your way to creating an estate plan, it’s important to have a way to store and keep track of the important documents you and your family will need. This NEW&F Document Holder is the perfect solution. A heavy-duty document holder will keep your documents safe and damage-free. It features ten expandable file pockets to organize the documents you need to store or carry with you. Everything you need in one convenient place!

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New MA Paid Family Medical Leave

If you have any questions, Massachusetts has updated its information on the MA Paid Family Medical Leave, which you can find via this link. 

“Establishes a system for paid family leave of up to 12 weeks to care for a family member, and up to 20 weeks for your own illness. The tax that pays for it begins in 2019, and leave will be available beginning in 2021.”

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MA Unemployment Decision

Brothers and Sisters, 

After a long, uphill battle, CWA and IBEW have just been notified of the MA Unemployment decision by the Boston Municipal Court. Unfortunately, because our strike was so effective, our unemployment appeal has been denied.

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