Site Map Icon
RSS Feed icon
 
 
 
September 24, 2023
Newsletter Sign-up
Sign-up for newsletter & email updates
Weather Report
Welcome
You are not currently logged in.
Contact Elected Officials!
Organize Today!
Looking for more information on Organizing your workplace?
Click Here
A Message From The President

The Executive Board welcomes all Communications Workers of America, AFL,CIO Local 1120 members to our web page. The purpose of this web page is to provide a means of supplying information about our local and labor issues.    To all CWA Local 1120 Members. I want to thank all of my fellow union brothers and sisters for their commitment, and determination in keeping our local strong. Together we can overcome any challenge that we may face.

James Gescheidle
President, CWA Local 1120

           

 We must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as ‘right to work.’ It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights.
Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining by which unions have improved wages and working conditions of everyone…Wherever these laws have been passed, wages are lower, job opportunities are fewer and there are no civil rights. We do not intend to let them do this to us. We demand this fraud be stopped. Our weapon is our vote.”

Martin Luther King

      

                                                                                                                                                                                 


What's New at CWA 1120
VZ Annual Enrollment

The 2024 Annual Open Enrollment Dates are as follows:

 

October 3, 2023 to October 12, 2023 – (these dates are for Active employees and Retirees)

This is your opportunity to review your benefits and make any changes to your benefits.

Retirees are urged to make any changes during the annual enrollment period; however they continue to have “Anytime Enrollment”. When a retiree makes a change outside of the Annual Enrollment period, the change is effective the first of the month following a 30 day period.  An exception to the “Anytime Enrollment” for retirees is for those retirees with a NCSD after August 2, 2008 who chose to enroll in the HRA option.  Those retirees must remain in the HRA option for the 2024 plan year unless they have a qualifying life event.

Most 2023 elections and designations automatically carry over into 2024 Annual Enrollment. Members who want to stay with their current elections for medical, dental, vision and AD&D life insurance plan without any changes don’t need to do anything.

If you have a Qualifying Life Event between open enrollment and the end of the year, you will need to make changes on BenefitsConnections for both 2023 and 2024. Examples of a Qualifying Life Event are adding a spouse if you get married, adding a child when there is a birth of a new baby etc.

Annual Enrollment Guides are in the mail to employees and retirees now.          

 

 Health Assessment/Wellness Activity Credit

Verizon has informed us that the Health Assessment will not roll over. In order to receive the $100 Health Assessment Credit in 2024, employees will need to retake the Health Assessment or complete one “wellness activity” instead of the Health Assessment to earn the $100 premium reduction for 2024.  On September 1, 2023 Verizon moved to the Virgin Pulse platform for its well-being services.  Virgin Pulse will house the Health Assessment/Wellness Activity credit for 2024.

 

Completions by 12/31/23 will receive full credit for 2023.

Completions in 2024 will receive a prorated credit.

 

Non- Tobacco User Credit - $600 

·       If you are a non-tobacco user and are already receiving credit, no further action is needed.

  • If you are not receiving this credit and DO NOT use tobacco products, indicate your NON-TOBACCO status on BenefitsConnection to receive your $600 credit towards your annual medical contributions.
  • If you and your covered dependents DO USE tobacco products but have completed a tobacco cessation course within the last six months indicate your status on BenefitsConnections during Open Enrollment for the full credit.
  • If you have NOT yet completed a tobacco cessation course, you can earn the full Non-Tobacco Credit in 2024 if you and/or your covered dependents satisfy the reasonable alternative standard as follows:

1)    During Annual Enrollment, log on to BenefitsConnection and answer the Tobacco User Status question while completing your Annual Enrollment elections: - answer YES and intend to complete a tobacco cessation course before July 31, 2024.

 

2)      Before July 31, 2024, complete a tobacco cessation course.  Same as the Health Assessment/Wellness Activity Credit above this will also be housed in the Virgin Pulse platform.

You MUST update your Tobacco User Status response by July 31, 2024 in order to receive the full Non-Tobacco credit. Any update made to your tobacco user status after July 31, 2024 will result in a prorated credit for the remainder of the year.

Retirees:

Your contributions depend on your retirement date, your net credited service date and the medical plan option you select.

For all retirees who retired after January 1, 1992, with a net credited service date before August 3, 2008:

Our contracts with Verizon provide for limits on the amount the Company will contribute toward retiree medical coverage. These limits are referred to as retiree medical caps.

 

In the 2024 plan year, the cost of coverage of each of the Medicare Advantage plan options is less than the applicable retiree medical caps.  If you continue to enroll in a Medicare HMO plan you will be required to pay premiums based on the cost of the plan you are enrolled in.  If you would like more information about the retiree caps and how they affect retiree

contributions, go to BenefitsConnection > Library > Plan Information & SPDs > Annual

Enrollment Materials > Retiree Medical Contributions Supplemental Guide.  Additionally, Verizon has chosen not to offer the HMO Blue Plan option to Medicare-eligible retirees beginning in 2024 due to the high cost of the plan to both the Company and our members.

For the 2024 plan year:

Ø  The cost of coverage for the NYNE pre-Medicare MEP HCP plan option does not exceed the applicable retiree medical caps. Since the caps were not exceeded, there is no need for an alternative plan for 2024.

Ø  The cost of coverage for the NYNE pre-Medicare EPO, Harvard Pilgrim, Capital District Physicians, Blue Alliance, and Aetna HMO plan options will exceed the retiree medical cap by an amount greater than the minimum retiree contribution for retirement dates after 12/31/91. See annual enrollment material for amounts.

Ø  The amount of coverage for all other NY/NE HMOs will either not exceed the retiree caps, or will exceed the caps by an amount not greater than the minimum retiree contributions applicable to that plan option for retirement dates after 12/31/91.

 

 Your current elections will automatically continue unless you make a change.

The billing process will remain unchanged from the process that is in place today for those who are already making contributions. Anyone that is enrolled in a benefit that requires contributions will receive a bill. Bills are mailed by the 15th of each month with a due date of the first of the following month. For example, the bill for the contributions for January 2024 will be mailed/posted to the web by December 15, 2023 with a due date of January 1, 2024.

 

Improved Company Contributions towards medical coverage and an additional HRA option for eligible retirees with a NCSD after August 2, 2008:

 

• Not eligible for Medicare: $576 for each full year of net credited service that

commences on or after August 3, 2008, up to a maximum of 25 years

• Medicare-eligible: $288 for each full year of net credited service that commences

on or after August 3, 2008, up to a maximum of 25 years.

Beginning in 2024, you will have new options outside of Verizon group plan coverage.

If you elect one of these options, your annual company contributions will be available

as a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), subject to rules set forth in your

collective bargaining agreement. Depending on the option, the new HRA would be

administered by:

• Pre-Medicare Exchange HRA through Via Benefits: This option offers access

to medical plans offered by the individual marketplace.

• Pre-Medicare HRA through BenefitsConnection: This option allows you

to enroll in medical coverage that you are eligible for, such as through the VA

or as an eligible dependent on someone else’s plan (e.g., your spouse’s plan).

Certain out of pocket expenses that you incur, like after tax premiums and other

medical and prescription drug related expenses not paid by your medical plan,

will be reimbursed in accordance with your collective bargaining agreement.

During annual enrollment you must go into Benefits Connection, opt yourself and

all eligible dependents out of Verizon group plan coverage and elect either the

Pre-Medicare Exchange HRA through Via Benefits or Pre-Medicare HRA through

BenefitsConnection. You must select the same option for you and your dependents.

For more information about the Via Benefits Exchange, go to BenefitsConnection

> Annual Enrollment > Via Benefits. Benefits Advisors are available to take your call

and discuss additional information beginning October 3, 2023.

For the 2024 plan year, the enrollment period for a plan through the Via Benefits

Exchange with the individual marketplace is from November 1, 2023 through

December 15, 2023. We realize that occurs after your Verizon Annual Enrollment

period. Therefore, if you opt out of Verizon group coverage during your Verizon

Annual Enrollment period but then decide that one of the individual plan options

is not suited for you, you will have an opportunity to return to BenefitsConnection

before December 15, 2023 to re-enroll in Verizon group plan coverage.

Retirees can elect to have contributions paid via ACH debit or pension deduction:

Because ACH direct debit is the fastest and easiest way for a retiree to pay for coverage, it is highlighted on each monthly invoice that is mailed home to encourage enrollment. The retiree can enroll in this option on the secure BenefitsConnection website by providing his/her routing and checking account number. The balance due would be debited out of their account on the first business day of the month.

A retiree who is receiving a monthly pension also has the option to have his/her deductions taken from their pension check. A retiree would have to call the Benefit Center and speak with a representative to enroll in this option.

Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)

Annual enrollment offers you the opportunity to make changes to your current life insurance coverage amounts and/or waive coverage. The rates for coverage are based on age ranges. As you and your spouse fall into a new age band your costs could increase. If you choose to continue your coverage, no further action is required.

Verify your beneficiary status to make sure it is accurate and up to date. It is a good idea to do this every year.

Dependent Verification

 

In 2024, you will need to re-verify that your spouse or domestic partner currently meets the requirements for dependent coverage. A Spouse/Domestic Partner paper audit will be mailed to your home address on file during the new plan year. The audit will be for any spouse or domestic partner enrolled in medical, dental and/or vision coverage for the 2024 plan year. Take this opportunity during Annual Enrollment to review and update your eligible dependents.

General Membership Meeting

CWA

QUARTERLY

LOCAL MEETING

THURSDAY

September 21, 2023

6:00 P.M.

New Paltz Elks Lodge

290 State Rte 32 S,

New Paltz

General Membership Meeting

CWA

QUARTERLY

LOCAL MEETING

THURSDAY

May 18, 2023

6:00 P.M.

New Paltz Elks Lodge

290 State Rte 32 S,

New Paltz

CWA Quarterly Zoom

CWA 1120

QUARTERLY

LOCAL MEETING

 

 

Thursday

January 26th, 2023

6:00pm

CWA Local 1120's Quarterly Zoom Meeting
Time: Jan 26, 2023 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82730629041?pwd=MUJvSmtZVWVjcVNUalZsWFNmWkR6UT09

Big Legislative Victory For CWA In NYS
We have one last BIG update about our legislative work for 2022: earlier this year, the NY State Senate voted 60-1 and the State Assembly voted unanimously to pass our bill to protect our jobs and stop dangerous One Touch Make Ready regulations - and this week, Governor Hochul signed it into law. Read More...
Bylaw Change has been Ratified
The proposed change to Article 12 of the CWA Local 1120 By-Laws was ratified by a vote during the November 17, 2022 Quarterly Meeting. Read More...
By-Law Change Proposal and General Membership Notification

General Membership and By-Law Proposal Meeting and Vote

November 17, 2022

Teamsters Local 445 Union Hall

15 Stone Castle Rd. Rock Tavern, NY 12575

6:00 P.M.

Below is the proposed change to Article 12 of the CWA Local 1120 By-Laws to be voted on during the November 17, 2022 Quarterly Meeting.

The current language is struck and the proposed language is bold and underlined. 

If you have any questions, please contact your Business Agent or the Union Hall. 

ARTICLE 12

LOCAL OFFICERS, BUSINESS AGENTS, STEWARDS

AND THEIR DUTIES

SECTION 1 – LOCAL OFFICERS

  1. The Officers of the local shall be:

  1. Local President
  2. Local Executive Vice President
  3. Local Secretary/Treasurer

B.  The duties of the Local Officers shall be as follows:

  1. The Local President shall:
    1. Be responsible for the conduct of all local business.
    2. Preside at local meetings, local executive board and local officers meetings.
    3. Prosecute grievances and appeal them to higher levels.
    4. Supervise all local committees.
    5. Approve all bills to be paid.
    6. Perform whatever additional duties may be assigned by the local or required by the policies or Constitution of the Union.
    7. Coordinate activities of the Business Agents; coordinate action taken at meetings, and compile reports from the Business Agents.
    8. The President shall hold no other office except that of convention delegate.

  1. The Local Executive Vice President shall:

  1. Work under the direction of the Local President.
  2. Perform whatever duties as may be assigned by the local, local Executive Board and local President.
  3. The Executive Vice President shall hold no other office except that of convention delegate.

  1. The Local Secretary/Treasurer shall:

  1. Maintain a record of the local membership.
  2. Record and maintain the minutes of all meetings of the local, the local Executive Board, or local officers.
  3. Furnish the International Vice President and the Secretary/Treasurer of the Union with copies of any changes made in these Bylaws within ten (10) days after such changes are made.
  4. Be custodian to all assets of the Local.
  5. Report to each membership on the financial status of the Local.
  6. Be bonded, as must any other person who handles the local funds or other property, in accordance with the local Constitution or any State or Federal Law.
  7. Cause the payment of all bills approved by the Local President.
  8. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Local Executive Board or the Local President.
  9. The Secretary/Treasurer shall hold no other office except that of convention delegate.

SECTION 2 – BUSINESS AGENTS

  1.    The local shall have four (4) Business Agents: Newburgh/Monticello area one, Poughkeepsie area one, Kingston area one, and Unit consisting of educational institution employees, hereafter, to be elected by the membership of the respective area or unit.

A.   Effective at the completion of the November 2023 Executive Board Elections, the local shall have three (3) Business Agents: Poughkeepise/Newburgh area one, Cairo/Kingston/Monticello area one, and Unit consisting of educational institution employees, hereafter, to be elected by the membership of the respective area or unit.

  1. Duties of the Business Agent:

  1. The Business Agent will call and conduct meetings for the members. This is in accordance with the agenda and items adopted by the Executive Board.

  1. Business Agent will coordinate all reports with the Local President.

  1. Business Agents will be responsible for carrying out all Union Programs within his or her area.

  1. The Business Agent will be responsible for coordinating all grievance activity within the respective area.

  1. The Business Agent shall hold no other office except that of convention delegate.

SECTION 3 – LOCAL STEWARDS

  1. There shall be at least one (1) steward for each immediate supervisor’s group. Stewards shall be elected by the members of their group. Elections of stewards shall be held following the general elections by the newly elected Business Agent.

  1. The duties of the Local Steward shall be as follows:

  1. Work under the direction of the Local President and Business Agent.
  2. Perform whatever duties as may be assigned by the Local, Local Executive Board, and Local President.
  3. Stewards shall hold no other elected office, except that of convention delegate.

  1. Chief Stewards shall be appointed by the Business Agent.

  1. Duties of a Chief Steward shall be the same as a Steward’s.

SECTION 4 – EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE LOCAL

The Officers of the Executive Board cannot accept an acting supervisory position during their term of office. The Local will not accept their resignation for this purpose. All resignations will be reviewed by the Executive Board.

SECTION 5 – APPOINTMENTS BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board may appoint a temporary Business Agent, to perform all duties of that office, if in the event the elected Business Agent is unable. Such appointments shall remain in effect until the elected Business Agent returns to duty or until the members of the respective area take the necessary step to elect a permanent replacement.

SECTION 6 – ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

The Assistant to the President shall perform all duties as may be assigned by the Local, Local Executive Board, and local President.

Member Login
Username:

Password:


Not registered yet?
Click Here to sign-up

Forgot Your Login?
Site Search
Site Map
RSS Feeds
<< September 2023 >>
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
 
 
Communications Workers of America Local 1120
Copyright © 2023, All Rights Reserved.
Powered By UnionActive™
Visit Unions-America.com!

Top of Page image