The union representing 30,000 workers at Verizon has negotiated paid leave for union members who can’t work during the COVID-19 outbreak. Will our International Union fight for these benefits to protect working Teamsters?

Like many Teamsters, telephone workers are on the job as essential workers during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has negotiated paid leave for Verizon workers who can’t work during the Coronavirus outbreak, including:

Paid Leave If Diagnosed With COVID-19

CWA members at Verizon diagnosed with COVID-19 will get a paid leave-of-absence of up to 26 weeks at regularly hourly pay from the first date of absence until the person is medically cleared to return to work.

Paid Leave If Directed by Doctor to Stay Home

CWA members directed by a doctor to stay out of the workplace due to an underlying health condition (their own or a household member's) will get a paid leave of absence up to 8 weeks at the regular hourly rate and up to 18 weeks at 60% pay. 

Paid Family Leave for Childcare

CWA members who can’t work because they are needed to care for a child whose school or daycare has been closed due to COVID-19 will be offered a paid leave of absence of up to 8 weeks at the regular hourly rate and up to 18 weeks at 60% pay. 

Paid Family Medical Leave

CWA members who can’t work because they are needed to care for a person medically diagnosed with COVID-19 who is unable to provide self-care will be offered a paid leave of absence of up to 8 weeks at the regular hourly rate and up to 18 weeks at 60% pay.

Read the Letter of Agreement posted on the CWA website.

Teamster Action Needed on Paid Leave

The paid leave won by the union at Verizon surpasses anything even raised by our International Union for Teamsters working in parcel, trucking, grocery, food, beverage, waste, and other essential frontline services that put workers at risk.

An International crisis requires leadership from our International Union to protect the public and the working Teamsters who are keeping our economy and its essential services going.