Back to Work at Verizon

Submitted by Danielle on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 4:27pm


Families vigil outside Verizon CEO Lowell McAdams' home in Mendham, NJ

Local 1023 pickets outside a Verizon Wireless Store In East Brunswick, NJ.



          45,000 Verizon workers across the East Coast went on Strike for two weeks in August after Verizon walked away from the bargaining table and the contract ended on August 6th. Despite making $22.5 billion in profit over the last four and a half years, and paying its top five executives $258 million in the last four years alone, Verizon wanted $1 billion in concessions from its unionized workers—nearly $20,000 in cuts from every employee.  It also wanted to eliminate all job protection provisions of the contract, as well as any limitations on contracting out American jobs overseas. Verizon members picketed worksites and Verizon Wireless stores everywhere from Massachusetts to Virginia. Here in New Jersey, they were joined by many of their non-Verizon brothers and sisters in a much appreciated and strong demonstration of solidarity.

          The Strike was suspended, and Verizon workers returned to work, when they obtained  an agreement from Verizon Management to:

  1. Extend the old contract indefinitely;
  2. Engage in meaningful bargaining with a restructured process;
  3. Remove some of the more ridiculous issues off the table, including the demand to eliminate three holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr Day and Veterans Day.


           The Bargaining Committee is meeting with the Company and they are reviewing data on jobs and health care, preparing counter-proposals, and struggling every step of the way.

           Mobilization at the Verizon Wireless stores continues and we have a plan for a series of member meetings and a major jobs event at a Verizon headquarters. To participate in Verizon mobilizations, please contact your local for details in your area.

           To see the letter CWA has sent to New Jersey legislators thanking them for helping fight for a fair contract and asking them to keep the pressure up on Verizon to do the right thing, please click here.

          To find out the latest news about Verizon, please click here.

          To see more pictures from the Strike, click here.