CWA Files Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Verizon

CWA: Verizon's Refusal to Bargain in Good Faith is Labor Law Violation

Washington, D.C. — August 12, 2011 — The Communications Workers of America has filed unfair labor practice charges against Verizon Communications for labor law violations in contract negotiations covering Verizon, Verizon Wireless and VCSI workers. The charges, filed with National Labor Relations Board offices in New York and Baltimore, make the case that Verizon has refused to bargain in good faith with CWA.

CWA is urging the NLRB to immediately order Verizon management to drop its refusal to bargain and negotiate in good faith as the law requires.

Some 45,000 workers, members of CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, have been on strike since 12:01 a.m. Aug. 7.

"Since the first day of negotiations, through contract expiration and even today, Verizon management has demanded the same $1 billion in concessions from its 45,000 workers. These demands would cost every family $20,000 a year. This is unacceptable from a company that is among the 10 wealthiest in America, that compensates the top five executives at a level of more than a quarter of a billion dollars over four years, that doesn't pay any federal income tax and still gets a $1.3 billion tax rebate," said CWA Communications Director Candice Johnson.

CWA has made it clear to Verizon that when the company is ready to bargain seriously, CWA members are prepared to return to work.

"If wealthy companies like Verizon can continue to cut working families' pay and benefits, we will never have an economic recovery in this country. This is a fight for all middle class working families. We're standing up for good jobs in our communities," Johnson said.

CWA represents 35,000 workers at Verizon and VCSI and about 70 at Verizon Wireless.

Contact: Candice Johnson and Chuck Porcari, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org and cporcari@cwa-union.org