Statement by the Communications Workers of America on Negotiations with Verizon

Responding to Verizon’s refusal to drop proposals that would hurt the families of nearly 40,000 striking workers, Dennis G. Trainor, Vice President, CWA District One and Ed Mooney, Vice President, CWA District 2-13, issued the following statement:

Verizon workers remain on strike and are standing strong on the picket lines. At negotiating sessions in Westchester and Philadelphia today, executives refused to back off of callous proposals that would hurt working families and destroy middle class jobs, including shipping jobs overseas and outsourcing work. The company also failed to budge on the issues facing Verizon Wireless workers. Verizon workers, customers and shareholders need the company to get serious about negotiations and building a stronger company.

Customer opinion of Verizon has hit a three-year low as Verizon executives refuse to settle a contract that would put skilled technicians and experienced customer service workers back on the job.

Customers are already tired of the wait times, unsafe work practices and poor service being provided by untrained management replacement workers.

Shareholders are going to feel the impact of a prolonged strike that executives could easily end, and they're already risking financial losses as Verizon breaks promises to local communities and fails to maintain lines in multiple states.

It’s time for Verizon to set aside its obsession with short term profits and exorbitant salaries for a few executives. It’s time for Verizon to start bargaining in good faith in order to preserve good middle-class jobs and ensure that customers receive the high quality service they deserve.

The union is currently considering its next steps in the bargaining process.