Bargaining Update

Verizon Strike Enters Third Week

Three weeks into the strike at Verizon, CWA and IBEW members are standing firm, picket lines are strong and we're determined to last one day longer than Verizon executives. Verizon requested that CWA and IBEW go to the bargaining table; we agreed. Our members are ready for whatever comes next.

For the latest, go to standuptoverizon.com and www.facebook.com/standuptoverizon.

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Rep. Robert Brady (D-Pa.) shows his solidarity with striking Verizon workers.

On picket lines, allies including People's Action, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, National Nurses Union, Teachers, Jobs with Justice, Unite Here and many elected officials joined CWAers in New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and other locations. Unionen, a Swedish union representing 600,000 workers, sent a solidarity letter, and Rep. Robert Brady (D-Pa.) gave our message full play at his Capitol Hill office.

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CWA Local 1101 Chief Steward Keith Hogarty writes, "For nineteen years, I've worked at Verizon's East 56th Street central office, across the street from a NYC public school. Every day, I walked past the students, never giving them a second thought. I assumed they felt the same towards me. They walked past me with textbooks and backpacks and I walked past with grievances and handbills."

Read more to learn what happened during our strike.

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At the Chesapeake Complex in Silver Spring, Md., CWA members from across D2-13 rallied and called on Verizon management to get back to the bargaining table.

Members of CWA Locals 13500 and 13000 in Pittsburgh are
featured in this great video.

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Meanwhile, CWA pointed out the dangers that managers were creating for themselves and the public in trying to do the work of highly trained CWA technicians and professionals. Basic safety practices aren't being followed as unqualified managers and contractors hang cables, place poles and operate heavy equipment throughout the Verizon footprint, from Massachusetts to Virginia. Read more here.

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You can join the fight by sending this petition to Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam.

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CWA activists and allies are picketing outside Verizon stores and are getting a good response from customers who support our call to stop offshoring good jobs and negotiate a fair contract for Verizon and Verizon Wireless workers.
The campaign is heating up nationwide.
Clockwise from top left: AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka and CWA President Shelton join picket line in Washington, D.C.; East Brunswick, N.J.; Newark, Del.; Massapequa, N.Y.; Trenton, N.J.; Philadelphia; Bel Air, Md; at Penn State University;
Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Washington, D.C., Boston, Mass., and New York City;
Annapolis area, Md. and Albany, N.Y.

AT&T West

Left: CWAers are mobilizing at AT&T West, working without a contract while negotiations continue. Some great mobilization underway: premises technicians and members of CWA Local 9510 keep the line strong in Orange, Calif., while call center workers. Right: Members of CWA Local 9510 mark "Black Fridays."

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In Sacramento, CWA Local 9421 members and supporters remind AT&T West: we want a fair contract.