Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
Arbitrator Rules Verizon Unjustly Fired Local 1103 Activist Last Year
Kathy Blair, a Verizon technician and union activist who was unjustly fired for bargaining mobilization activities last year, won her job back along with 20 months of back pay in a recent arbitration ruling.
District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton joined Local 1103 leaders and co-workers of Blair at a welcome-back celebration April 18 at a Verizon garage in Westchester County, N.Y. Shelton praised the local for its handling of the case and its unrelenting moral and financial support of Blair and her family, who also received help from the CWA Member Relief Fund.
Blair, a union steward, had helped organize a rally in August 2003 to protest the training of scab operators in Peekskill, N.Y., on the day CWA's contract with Verizon expired. The next day, a Sunday, she found a note taped to the door of her house telling her she was fired for allegedly kicking a manager.
As the case proceeded to arbitration, CWA presented witnesses and a videotape of the rally to dispute management's claim, and the arbitrator agreed that Verizon couldn't prove there was cause to terminate Blair.
"Kathy's story is a fantastic example that we stand together in contract fights, at every level of CWA, and make sure that no one gets left behind," said Executive Vice President Larry Cohen.
District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton joined Local 1103 leaders and co-workers of Blair at a welcome-back celebration April 18 at a Verizon garage in Westchester County, N.Y. Shelton praised the local for its handling of the case and its unrelenting moral and financial support of Blair and her family, who also received help from the CWA Member Relief Fund.
Blair, a union steward, had helped organize a rally in August 2003 to protest the training of scab operators in Peekskill, N.Y., on the day CWA's contract with Verizon expired. The next day, a Sunday, she found a note taped to the door of her house telling her she was fired for allegedly kicking a manager.
As the case proceeded to arbitration, CWA presented witnesses and a videotape of the rally to dispute management's claim, and the arbitrator agreed that Verizon couldn't prove there was cause to terminate Blair.
"Kathy's story is a fantastic example that we stand together in contract fights, at every level of CWA, and make sure that no one gets left behind," said Executive Vice President Larry Cohen.