Lawmakers Lean on Seidenberg for Recognition

Several members of the House and Senate have written to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg, asking that he accept a cardcheck majority and recognize the right of hundreds of workers at Verizon Business to union representation. CWA organizers report that more than half of VZB technicians have signed union authorization forms in several locations.

"These workers will soon be requesting that Verizon recognize CWA-IBEW based on a neutral third party's verification that a majority of the technicians have signed union authorization cards," Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on behalf of those VZB workers in the Northeast.

In their Feb. 22 letter, they pointed out that they are among the original sponsors of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make cardcheck recognition the law of the land, and that the legislation "has now been endorsed by a majority of the members of our new Congress."

"It is our sincere hope that you will work with your valued employees and respect their decision to unionize and facilitate prompt negotiations on a first contract," they wrote.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) earlier wrote a similar letter.

On Feb. 23, New Jersey Reps. Steven Rothman, Donald Payne, Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell Jr., Albio Sires and Rob Andrews also wrote Seidenberg, supporting the cardcheck campaign at VZB and the Employee Free Choice Act.

"We believe (recognition) is in the best interest of the company, its employees and the public," they wrote.

The congressional letters came in response to visits from VZB workers and CWA and IBEW activists. More than 3,000 shop stewards have signed a statement of support for the workers. CWA Districts 1 and 13 have strongly supported their campaign.