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Locals Turn Up the Heat on Verizon Wireless

The campaign to help bring representation to Verizon Wireless workers continued in force over the holiday season, with members from CWA Districts 1, 2, 4, 6 and 13 leafleting customers, talking with employees and even paying a holiday visit to Verizon Wireless CEO Dennis Strigl.

In Boston, members of CWA Local 1400 and IBEW Local 2222 serenaded workers with carols at the company's Downtown Crossing store. Representative Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and former Michigan Congressman David Bonior, head of American Rights at Work, turned out to meet fired Verizon worker LaVerne Conley and show support for the campaign.

Local 1400 also rallied in Burlington, Vt., where Representative Bernie Sanders, an Independent, told participants, "There's a war being waged by corporate America against working people, and we've got to stop that."

At CWA's urging, Sanders became the first member of Congress to sign a letter to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg detailing the wireless company's union-busting practices over the past decade. The letter seeks a face-to-face meeting between the CEO and the congressman to discuss restoring card check and neutrality throughout the company. CWA and IBEW activists are seeking more letters of support from federal, state and local leaders.

Among the holiday activities:

In Princeton, N.J., members paid a visit to the home of Verizon Wireless CEO Strigl, interrupting a dinner party with the sound of their protest. Members of Locals 1022, 1023, 1034 and 1040 took part.

Dubbed "Ivan's double," the "Grinch who hates unions" turned up on Staten Island with CWA Local 1102 members.

Musicians' Local 802 members in New York City, joined by CWA Local 1101 and 1105 members, smashed cell phones on the sidewalk to call attention to the wireless workers' plight. Local 1103 has pledged to keep up actions at Port Chester, N.Y., area stores until the workers have a union voice.

Local 1107 and 1108 members spent time in New York state Verizon Wireless stores getting customers to make on-the-spot calls to Seidenberg, (212) 395-1062, demanding justice for workers.

Local 1023 recruited about 100 customers to carry campaign fliers into a Verizon Wireless store in Woodbridge, N.J.

In New Haven, Conn., Conley talked to the AFL-CIO's Organizing Institute about her firing. The audience later joined about 50 members of CWA Local 1298 in a show of support that included releasing balloons inside a Verizon Wireless store.

Local 2336 members and CWA headquarters staff passed out hundreds of fliers at a Verizon Wireless store in Washington, D.C. In all, 10 District 2 locals got involved in the campaign, including members in Chesapeake, Richmond, Newport News and Virginia Beach, Va.

In District 13, Local 13000 members leafleted at 14 stores and Local 13500 members covered 23 stores.

District 4 locals representing Verizon, SBC, Cingular and AT&T workers also held actions, drawing members of Local 4202, Chicago; 4671, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 4773, northern Indiana; 4050, Southfield, Mich., and 4371, Marion, Ohio.

The holiday enthusiasm has spilled over to the new year as workers continue to plan actions to fight for union recognition. "This campaign will continue until there is justice for Verizon Wireless workers," CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen said.