Mobilization update: Retirees, Baltimore Ravens and Batman

The new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises,” is being filmed in Pittsburgh near the Verizon office on 7^th Avenue, forcing the pickets to scatter when the filming is going on. But the film directors have told members of Local 13500 that the all-union crews strongly support the union fight against Verizon. They’re working with the picketers to make sure they know the schedule and can coordinate activity in front of the Verizon office. Strikers are trying to work out an arrangement where Batman can swoop in a save the day. Stay tuned.

Members of Local 13500 and 13000 will be on hand in big numbers Thursday for a rally outside Sen. Patrick Toomey’s office, and then will cross the bridge to 7^th Avenue and get ready to leaflet the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, the biggest draw in the state.

Maryland locals are planning to leaflet the Baltimore Ravens-Kansas City Chiefs game on Friday, with members of 2100, 2101, 2106, 2107 and 2108 all set to work the corridor between Camden Yards and Ravens Stadium, since organizers have been told they will not be allowed to leaflet at the gates of the stadium. Several season-ticket holders will be working inside the stadium, however. A word to the wise: Don’t wear Red to the Ravens’ leafleting event. That’s the Chiefs’ colors.

Hundreds of CWA members are descending on Verizon Wireless stores all across the East Coast, drawing interesting conversations and some support from store customers and from passersby.   Local 2202 reports lots of honking and waving at the busy intersection on Military Highway in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, where about 50 local members spend their mornings leafleting at a VZW store.

Members leafleting the VZW stores also report that police are being called continually by store management, but that they often just show up, review the rules with the picketers, and then leave.  In southwestern Virginia, Local 2204 reports they are picketing some 12 stores each day for 4-5 hours – from Salem to Staunton to Abingdon. A major rally is planned in Roanoke on Friday featuring political supporters, followed by informational picketing at the biggest Verizon Wireless store in town.

Retirees are becoming more active in the strike campaign, particularly since Verizon began sending letters threatening the suspension of benefits. Local 2205 in Newport News, Va., said many retirees are putting picket signs on the car windows, parking at the Verizon Wireless parking lot, and then having leisurely breakfast or lunch at a nearby restaurant. A major rally Monday in Newport News will include some 150 retired managers who are jumping on the bandwagon.