New Mediation Deadline Set for Wednesday

Politicians press Verizon for a resolution

Since July 25, representatives from CWA, IBEW, and Verizon have met with federal mediators behind closed doors in Washington, DC, in an attempt to resolve contract negotiations going on for more than a year. Last week, mediators pushed the deadline for a resolution to tomorrow.

A wave of support for workers has flooded Verizon corporate offices. Thirty-nine New York City Council members urged Verizon to enter into a fair and just contract. At the same time, 22 New York State Senators and 54 State Assembly Members signed a letter urging the company to invest in a bright economic future by creating good jobs and treating workers fairly. Led by James F. Brennan and Keith L. White, the politicians declared, “We believe that workers—and not just high-level executives—must share in a company's success.”

The union bargaining teams continue to work long hours to hammer out a fair deal. At the same time, preparations are underway to strike if Verizon's intransigence makes that necessary. Some workers have already received their strike assignments.