Obama to Seidenberg on Union Rights: Can You Hear Me Now?

In a letter to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama urges him “in the strongest terms” to reconsider his decision “not to honor the clear decision of Verizon Business technicians” to join CWA or the IBEW.

Telling Seidenberg that the “hard work and dedicated service” of unionized employees have made his company large and profitable, the Illinois Senator reminded him it’s been nearly six months since a majority of Verizon Business technicians indicated their strong desire to join the company’s 80,000 other union members.

“The next president will sign the Employee Free Choice Act into law, so I encourage you to show leadership by recognizing the unions and entering into negotiations without further delay,” Obama wrote.