Oregon Governor to Verizon: Respect Your Workers' Rights

When state governments shop for companies to do business with, they have the responsibility to choose those that respect workers' rights and "treat their workers fairly and with dignity" Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski told Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg in a letter urging him to respect his employees' right to organize.

"I am supportive of companies that adopt a worker-friendly posture as they tend to enjoy a relationship that benefits both management and employees," Kulongoski wrote. "Employees, if they choose should have a contract that includes greater potential for job growth, a fair grievance procedure, enhanced job security and scheduled wage progression and annual increases."

The Jan. 4 letter didn't specifically cite the Verizon Wireless or Verizon Business campaigns in which the company has refused to recognize unions despite having a majority of workers in many locations sign cards seeking representation. However, Kulongoski's message was clear.

"I have long believed that the right to form and join a union is something that we must protect for everyone," he wrote. "As your employees look to the future, I encourage you to work with them and respect your workers' right to organize. I believe such a stance is in the best interest of all of Oregon's working men and women."