Telecom News - Labor Board Cites Verizon for Union-Busting

The NLRB has backed CWA charges against Verizon on behalf of Verizon Business workers who are seeking to organize in Pennsylvania and New York. "When this labor board, the most anti-union, pro-business board ever, cracks down on a major corporation like Verizon, it's damning evidence that the pattern of behavior is truly egregious," CWA President Larry Cohen said.

Complaints issued by NLRB regional directors in Pittsburgh and New York found that Verizon management:

• "Threatened employees with layoff for supporting the union."
  
• "Informed employees that Verizon Wireless, a related employer, had laid off employees because of their union activity." 
  
• "Engaged in surveillance of employees to discover their union activities," and made sure to give the impression that they were under surveillance.
  
• Issued disciplinary warnings against union supporters for distributing union materials and authorization cards "while permitting nonunion solicitations and distribution" in the workplace.

The NLRB found that Verizon admitted it had fired Verizon Wireless workers for union activity and used this boast as a threat to frighten the VZB workers. For years Verizon Wireless workers have faced a relentless employer campaign of coercion, surveillance, firings and even closing of entire offices to stamp out their efforts to win collective bargaining rights.

Hearings are scheduled for Oct. 31 in Pittsburgh and Nov. 5 in New York City. To read the complaints visit www.FreeChoiceAtVerizon.com.