Verizon Bargaining Update, 4:30 pm Saturday, Aug. 9

The unions and the company continue marathon bargaining in an attempt to bring the contract in before the bargaining deadline of 12:01 am, Monday, Aug. 11.

While there still are important issues on the table, setting the deadline has moved the pace into turbo drive. Verizon fully understands the power that our union members have poised to exercise if progress slows or stops.

We are very proud of the unity and commitment of our members' mobilization which has driven this round of bargaining. Our years of developing mobilization strategies have added a powerful tool to our arsenal, giving us effective alternatives to a strike.

With only hours until the deadline, we must continue this high level of mobilization. It will be a crowning achievement to bring in a good contract without a single member having lost one days' pay. Every member who participated in this effort will have a reason to be proud.

It remains critical that we are prepared to launch a strike on very short notice. It is still our ultimate weapon and the deadline is very real.