“In cities like Philadelphia and New York, Verizon has failed to meet the buildout obligations under their citywide cable franchise agreements”, the unions said. As such the CWA has issued an announcement saying they’re setting a hard strike deadline of 6am Wednesday, April 13.
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Among the 39,000 Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers-represented employees from MA to Virginia affected would be workers on the telco’s Fios TV video service, as well as telephone and broadband services.
“A strike is a last resort but Verizon has forced us there”. Moreover, the unions argue that the company is also not willing to negotiate an increase in wages or other benefits, which includes better working conditions.
The two sides have been unable to settle contract discussions on topics such as job security, employee transfer and the cost of health benefits.
“We’ve tried to work with union leaders to reach a deal”, said Marc Reed, Verizon’s chief administrative officer”. “We have to take a stand now for our families and every American worker”.
Verizon CWA union members walk a picket line during a 2011 strike. According to the unions, Verizon wants to “gut job security protections, contract out more work, offshore jobs to Mexico, the Philippines and other locations, and require technicians to work away from home for as long as two months without seeing their families”. The company said that, in the event of a strike, it is prepared to continue business operations and keep serving customers.
The unions accuse the company of dragging its feet on promises to build out its high-speed FIOS network and say they are increasingly using non-employee technicians to fix facilities. However, the union is threatening with strikes than engage themselves at the bargaining table. “While we recognize that changes in technology and customer preference have led to a decline in landline service, driving the need for some contract changes, we also want to be sure that Verizon preserves good, family-supporting jobs in our region”.
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The unions claim they have agreed to compromises with their healthcare plans that could save the company hundreds of millions of dollars.
