Union Sets New Deadline in Verizon Talks

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Union Sets New Deadline in Verizon Talks

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Posted: 2:26 PM Aug 8, 2008
Last Updated: 2:26 PM Aug 8, 2008
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff & Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

6 comments

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ)--Union workers at Verizon may be off the job on Monday.

Friday afternoon workers held an informational picket outside Verizon headquarters in Charleston

Now, the 2 unions representing 65,000 workers at Verizon Communications Inc. are setting a 11:59 Sunday night deadline for contract talks.

Last weekend, the union agreed to continue with negotiations this week.

The phone company's contract with the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers expired last weekend.

Their members have been working under the old contract while negotiations have continued this week, but the unions are stepping up the pressure by setting the Sunday midnight deadline.

The unions say progress in the talks has been "slow" on important issues like job security and health care.

Verizon spokesman Peter Thonis said the company was "very surprised" by the deadline.

The union members work at Verizon's landline side in Virginia, West Virginia and several other states.

Keep clickong on WSAZ.COM for the latest information.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Jeff on Aug 9, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Bring in some scabs. That'll show em.

Posted by: Sandy on Aug 9, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Unions workers sometimes have to strike or the company will run over them. The workers deserve a share of the profits they have made for the company. After all, I'm sure Verizon's CEO makes more money than he'll every need and gets huge raises. These union people and their families live, work, and pay taxes in our communities. We need to support them, not offer to take their jobs if they are forced to go on strike to keep what they have worked for!

Posted by: Denise on Aug 9, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Dear John, first, the union members, not the elected union leaders (you incorrectly used a company term "bosses"), authorize a strike. Second, thanks to the Bush administration and greedy corporations, it is true the economy is down and people are out of work. Verizon is NOT a company that is suffering in this poor economy. The success at Verizon is due to the workers, the union workers, they have built this company, they deserve to share in it's profits and it's success. Third, the correct term for people willing to be "hired" by Verizon or any company and work during a strike are called "SCABS". SCABS are stupid pitiful lowlifes that enable greedy corporate bosses and politicians to get rich(er) on the backs of the American workers. Judging from your comments, I would think that you are either an out of work SCAB or a WAL-MART supervisor.

Posted by: unknown on Aug 9, 2008 at 01:15 PM
I am not a Verizon worker, but they are just standing up for what they are promised. The economy is not doing good your right there but that is not their fault. Maybe if people would realize if they lose their jobs, other Americans don't get them it is people from another country. So people who don't want to stand behind Verizon don't need to complain when they call Verizon and they get someone who barely speaks fluent English.

Posted by: John on Aug 8, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Great economy to strike in. You union bosses sure are smart. Lots of people out of work, and you guys want to srike. If I were Verizon I would hire people who want to work and let you guys starve. Never strike in a down economy.

Posted by: union brother on Aug 8, 2008 at 04:29 PM
strike! strike! strike! people you will never get what you deserve and need unless you show how serious you are ! ! !

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