News

Now in its fifth week, one of the biggest strikes in the US in recent years remains strong and determined in the fight to protect decent jobs at Verizon.

Almost 40,000 CWA and IBEW members staged hundreds of protests across the United States on May 5, as the company held its shareholders meeting in Albuqurque, New Mexico.  300,000 petitions were presented to Verizon at the shareholders meeting and protests took place outside the meeting. Protests also took place in more than 17 communities across the US.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “UNI Global Union stands with Verizon workers in their fight for decent jobs and decent pay. These workers and their families deserve a life and not to be constantly living at the whim of Verizon.”

Alan Tate, Head of UNI ICTS, said: "We will do anything we can to help these workers protect decent jobs and the right to make a decent living." 

Workers insisted that they were fighting  for ‘a better Verizon that invests in communities’ as well as to  protect decent jobs and working conditions.

The CWA argues that the company continues to offshore jobs to low-wage countries, putting short term profits and executive compensation ahead of decent jobs for workers and communities.

During the strike Verizon has been shifting customer service calls to the Philippines, causing massive disruptions to service and angering customers. CWA, with the help of UNI and UNI Apro has sent a delegation of striking workers to the Philippines to protest the struck work and talk to the Philippino workers being forced to handle the transferred calls.

To support striking workers at Verizon, please sign the petition here.