Verizon and Unions Reach Tentative Agreement, End Strike

[louis c]

As an IBEW member I congratulate my courageous brothers and sisters who took on a big corporation and won.

As a union member, I would like to thank both of our Democratic candidates who walked the picket lines and spoke in favor of the working men and women at Verizon.

I would also like to take this opportunity to condemn the piece of shit scabs who came from outside the region to perform union work. Go back home knowing that you're defiled in the minds of working people.

"Solidarity forever, solidarity forever, solidarity forever, for the union makes us strong"

Pact ends Verizon’s U.S. strike (Boston Herald)

Both sides praise deal

Jordan Graham, Erica Moura Saturday, May 28, 2016


‘IT’S OVER!’ Verizon workers react to news that their union and Verizon have come to an agreement, ending the national strike. Both sides have praised the pact, which still needs to be ratified by each union local.

Verizon workers are set to 
return to work next week now that the nationwide strike has come to an end 
after the telecom company and unions reached an initial agreement.

“The only way to take on a big corporation is to affect their business,” said Andrew Skinner, a 15-year technician for Verizon who has been picketing.

“I felt very rudderless, but I knew I was on the right side of this. So I stayed with it.”

Outside a Verizon Wireless store in Downtown Crossing yesterday, strikers cheered and applauded after an official from the union called to say a deal in principle had been agreed upon between the union and Verizon.

Bob Shine rushed the line 
exclaiming “It’s over!”

The picketers immediately broke their line, thanked the workers at the store for putting up with them, cleaned up the Dunkin’ Donuts box of coffee and water bottles, and left the area in a span of 10 minutes.

Details of the four-year contract were not made public, but the pact was praised by both sides.

“The agreement is consistent with our objective of creating high quality American jobs and achieving meaningful changes and enhancements to the contracts that will better enable our wireline business unit to compete and succeed in the digital world,” said Marc Reed, chief administrative officer for Verizon.

The two unions that had been striking also applauded the deal.

“The agreement in principle at Verizon is a victory for working families across the country and an affirmation of the power of working people,” said Chris Shelton, president of the Communications Workers of America.

“This proves that when we stand together we can raise up working families, improve our communities and protect the American middle class.”

The strike lasted more than a month.

A U.S. district judge declined to rule on a motion from the National Labor Relations Board that would have banned picketing outside motels housing replacement workers, saying she will wait until next week.

Strikers have been accused of trying to pressure motels into refusing to do business with 
Verizon and allegedly blocked the vehicles of an elderly couple and a minivan with children inside.

Lawyers in federal court in Boston yesterday said both sides are expected to withdraw all pending litigation based on the strike.

The contract still needs to be ratified by each union local.

[TexasProgresive]

1. Good for the workers.

I was only in one strike here in Texas at GTESW. We were out 26 days. When We went back to work we worked hundreds of forced overtime hours to get things working correctly again. There was so much damage down by incompetent management doing our jobs. I imagine it is going to be worse with scab labor on top of that.

[teamster633]

2. Congratulations brothers and sisters.

Good labor news is far too infrequent.

[PoliticAverse]

3. Excellent. n/t

[forthemiddle]

4. I have a relative that was a replacement worker

They weren't "scabs" because they are not part of the union!
I know it burns that they did your job for a month, but had they not they would have been fired.
They don't have union protections. They are honest men and women trying like hell to support their families in the only way possible.
Many of them, including my relative, were cheering you on, but they needed to keep their jobs.

What you would have had them do it lose their jobs, yet you, as a union worker knew that eventually you would have yours back?

Think about it, it was a hardship for all concerned for the past 6 weeks. Those replacement workers have had ONE weekend home!!!!!!
They live across the country, so a huge majority of that time off was spent in the airport.

Although I am thrilled for you, don't demonize the NON UNION workers that were forced to leave their families so you could have your strike.

They have no choice to join the union, so please don't demonize them! But congrats on getting back to work!

[louis c]

5. A replacement worker is a SCAB

Not just union workers who cross picket lines for work, but you should look up the definition. Your relative is a "SCAB".

Here is how Jack London, an early 20th century author describes your relative and every other replacement worker scab:

The Scab
by Jack London,(1876-1916)



After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, and the vampire, he had some awful substance left with which he made a scab.

A scab is a two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul, a water brain, a combination backbone of jelly and glue.

Where others have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles.

When a scab comes down the street, men turn their backs and angels weep in heaven, and the devil shuts the gates of hell to keep him out.

Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.

Judas sold his Savior for thirty pieces of silver.

Benedict Arnold sold his country for a promise of a commission in the British army.

The scab sells his birthright, country, his wife, his children and his fellowmen for an unfulfilled promise from his employer.

Esau was a traitor to himself; Judas was a traitor to his God; Benedict Arnold was a traitor to his country.

A scab is a traitor to his God, his country, his family and his class.

Author --- Jack London (1876-1916)

[mdbl]

6. They are scabs

They were instrumental in the company's efforts to cheapen the work force and disrespect the workers. They deserve to be villified. People died for these rights in the past and they spit on them.

[forthemiddle]

8. Thats fine

I will not dispute that, but today when we are all trying to hold on to good jobs, you would have a 50 plus year old man give up his good paying, benefit supporting job so you can strike for one month?????

You are asking for things from others that you are not willing to do.
Again they are not in union jobs!!!! It would be a career killer for him, and he would never recover. The union workers knew eventually their job would be waiting for them!

In todays economy that is the death blow. How many others (be 100% honest) would do it, when there is no benefit whatsoever for them?

Would he even be eligible for unemployement, or should he, and his family just live out the rest of his life (again hes over 50) on his retirement benefits?

[louis c]

11. NO Balls is No Excuse

Last edited Sat May 28, 2016, 03:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Many workers risked a lot to be unionized. I represent 35 contracts in the Greater Boston area. Maintenance people who make from $60,000 a year to $80,000, in most cases. A few (Reading Power and Light Electrical Engineers) make as much as $150,000 a year. All with great benefits. Some with 100% health and dental.

not one of them would have achieved that without a union. All of them needed to be organized and took that risk. Now, all of them are providing their families with a great life.

To advance in this world, you need brains, courage and determination. The weak and cowards live their lives at the mercy of their employers.

Tell your relative to contact the local union that represents his trade and to speak to his co-workers about organizing. That's his right. If he doesn't have the brains, the courage or the determination to better his life but if he won't do that, but is willing to pick up stakes, at great risk, to travel across the country to steal a unionized worker's job for 6 weeks then he's a moron.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. Thank you for speaking up

[louis c]

13. that's Scott Walker's Opinion

Do you agree with him, too?

[JustAnotherGen]

15. The Company is only as good as its last paycheck

[Brickbat]

14. Nope, they're scabs.

[B Calm]

16. You have a scab in the family.

[MichMan]

7. Moved to nother carrier

Myself and several of my friends dropped Verizon and moved to other carriers in support of the strikers. Now we can't return until our contracts expire. I switched to AT&T

Looks like even though the strike was settled, Verizon lost a customer anyway. Wonder how many others did the same?

[louis c]

9. AT&T is a union carrier and gives union member discounts

Last edited Sat May 28, 2016, 08:57 AM - Edit history (1)

Verizon wireless remains non-union, even though their land lines are union.

I have AT&T wireless and my home phone is Verizon.

[monmouth4]

10. My son is a happy camper. Thank goodness it's over....n/t