2011-08-23

Cross-border picketing with CWA confrères

Ron Carroll, secretary of the Montreal Newspaper Guild, travelled to upstate New York on the weekend of Aug. 6-7 to picket with fellow CWA members.

The 45,000 Verizon employees, represented by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) were on strike to stop the company's attacks on the middle class.

Despite earning record profits — $19 billion in the last four years — Verizon refused to bargain seriously with its employees. In fact, the company's proposals included concessions that would take back about $20,000 a year from its workers.

Support from the community in Malone was strong, with many drivers honking horns in solidarity and donations of pizza, donuts and cold drinks were arriving at the picket line daily.

As a result of the outpouring of support and unity from Verizon workers, local communities, and national and state politicians, Verizon agreed to go back to the bargaining table with the previous contract in force for an indefinite period. Verizon employees were back on the job on Tuesday, Aug. 23.