News: Verizon Workers Strike on Long Island
(Long Island, N.Y.) Long Island Verizon employees have been protesting to retain their benefits. Reports stated that the company has attempted to eliminate education and medical benefits, causing workers to have to cover all expenses. Some sources claimed that Verizon is also looking to eliminate overtime, prompting workers to chant ‘no contract, no work’ during the recent strike.
Many of the workers have expressed that they have contributed immeasurably to the company and are being treated unfairly. They consider the slashing of benefits as an inappropriate way to increase profits. Sources stated that the employees are only looking to keep their current benefits, and have claimed that such expenses are minuscule during a time when the company prospers.
Other examples of Verizon’s cuts affected the employees’ pensions. For such reasons, many of the strikers claimed that their power lies in their inability to compromise before certain goals are met for workers’ benefits within the company. They claim that they will come together until they get what they deserve.
The recent strike was conducted in an area near the Verizon office. Reports stated that trucks passing the picket line often sounded their horns as they passed in support of the crowd. Sources claimed that the economy as a whole has already been shaken, prompting the company’s middle-aged workers to hang on to their current benefits. Many fear future losses will be made to boost Verizon’s revenue.
The central aspect of the strike is based on a contract that expired and reports stated that it has not yet been renewed. In addition to their demands, the employees have been insisting that the contract be reinstated. Many have been with the company for decades and have felt under-compensated for their caliber of work.
The contract had previously covered over forty-five-thousand Verizon employees who have been loyal workers for the company. Thousands of those affected have been living on Long Island throughout their years with Verizon. Reports stated that the Vice President of Verizon made a statement which hinted toward the establishment of a new contract. The new contract would not include as many employee benefits, citing the economy as a main reason for the changes that are expected to come.
Sources claimed that the strike has displayed no signs of coming to a close and it’s unlikely that a resolution will be reached in the near future. The strike, which does not include employees of Verizon Wireless, will not affect any cell phone services. The contract in question is only focused on telephone employees and repair technicians.
Verizon officials stated that the reason for the changes was to control the costs associated with economic decline in their non-wireless business sectors. Earlier in the week, striking outside of a residence in Westbury was conducted to further help the workers’ cause. Nassau County Police Officers monitored the incident while a dozen workers picketed for their collective goals. Reports stated that a nearby homeowner claimed to have been waiting for over a week for her phone line to be fixed.
