CWA and IBEW leaders call strike against Verizon and its customers

NEW YORK, April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite Verizon's good faith efforts to get to new labor contracts, CWA and IBEW leaders, unwilling to make an agreement or even seek the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), have called a strike as of 6 a.m. today.  Verizon has activated its business continuity plans as customer service remains the company's top priority.

For the past 10 months, Verizon has tried to reach agreements for the Company's 36,000 wireline associates in the East.  While the company has on the table proposed wage increases, continued retirement benefits (including a generous 401(k) match) and excellent healthcare benefits, union leaders decided to call a strike rather than sit down and work on the issues that need to be resolved.  

"It's regrettable that union leaders have called a strike, a move that hurts all of our employees," said Marc Reed, Verizon's chief administrative officer.  "Since last June, we've worked diligently to try and reach agreements that would be good for our employees, good for our customers and make the wireline business more successful now and in the future.  Unfortunately, union leaders have their own agenda rooted in the past and are ignoring today's digital realities.  Calling a strike benefits no one, and brings us no closer to resolution."

Reed added:  "The CWA president, Chris Shelton, claims that they have tried "everything" to get a path to a contract, but their failure to agree to FMCS mediation suggests otherwise."

Monday evening, FMCS asked if the company would be willing to participate in mediation if the unions extended their previously announced strike deadline.  The company indicated that it was willing to mediate.  In 2012, agreements between Verizon and these unions were ultimately achieved through mediation conducted under the auspices of FMCS.  This time, however, union leaders refused to participate in FMCS mediation and instead called a strike.

As part of the company's business continuity plans, starting immediately, trained non-union employees will cover for striking workers and provide customers with the support and assistance they need and expect.

Over the past year, Verizon took extensive measures to ensure its customers would be minimally impacted by any potential work stoppage.  Thousands of non-union Verizon employees and business partners have undergone extensive training in various network and customer service functions, including FiOS and copper repair and network maintenance and general customer service functions.

"Millions of Americans rely on Verizon for the ability to communicate, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," said Bob Mudge, president of Verizon's wireline network operations.   "We remain fully prepared to handle any work stoppage so that our products and services will be available where and when our customers need them."

With new customer service technologies, many residential and business customers can troubleshoot and often resolve many basic phone, Internet and TV service issues using Verizon's online support tools at www.verizon.com.  Employees are also available to handle inquiries at 1-800-VERIZON1-800-VERIZON FREE. 

Mudge added:  "Our customers are our first priority and we are ready to respond."

For additional information on the negotiations, go to www.verizon.com/laborfacts.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) employs a diverse workforce of 177,700 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail connections nationwide. Headquartered in New York, the company also provides communications and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.

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Media contact: 
Rich Young
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[email protected]

SOURCE Verizon

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