Verizon's Network, Service Performing Well; Company Overcomes at Least 12 Cases of Sabotage to Communications Facilities
Trained Management Employees Step In to Provide Service as Unions Continue Strike Against Company's Wireline Operations in Mid-Atlantic, Northeast
NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon customers are noticing only minimal impact from the strike by 45,000 of the company's wireline employees represented by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Verizon has repaired at least 12 acts of sabotage to its communications facilities in four states, starting Saturday (Aug. 6) and continuing after the strike began on Sunday (Aug. 7). Additionally, some pickets have unlawfully blocked Verizon managers' access to numerous company work centers and garages.
The strike involves union-represented Verizon wireline employees in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. Verizon Wireless is not part of this strike, and its customers are not affected by it.
"Our contingency plan is in full effect, and our management employees are stepping in to cover our workload," said Bob Mudge, Verizon president of consumer and mass markets. "We are committed to delivering excellent customer service, and that's exactly what we plan to do."
Verizon's management team is trained in various functions, including network repairs, customer service and billing, back office support and other critical duties.
The team completed more than 75 percent of repair commitments on Sunday, and with even more managers working on customer issues today, Verizon expects the ramp-up to continue.
Customers may encounter slightly longer hold times when calling Verizon's sales and service centers and slightly longer waits for repair service during this time. Customers with billing, service or other questions can seek assistance at www.verizon.com.
Company Deals With Acts of Sabotage, Illegal Picketing
The criminal incidents of sabotage have affected phone, Internet and TV service in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.
The acts of sabotage include:
- Ten incidents of fiber-optic lines being deliberately cut in the Bronx, Pomona, Farmingdale and Guilderland in New York; two separate incidents in Tewksbury in Massachusetts; incidents in Bel Air in Maryland, and East Dover, Oakland and Plainfield in New Jersey.
- An outage due to stolen electronic equipment in Cedar Grove, N.J., affecting a local police department, among other customers.
- An incident due to tampering with a heating system at a central office in Manhattan.
"These acts of sabotage are reprehensible," said Verizon Chief Security Officer Mike Mason. "In addition to inconveniencing our customers, these deliberate disruptions of our network have affected hospitals, paramedics, fire fighters, law enforcement and other first responders. Verizon is working closely with local authorities to investigate these sabotage incidents, and identify and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. And we will not hesitate to terminate any employee who may be involved in these acts.
"In addition, there have been circumstances where union picketers are showing contempt for our customers by illegally preventing us from accessing the tools we need to serve them," said Mason. "We are taking legal action to end this unlawful activity."
Verizon has obtained a statewide injunction against illegal picketing activities in Pennsylvania, and is pursuing similar action elsewhere.
The company is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals that intentionally damage Verizon cables or facilities or cause or attempt to cause physical injury to any Verizon employee or contractor. Verizon urges anyone who witnesses sabotage of Verizon property or any suspicious activity to call 911 immediately, then call the Verizon Security Control Center at 1-800-997-3287.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 106 million total connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by email, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.
SOURCE Verizon
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