Hey Teachers: Support Striking Verizon Workers

One of the reasons the labor movement is in so much trouble is the lack of solidarity. The UFT/AFT sells the "union of professionals" line - as if we're closer to people who actually manage their professions than to other workers. Where do you think you stand in today's deskilling and degrading of teachers?

GEM and possibly other groups are gearing up for some support activities starting tomorrow afternoon at 5 PM. I may try to make it into the city if I can.

Verizon Workers are on Strike!

Teachers, Parents, Students, Community Members

Let’s show our support and join them on the picket line.

Their struggle is our struggle!

 Monday, August 8  5PM

140 West Street, Between Vesey and Barclay St.

Take the #3 to Park Place  or the A,C to Chambers St

Bring signs, banners, and energy!

http://www.cwa-union.org/

  http://usuncut.org/targets/verizon

Company Refuses to Bargain Seriously, Verizon Proposals Would Take Workers Back Decades

Washington, D.C. -- More than 45,000 workers are on strike today at Verizon Communications. Bargaining continues. Since bargaining began on June 22, Verizon has refused to move from a long list of concession demands. As the contract expired, nearly 100 concessionary company proposals remained on the table.

As a result, CWA and IBEW have decided to take the unprecedented step of striking until Verizon stops its Wisconsin-style tactics and starts bargaining seriously.

Even at the 11th hour, as contracts were set to expire, Verizon continued to seek to strip away 50 years of collective bargaining gains for middle class workers and their families.

CWA and IBEW members are prepared to return to work when management demonstrates the willingness to begin bargaining seriously for a fair agreement. If not, CWA and IBEW members and allies will continue the fight.

Verizon financials

• 2011 annualized revenues are $108 billion and annualized net profits are $6 billion.
• Verizon Wireless just paid its parent company and Vodaphone a $10 billion dividend.
• Verizon’s top five executives received compensation of $258 million over the past four years.

The contract covers 45,000 members of CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from New England to Virginia.

Read updates at www.cwa-union.org/verizon