The Verizon fight is our fight

ACROSS THE Northeast, Verizon workers--members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)--organized lively picket lines in the run-up to the announcement that the union and company would restart negotiations, with strikers returning to work.

The actions drew draw attention to a multibillion-dollar company trying to squeeze even more from its workers--and to the determination workers to fight back.

In New York City, at the picket line at 13th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, Chris Bullick, a transit worker and a Transport Workers Union member from Queens, explained why he was there to support Verizon workers. "When we went on strike five years ago," Bullick said, "we had the support of New York, even though we shut down New York. We've worked three years without a contract, but they're not working at all. They got to pay bills, people have mortgages--it's personal for me.

"I come from an area of Queens where foreclosures are through the roof, up to five on one block," Bullick said. "Things will get even worse if the CWA loses this strike. Right now, they're trying to segregate the unions, keep them separate and weak. We're busy fighting for our own contract."

Picket captain David Boone of CWA Local 1105 said:

Back in 2007, Obama said he'd walk the picket line with workers standing up for their rights. I want to ask him: "Are you going to put your money where your mouth is? Are you ready to walk the walk and support us like the unions supported you in 2008?"

I was born on the picket line in 1971. When my Mom had me she was on strike against New York Tel. We've got to keep our jobs here. I'm not just doing this for my Mom and for myself, but for future generations.

We've had to organize for what we have. For example, OSHA was won because of struggle, not because they cared about workers' safety all of a sudden. We have to stand up for everyone. This is about more than just Verizon workers.

SUPPORT FOR strikers could be seen even in cities where workers weren't on strike.

In Burlington, Vt., where Verizon no longer provides landline service, supporters organized informational pickets at Verizon Wireless stores to put pressure on the company to meet workers' demands. A "Support Verizon Strikers-Vermont" Facebook page got more than 100 friends in less than a day, and about 30 people turned out to picket a Verizon Wireless store on August 10.

Chants included, "Hey, Verizon, can you hear us now? Burlington is a union town!" The picket brought activists from the Vermont Worker's Center, several local CWA members who aren't on strike in Vermont, the International Socialist Organization (ISO) and community members who wanted to support the strikers.

Mike O'Day of the CWA said, "This many labor and civil organizations and activists out in solidarity is unprecedented." Many were drawing the connections drawn between the explosion in Wisconsin earlier this year and the struggle of the CWA workers.

Protesters handed out leaflets titled "Don't shop at Verizon" that explained the reasons for the strike and picket. Picketers were consistently met with fist pumps, thumbs up and honks from drivers in cars passing by. Customer traffic into the store went way down during the picket.

The rally ended with some words from the event organizers. "The fight of the Verizon workers is very much our fight," said Nancy Welch of United Academics. "Verizon's attack is no different then what UVM is doing to its workers. We will keep this going as long as they need our support. "

Three days later, 24 activists turned out again at the Verizon Wireless store in the Staples Shopping Center in South Burlington. A highlight of the picket was chanting, "No more bosses' tricks and lies. Give our children better lives!"

Across the country, in Portland, Ore., strike supporters organized informational pickets outside Verizon's downtown location on August 10. The action, which was attended by about 30 people, was organized by Portland Jobs with Justice (JwJ).

Other unions and organizations that came out included the AFL-CIO, CWA, IBEW, SEIU, Letter Carriers, UNITE HERE, GCIU (Teamsters) and the ISO. Also present were lots of people not affiliated with any particular group, but who said they came out just because they were angry at corporate greed.

Margaret Butler, executive director at JwJ and a member of CWA Local 7910 said the recent development across the East Coast is exciting because it's the first time since corporations recently increased the viciousness of their attack on labor that there's been a fightback in the private sector.

"This is a highly profitable company," said Butler. "This isn't about a 'disagreement' [over details in the contract]; it's about squeezing out more and more profits from the workers."

With chants of "Verizon, can you hear us now? This strike will shut you down!" and "Hey hey! Ho ho! Union-busting's got to go!" protesters circled the sidewalk at the entrance of the store, handing out literature and talking to passersby as well as customers entering and exiting the store.

Madelyn Elder, president of CWA Local 7901, explained why it's important for people, even on the other side of the country, to support the strike. "If they lose--lose their benefits and their current working conditions--then it's just going to get worse for everybody and bring down the standard of living for everyone," Elder said. "That's why this is such an important fight."