This is a quick diary -- but excellent news that I wanted to share immediately!
The Communication Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the unions that represent 45,000 workers who have been on strike against Verizon, announced this afternoon that an agreement has been reached with Verizon to extend their union contract indefinitely and to restructure bargaining in a way that will hopefully lead to real progress at the bargaining table.
This is a HUGE victory for these incredibly courageous workers who stood up to corporate greed and said enough is enough. But it is also a huge victory for workers everywhere. In can't be said enough that Verizon workers stood up for all of us. And we see, once again, that when workers stand up, stand strong and united, and fight back -- they can win. This fight isn't over by any means -- at Verizon or anywhere else workers are under attack. But today I am super inspired and energized!! CWA and IBEW statement under the squiggle.
The following is the statement released at 1P today by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers:
Washington, D.C. – Members of CWA and IBEW at Verizon Communications will return to work on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at which time the contract will be back in force for an indefinite period.
We have reached agreement with Verizon on how bargaining will proceed and how it will be restructured. The major issues remain to be discussed, but overall, issues now are focused and narrowed.
We appreciate the unity of our members and the support of so many in the greater community. Now we will focus on bargaining fairly and moving forward.
CWA and IBEW represent 45,000 workers at Verizon covered by this contract from Virginia to New England.
For Verizon news, go to http://cwa-union.org/....
Thank you Laura Clawson for keeping us all informed about the strike here -- and to all of you who stood by these workers in their fight.