Verizon Strikers Plan Protest at NY Procurement Council Meeting
Dozens of Verizon union workers plan to protest Wednesday outside a quarterly meeting of the New York State Procurement Council, the Communications Workers of America said Tuesday. As the strike enters its fourth week (see 1605050047), union protesters will urge…
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council members not to grant any new contracts to Verizon during the strike, CWA said. The council issues guidelines and recommendations on public contracts; members include the state comptroller and the director of budget. New York has $311 million in existing contracts with Verizon, CWA said. “Taxpayers should not fund Verizon contracts during the strike since the company cannot deliver proper service,” CWA said. “Its experienced workforce has been replaced with inexperienced, poorly-trained replacement workers and managers who cannot properly service and maintain Verizon’s networks.” A Verizon spokesman responded: “Union leaders like [CWA President] Chris Shelton are too shortsighted to realize that when revenues decline because of adverse union involvement or activities, these actions potentially lead to reduced revenues and a smaller workforce.” New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli voiced concerns about the strike in an April 21 letter to Verizon Chairman Lowell McAdam. “I am concerned that this impasse, coupled with the negative media attention that resulted in 2011 from tense contract negotiations between CWA and Verizon, may create a risk that Verizon will be perceived as ‘anti-labor,’” he wrote. “A protracted workforce strike of this magnitude would undoubtedly affect the morale and productivity of Verizon’s employees. I am concerned that a disenfranchised workforce and the associated negative publicity may ultimately impact Verizon’s profitability.” The Wednesday protest is scheduled for 11 a.m. outside Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6, in Albany.