Published: March 19, 2010
CWA Members Vote Strike Authorization at Verizon California, Inc.
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Members of the Communications Workers of America working at Verizon
California voted overwhelmingly to give CWA leaders authorization to
call a strike if a fair contract cannot be reached. If a strike is
called, about 5,500 Verizon workers, almost all of whom work in Southern
California will walk off the job, affecting land line telephone
operations throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
The existing union contract expired on March 13, and employees are now
working under a contract extension. Negotiations are still underway on
behalf of CWA-represented workers, with disagreement over health care
premiums and a proposed mandatory sales commission program that the
union believes would be bad for workers and consumers. Also at issue is
Verizon's transfer of work out of California. In the course of these
negotiations, Verizon sent jobs performed by union members in Oxnard to
Tijuana.
CWA reported that 90 percent of members voted in favor of strike
authorization in balloting conducted by CWA local unions. Voter turnout
was very high.
"The strike authorization vote demonstrates members' solid support for
their bargaining team and their strong determination to achieve a fair
settlement with Verizon," said District Vice President Jim Weitkamp.
"Verizon can well afford to treat its workers fairly."

CWA
Libby Sayre, 916-541-3765
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