Solidarity with Verizon workers

Philadelphia WW photo: Joseph Piette

March 22 was a day of coordinated solidarity actions in scores of cities coast to coast in support of a decent contract and justice for Verizon workers.

In Philadelphia, hundreds of Communication Workers Local 13000 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members and their supporters picketed outside Verizon headquarters. In addition to speeches from the union leadership to stand strong in the struggle for a decent contract from the $100 billion corporation, the diverse crowd heard a strong appeal for union solidarity from Pete Matthews, president of American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Local 33. That union has been fighting for a new contract from the city administration for more than three years.

Boston WW photo: Steve Kirschbaum

In Boston, hundreds of unionists and their supporters took to the streets, marching under the slogans “Fight for good jobs, stand up to corporate greed” and “Join the 99% spring kickoff.” Organized by IBEW Local 2222 Verizon workers, the protest brought out a broad coalition of the city’s unions and community activists, including CWA at Verizon, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Greater Boston Labor Council, American Postal Workers Union, Service Employees, UNITE HERE Local 26, Boston Teachers Union, Boston School Bus Union (Steelworkers Local 8751), Jobs with Justice, Boston Firefighters Local 718 and scores of others.

The major thrust of the day’s actions was the demand for a just contract for Verizon workers who are continuing to fight against massive cutbacks and concessions by this greedy 1% corporate giant. Myles Calvey, leader of IBEW 2222, stated: “We need a revolution against the corporate greed of the 1%. Verizon has made tens of billions in profits and its top executives walked away with $283 million in the last four years. But when it comes to the 45,000 workers who make Verizon’s success possible, suddenly the company cries broke.”

John Colleran, IBEW 2222 leader and labor veteran of 18 years, spoke as one of the 40 workers unjustly fired by Verizon based on false anti-union charges stemming from the August 2011 strike. He and the union are determined to continue the battle until all fired workers are reinstated. Many Occupy Boston activists stressed that the struggle against Verizon represents a vital battle in the war against the attacks of the 1%. IBEW 2222 leaders pledged their continued support and solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.

— Report by Joe Piette in Philadelphia & Steve Kirschbaum in Boston