Verizon unions mull making call to strike

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2008_07_09_Verizon_unions_mull_making_call_to_strike/

By Jay Fitzgerald
Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Tens of thousands of Verizon workers are now casting votes for a possible summer strike as management and two unions brace for what could be the largest labor showdown in the Northeast in five years.

About 70,000 members of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are expected to approve authorization for a strike when votes are finally counted later this month.

The two unions, which represent about 12,000 workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, then intend to use that strike threat as pressure against Verizon as negotiators try to hammer out a new agreement before the current five-year deal expires Aug. 2.

“It’s really a way to send a message to the company,” said Rand Wilson, a spokesman for CWA and the IBEW.

A spokesman for Verizon would only say the giant telecom company hopes an agreement can be reached before the current contract expires.

FULL story at link.