Verizon Strike is Over; Verizon, Unions Agree to Continue Bargaining

From DailyTech: It has been a little over two weeks since 45,000 Verizon wireline workers went on strike, but early Saturday morning, both sides agreed to continue bargaining on certain terms and union workers will now end the strike.

On August 7, 35,000 workers represented by the Communications Workers of America and 10,000 workers represented by The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who all work for Verizon's U.S. Northeast Wireline Unit, went on strike after Verizon decided to cut pensions, change work rules and make employees pay more for health care. Both sides were unable to reach an agreement by the time contracts expired.

Verizon was attempting to keep costs in check, since it has seen a decline in its wireline business over the past decade.

The strike has become problematic in past weeks. For instance, striking union workers turned to vandalism as a way of demonstrating their cause. According to Verizon, demonstrators have shut off the power, used crazy glue to jam fence and service truck locks and blocked entrances in Dover and Newark. In response, Verizon sued Communications Workers of America leaders in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Now, Verizon and union strikers have not reached an agreement regarding new contracts, but have agreed to extend the terms of the old one indefinitely while bargaining continues. The agreement came after Verizon announced that healthcare benefits would expire on August 31 for any union workers still on strike. These workers will go back to work starting tonight for late shifts.

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