45,000 Verizon workers are on strike and they need your support!

by | Aug 8, 2011 | Campaigns, Verizon Solidarity

rnVerizon has 2011 annualized revenues of $108 billion and annualized net profits are $6 billion but yet they are demanding almost 100 concessions from their employees. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has joined with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in a strike to show Verizon that they will not give back everything they have fought so hard for. The concessions which they are proposing on Verizon employees will take away nearly 50 years of bargaining. Verizon’s top five executives received compensation of $258 million over the past four years but yet they are trying to deprive their workers of basic health benefits. DC Jobs with Justice is standing by CWA locals in the D.C metro area and asking you to get involved. rnHere’s what you can do: rn1) Join noon-time actions at Verizon Wireless stores: rn*Tuesday, Aug. 9th at 1314 F St NW rn*Weds, Aug. 10th at 1744 L St. NWrnrnPickets will run from noon to 1pm. Wear red! Keep checking our website for updated actions. rnrn2) Stop by worker picket lines at the following locations: rn980 V St. NE, Washingtonrn 935 V St. NE, Washingtonrn 2600 Barry Road SE, Washingtonrn 13101 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MDrnPicketing will be all day beginning at 7am. You can join members in walking the picket line, stop by to offer a snack or words of support, or Help in getting the word out on facebook or your blogs. rn3) Sign the petition to Verizon and make sure all your friends do...

Advisory: DC Residents Rally City to Hold Verizon to Account.

by | May 12, 2008 | Campaigns, Press, Verizon Solidarity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASErnrnMay 12, 2008rnrnCONTACT: Ruth Castel-Branco, DC Jobs with Justice. 202.974.8281.rnrnAdvisory: DC Residents Rally City to Hold Verizon to Account.rn rnWHO: Workers, community members and advocates.rnWHAT: Rally—Put the “Public” Back in the Public Service Commission.rnWHEN: Thursday, May 15th at 8:30am-10:00am.rnWHERE: Public Service Commission, 1333 H St NW.rnrnWASHINGTON, DC – This week Verizon DC will hope to offset increasing scrutiny from DC city officials and community groups for its poor service quality record in the District through the approval of a Price Cap Settlement, negotiated between the company and the city. City officials have touted this settlement, which focuses heavily on customer service and technical personnel training, as an important step towards ensuring consumer protection standards in the District, but unions, community groups and quality-of-service advocates are concerned over what they consider to be a substandard agreement with false solutions to serious quality of service problems. rnrn“Verizon employees are being scape-goated,” said Ruth Castel-Branco of DC Jobs with Justice, a coalition of unions, student, faith and community organizations. “Training programs will not fix the increase in problems with chronic static, slow internet, and dropped calls that DC residents are experiencing; real investment in infrastructure and staffing will. But in the last 3 years Verizon has closed most of its service centers in the District and moved a third of its jobs out of the city. The Public Service Commission has the responsibility to hold Verizon to account.”rn rnThe Public Service Commission will be holding a closed hearing on the Price Cap Settlement this Thursday, May 15th. Beforehand, workers, community members and advocates will gather for a rally to in...

As D.C. City Council Buckles to Verizon Pressure, Unions and Community Groups say “Not Yet!”

by | Jan 22, 2008 | Campaigns, Verizon Solidarity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASErnrnContact:rnRuth Castel-Branco, DC Jobs with Justice, 202.489.2273rnrnJanuary 22, 2008rnrnAs D.C. City Council Buckles to Verizon Pressure, Unions and Community Groups say “Not Yet!”rnrnrnWASHINGTON, DC – As the D.C. City Council prepares to vote on the “Telecommunications Competition Amendment Act of 2007” this February 5th, unions and community groups voice outrage over what they consider to be a preemptive amendment. The bill will amend the previous Telecommunications Acts passed in 1914 and 1996 to exempt Voice Over Internet Protocol service (VOIP) from regulation in the District of Columbia.rnrn”This bill is not in the best interest of the citizens of D.C. and passing it will have disastrous consequences on both the quality of service and jobs available to working families in the city,” said Mackenzie Baris, coordinator of DC Jobs with Justice. “By giving up its right to regulate a new technology that may develop and expand in unexpected ways, the City Council is shirking off its responsibility to protect consumers. It makes no sense.”rnrnCritics of the bill also point out that VOIP providers have demonstrated that they are not able to meet existing service quality standards for regulated phone and Internet services. “Between 2001 and 2006 there was a 70% increase in Verizon’s out-of-service intervals. During the same period, complaints have risen 200%,” explained CWA Local 2336 President, Jim Pappas. Mr. Pappas predicts that problems will only get worse as Verizon abandons its old copper lines in D.C. so it can focus energy and resources on building new fiber optic cable in the suburbs. “It’s like changing from an old wreck of a car to a new one....