45K Verizon Workers Strike Over New Contract

[pitbull827]

To all you union haters, don't worry your heads will be on the chopping block next if this great country continues toward economic collapse. You need to look at the big picture and draw a line somewhere so this is a fight for the middle class not just for unions. Those with money & power will continue to hold on to it by any means necessary. If the unions fail then anyone making a halfway decent living will be the next target union or non-union. Then we'll have 2 classes. Where will you end up?

[mlke4258]

@pitbull827 Wrong! While I will not dispute that unions help keep wages up, they also keep costs up. If costs are up, prices are up. So if we were all working for $4 an hour, we would be paying a $.25 for a loaf of bread vs the $3-$4 we are now. Businesses will cease to exist if no one can afford to buy their shit. It is a very simple process here. It is called economics 101 for K-3. Such typical union propaganda. It is soo fucking retarded.

[JakDerrida]

@AVGuy2981 I'm assuming you intended that for someone else?? Or perhaps you didn't read my point correctly??

[jtsct]

What you unions need to do is, throw your children in front of vehicles and use the fuck word with your children watching to show them you mean business. What a bunch of losers! yeah, that'll gain my support. You should all go run and hide like the dems in WI.

[questioningdisciple]

Attention all union haters: Labor unions are the tip of the spear in the fight for the American worker. If we lose, they will come after you next.

[jtsct]

@questioningdisciple

Works fo rme

[SuperDachshund]

Union losers.

GO SCABS! We love you guys! You make our communications work! You do the jobs that the idiots refuse to do! We love you scabs! You rock!

[mlke4258]

@jazvic1107 you fools are doing a great job of making yourselves look bad. Blocking roads and causing backups for everyone, pounding on the sides of vehicles like a bunch of animals. Top class workers here. I don't want to see people lose their jobs but I do like to see people appreciate their jobs.

[JakDerrida]

@mlke4258 "Blocking roads and causing backups for everyone, pounding on the sides of vehicles like a bunch of animals. "

None of that occurs in the video.

[mlke4258]

@JakDerrida Very good Jak! Are you the union lawyer? Are we under some sort of testimony here? The point is, you guys try to sit here and substantiate that you are the "good guys" and verizon are the big bad guys here "taking the food right out of your families mouth". When you are all standing on the side of the road blocking not only verizon trucks but any fucking vehicle. I honestly just wish I had a snow plow. I stay the fuck out of your way..I expect a courtesy reach around. But nope! GFY!

[JakDerrida]

@mlke4258

".I expect a courtesy reach around. But nope! GFY!"

You claim you expect a "courtesy reach around" from people because they are on strike? This is only proves how vulgar and detestable anti-union people tend to be.

[mlke4258]

@JakDerrida I was never denying how vulgar and detestable I tend to be. Look at the video of the lady trying to deliver bagels in boston while you fuck heads were spitting on her and screaming in her ear. I hope you all lose your fucking jobs for good. You don't deserve them. I wouldn't want you ass fuckers anywhere near my company. The whole world stops for the little union cry babies. Wah..Wah....cunts!!

[JakDerrida]

@mlke4258 " Look at the video of the lady trying to deliver bagels in boston while you fuck heads were spitting on her and screaming in her ear."

I have yet to see it nor do I condone harassment of anybody other than picketing and taping the contingency workers that were our managers trying hopelessly to do our jobs and posting it on Youtube. I wouldn't want to go near your company, either. As it seems far too vulgar and closed-minded of an environment for someone like me.

[mlke4258]

@jazvic1107 thats the part you are not understanding. It is their company, they should have the freedom to do what they want with their company. The lineman and such earn their shit. Phone monkeys should get what they are worth. 7.25. You guys do this shit to yourselves. Don't worry about me, I just do what I am told and they pay me. Just like every job I have had in my life. If it starts to seem unfair I go somewhere else. Simple!

[Redskin1040]

@AVGuy2981 You're welcome :)

[Redskin1040]

@AVGuy2981 The greedy executives of powerful companies will always be forever giving everyone that works for them the short end of the stick. It's a lost cause fighting them unless you can cripple them but, that means hurting the innocent public. It would be great if all verizon employees just got together and formed a co-op like a few other former union workers have. All I can tell you is hang in there and best of luck. Signed, the Pinhead.

[Redskin1040]

@AVGuy2981 And what makes you think I'm in the upper class? I gave up the union mentality and decided to take care of things myself. I worked for the phone company and got tired of the unions. I saw people get used to having benefits that paid for almost if not everything with big Xmas bonuses, etc. and when any talk of reducing it came up, STRIKE! Again, what exactly is verizon taking away? If you don't like my opinion, go play bagpipes!

[JakDerrida]

@Redskin1040 Xmas bonuses?? You received Xmas bonuses when you were with the union?? It seems you're perspective on the situation is grossly outdated.

[Redskin1040]

@JakDerrida Yes! Xmas bonuses. I worked for Bell Telephone and later IT&T. The scenario still applies.

[JakDerrida]

@Redskin1040 Actually, it doesn't apply as we don't get Xmas bonuses. We're not even fighting for Xmas bonuses or any amenities like that. Not even higher wages. We're just fighting for what we already have but the company knows they can easily brainwash people like you with propaganda and you'll readily buy into it.

[Redskin1040]

@JakDerrida You should read my other comments here. I already know that verizon execs are a bunch of crooks that are making too much money as it is and verizon employees don't want to give up the benies they became accustomed to. I got tired of the companies and the unions and got out of that rat race. You're all going to have this recur every few years anyway. Insulting customers won't get you anywhere.

[Redskin1040]

@AVGuy2981 Notice how so many commenting here feel the same way about verizon as I do? If you want everyone to understand what it is you're losing then why don't you disclose it and the actual salaries? Heck what's your real salary?

[Redskin1040]

@AVGuy2981 "and we outnumber you, pighead, so you ought to keep your damned mouth shut instead of passing judgement." Thanks. You're just the typical Verizon employee who doesn't care about anyone but themselves. I'll use your comment on other forums as an example.

[jazvic1107]

@In52b650. Wat the hell did i ever say i didnt like my job ... I love my job thats y im fightin to keep it!!!!!! Dumbasses have nothin better to do but talk wat they dont know!!! Like i said get ur FACTS CORRECT!!!!

[jazvic1107]

@ mlka4258 u the dick u dick we fighting for something and dick heads like u start putting ya two sense into it and try to make us look bad.. We not fighting for raises or anything extra we fighting for a contract so people in america can stay with jobs we lose the fight we stay without jobs the 40 thousand people fighting for wats right stay jobless then u know wat they do with those positions they give it to other people in other countries . So before u make an ass out of yourself get the fac

[mlke4258]

Yeah, the guy with the gaffs should definitely be getting a fucking raise...the rest of you can pound sand...

[ln52b650]

Hey jazvic, if Verizon is so bad why do you work there? GO FINS ANOTHER JOB YOU JERK. You are not entitledto a job. Your contract is up. Maybe the union could buy vz. They could all make $10000000 a year then

[nyrz]

Verizon should just close its doors, thats what you want CWA. Dont work for such evil empire, close down and find yourself a new company.. OH WAIT, that doesnt work out

[JenniferLoni]

The way life is going they should be happy to just have a job.. And the only reason someone would get mad at what I say is they know it's true.. Someone can do a better job.. I've had jobs where we had great benefits and then they where all gone one by one but hey you want the job deal with it..... it happens. not a good time to be picky. Hey if you don't like your work go look for a new job! And remember you need to have a job in some places to get a job.

[jazvic1107]

Before anyone talks crap about Verizon workers learn ur facts ... we are fightin for what is right . The corporate greedy pigs want to take the money and put it in their pocket and take away from our families pockets.. Wat do u think if we let thm win they gonna share the extra money No Way so stop runnin ur mouths on stuff u dont knw !!!!

[mlke4258]

@jazvic1107 Yes dick, thats why it says Verizon on my phone and not jazvic1107. Start your own fucking company if you don't like it! I worked for a union shop for a month...and it was fucking rediculous. You would fucking get in trouble if you worked too fast. I had to quit. It was too much of a pain in the ass trying to figure out which crybaby I was upsetting everyday by making them look the pieces of shit they were. The $80 a week was a little steep as well.

[occupant100]

Keep up the union bashing you sad, brainwashed Fox News watching lost souls.

Soon this country will be like communist China: life under a totalitarian state of psychopathic tea party-like fascist billionaires.

Be careful what you wish for.

[wander1273]

look up aawebxpress on google and get internet from us. or go to smacksportvideos and check us out.

[WWEUploader555]

Keep the heat up to these corporate greedy pigs!!!! 258 million top 5 executives in the last 4 years!!!! No federal taxes paid in the last 2 years alone!!!!!!! VERIZON PROFITING 19 BILLION LAST YEAR ALONE!!!! Wanting to send Fios (call center work-my WORK) Overseas!!!! WE BUILT THIS GODDAMN NETWORK, WE ARE THIS NETWORK!!! Stay strong union brothers & sisters CWA & IBEW local 1123

[johnkelvintztc]

it so queuing ..sobs

[Redskin1040]

There seems to a lot of misinformation here. My friend interviewed for a job as a tech support rep and was told at verizon that the salary range was between 45 to 55k a year. I don't know if this is indicative of many union jobs there, but that''s very good money and in this economy I wouldn't complain.

[JakDerrida]

@Redskin1040 You might complain if they were trying to take away many of your current benefits.

[DanSVT03]

AT&T is my client and I can say they operate much like Verizon. Highly profitable companies that treat their workers like complete crap. All the fat cat managers are sitting back counting their money and collecting bonus after bonus while hard workers are left to do their jobs with old, broken down and unsafe equipment, no raises, nothing. And their excuse is "we don't have the money for it."

Fuck you! I'm not in the union but I'm glad they're striking!

[bigspook999]

@DanSVT03 my buddy works for verizon (wireless not wireline though) and he makes 56k a year and has been there for 3 years.. all he does is basic customer service.. gets a 5-6% raise yearly and profit sharing bonus check.. i would say it is very different than att

[ladylordess]

Fire the unions goons. The legacy section is going the way of the dodo bird.

Hire people that are willing to work.

[jscartv]

Sometimes we all feels little overworked and UnderPaid. I'm J.Scar and I wrote a song called UnderPaid for situations like this. I wrote it to let people know that they are not alone in their struggle in this slow rising economy. Check out the video. J.Scar-Underpaid

[bigspook999]

How many of these people make more than 45k a year? Union works are the biggest cry babbies in the world

[werty6178]

@bigspook999 45k means 45,000 people

[iAmDeathSpank]

@werty6178 45k means 45,000 anything, not just people

[werty6178]

@iAmDeathSpank I mean in this case 45k means people the other person thought they were talking about salary

[Redskin1040]

@bigspook999 You hit it on the head! These ingrates should be thankful they have a job at all while so many americans don't have one or any kind of benefits. At the same time the greedy executives need to stop raping all of us for record profits.

[JakDerrida]

@Redskin1040 Perhaps if we all lower our working standards, they'll give people fair wages and benefits?? Oh wait.. That's the exact opposite of how things work. If it weren't for unions, your wages would actually be lower. Employee-provided healthcare would not exist.(not even for non-union).

[Redskin1040]

@JakDerrida Sorry buddy. That falls on deaf ears. Unions always caused me problems when I was in them. They were always going on strike, I'd be unemployed and use up my savings only to start all over again when we went back to work. So I got a college education and went into business for myself where I don't have to worry about it. I learned to take care of myself as many of us should.

[JakDerrida]

@Redskin1040 "So I got a college education and went into business for myself where I don't have to worry about it." There's nothing wrong with getting an education and going into business for yourself.. There's also nothing wrong for people that work together to unite and choose to bargain collectively.

"I learned to take care of myself "

Perhaps Verizon should learn to survive without workers?? Or is it just the workers that you think should be more independent??

[Redskin1040]

@JakDerrida As technological trends advance, they may one day, but there’s always someone who’s willing to work. And yes, workers should be more independent, but many have the “drone” mentality which chains them to the corporate whim..

[hanzohadow]

My aunt works for Verizon...she hates it...

[foifeti116]

I work for this company nd you have no idea. Technical support takes more than training....Verizon pays close to minimum. If u can survive on minimum then your not independently supporting yourself

[zoemayne]

$20,000,000,000 in one quarter so their probably gonna make close to 1 hundred billion

[zoemayne]

I was gonna get a droid 3 but not anymore I was a contract worker its basically like your working under the table. on top of that these fuckers made over $20,000,000,000.

[patricblack1]

It'd be funny if Verizon Fired all them and hired the people looking for jobs.

[supportthejerseymob]

@patricblack1 yea, they'll hire you in a second, you sound like your worth minumum wage.

[BertGriffin88]

Verizon only made $27Billion in 2010! Hey, can you hear me now? So the Verizon greedy overlords grew their current Verizon Wireless Business on the backs of the aging Verizon LandLine workers. CEO Seidenberg has left it to COO McAdam to FIRE these 42,000 workers.When McAdams fires them, much of this money becomes his(salary&stock-options)! CEO Seidenberg had these worker in terrible conditions, handling all sorts of materials, in awful enviroments, for extended periods,& now lets McAdam fire em!

[workingmen1]

see the video ( GM Handicap kids ) 

[TheUSMetalhead]

I paid Verizon over 100 a month for a fucking data package for a smartphone for over 4 years and they can't give their workers a decent health care package and paid overtime? This is one of the many reasons I left Verizon for pre-paid. Verizon coverage is unbeatable but one must make sacrifices somewhere. Cricket works for me at a fraction of the price, best customer service ever.

[lvll138inrs]

unions at it again. america would be much better off without them.

[TheUSMetalhead]

@lvll138inrs You're fucking clueless child, when you have to work to live you'll understand how dumb your statement is.

[LaosBuffalo]

ACN.INC.COM

[PsychLion]

I left Verizon after horrible customer service.

[NerdyCanadian]

FU Verizon!

[middlevin]

Yup

[mathue7433]

unions can go fuck themselvs

[Thunderfunny]

MORE COW BELL!

[tjohn1986]

I am all for private workers striking and labor unions.

Oh btw my internet is from verizon, Fios baby!

[noorgard1]

So how much were the workers getting paid? What was the new contract? It seems as all the vital details were left out of the equation. With so many people in this country needing jobs i would think these details would be important as there are many who would seize the opportunity for gainful employment.

[djcrossy10]

Id like to see how many of you would be fine if your employer lowered your wage stopped your insurance and pension just to name a few.

[Redskin1040]

@djcrossy10 In this shattered economy where so many don't have work or benefits they would be happy to have the jobs verizon employees are complaning about. Understand that the workers aren't going to get much sympathy when 9.2% of this country's population are jobless my friend.

[mlke4258]

@Redskin1040 It at least 20%. The 9.2% is only from the work that was lost. It don't count workers that are just entering the workforce for the first time or workers that have given up looking all together....It is sickening either way. It just kills me that in 2011 in a supposedly "free" country this type of nonsense can occur. If you don't like your job, just get another one! What in the christ is so hard about that?

[Redskin1040]

@mlke4258 The concept is non extant for the union worker mentality who have NO idea what their benefits are actually worth!! These employees need to appreciate what they have that many others only dream about. The public pays for their salaries. They have NO idea how much worse off they could be. Verizon employees need to wake up to the real world and perhaps try working in a REAL minimum wage job to realize how good they have it.

[Sme1ElsesWeirdo]

Just because many are jobless doesn't mean that those who have jobs should accept the ridiculous contract that Verizon is offering. That's exactly the ploy they are playing off of.... Using the bad economy to cut things that these workers have fought for.

[AsAboveSoBelow01]

Going on strike with 10% unemployment seems like a bad idea. You'll just be replaced.

[jhsoulscope]

government subsidies on top of record profits

[jhsoulscope]

comcast is next

[Josephdaz1]

Crooks like all the other large corporations . watch?v=FWuSyzXc1jc.

[YourWeedSucks]

verizon sucks

[pvtjamesryan3]

Give up your health care benefits, lower your wage, no more vacation pay or sick pay. No more pay Holidays...

As long as the fucking CEOs have every benefit you don't have and more,...there's a good chance u may still have a job.

[IamYoddle]

I think it be funny if they fire them all and hire people that would be thankful to have a Job...

[Colortiniz]

Where's the "Can you hear me now" guy?

[moormagic1]

Bring back Bell Telephone. Remember that?

[NewtonsStudent]

Revolution NOW

[Polydynamix]

@hempartist420 I understand that, but it's coincidentally both.

[bakedpootetoo]

@Polydynamix "Forty-five thousand unionized Verizon Communications Inc. workers" seems like you didn't read and got distracted with 45K, now don't wanna admit you're wrong. . . and it's funny you mention the workers salary, but not the billions in profits Verizons gets, and at the same time want over 100 concessions for the new contract.

CWA ftw

[Polydynamix]

@bakedpootetoo I am not here to defend verizon. The story is about the workers, who no longer want to work. If they get raises do you think that will come from Verizons bottom line? Of course not, they will simply cut jobs or expenses somewhere else, or raise our bills to compensate. This is not the first time a utility has been through this and WE pay for it, not Verizon.

[OutlaYa]

Landlines...who has those anymore?

[cagedtigersteve]

Why does everybody think they should get healthcare from their employer? This is typical Obamacare!

[quincy965]

AT&T wins

[Polydynamix]

Fire them all, there are plenty of people who would be willing to work for 45K a year, let the bank foreclose on these assholes, if they don't want to work- someone else will.

[dapple33]

@Polydynamix That's right, throw these people under the bus, corporate america and wall street are all that matters.

[Polydynamix]

@dapple33 If that's what you think.

[dapple33]

@Polydynamix that was sarcastic.

[Polydynamix]

@dapple33 I figured that, but it was also irrelevant- so I was really at a loss as to what to bother saying. This is a work ethic issue, not a corporate whine story.

[dapple33]

@Polydynamix I don't think you are really considering the current economic environment. Also, the story does point out that Verizon made 27 Billion dollars just in the second quarter, a staggering sum by any account. The company can more than afford to continue to pay the previous wages and benefits. The timing of the companies actions, motivated purely by greed and avarice and takes into no account on how there short sited acts will affect their business in the long run.

[Polydynamix]

@dapple33 But the reality is, if they give into the demands of those on strike, they won't be making the concession out of their own profit, instead they will raise fees to you and I. If they cleared 27 billion this time, next time it will be 29 billion. This is certainly not the first time a utility company has been through this.

They get the last laugh, it's the way they roll.

[steb0ne]

@Polydynamix Dumbass! They wouldn't be making 45K a year if not for the union... Contractors get between $7.5 - 10.00/hour. Try raising a family on that in 2011

[Polydynamix]

@steb0ne That's ironic because my brother works for verizon, not sure his hourly, but he's only been there 3 years and his paychecks are $825 every 2 weeks, he supports himself, his wife, and his kid on that just fine.

[steb0ne]

@Polydynamix Well, good for him. I mean, when I made $12.50 / hr I supported my wife and kids too. U gotta do what u gotta do. But if he worked for Verizon (and was it was a union job) he'd be making more than $825 in a week!!! Think about it...is what he's doing really worth that much? They paying him half of what he could be making...and in the case of customer service and technical support, they're sending those jobs to Taiwan, Mexico, India, and Philippines and paying them even less.

[AsAboveSoBelow01]

@steb0ne

That's why you be a responsible citizen and don't reproduce unless you have the monetary means.

[werty6178]

@Polydynamix 45,000 people not salary

[StoryEndsHere]

@Polydynamix Read the video description. But good point.

[airbornghost123]

45k? LOL

[ReformBarackObama]

LOL those people look stupid enough to go on strike during a recession.

Just fire them all, and hire engineers.

[oilhammer04]

@ReformBarackObama, how true . . . . what a bad move! Maybe Verizon can find a lot of needy people to take their place.

[ReformBarackObama]

@oilhammer04 Needy people my ass - this is Verizon's opportunity to replace them with the best of the best.

[hdzsound]

LOL

they are all overweight

and ugly

[cazyblood3]

fuck you Verizon Workers you make 25 an hour and still bitch

[whatsanme]

@cazyblood3 i agree, they need to quit and givethem jobs away.

[dirtymuff]

corporate control in this country is insane. The people that make that 27 billion in profits happen can't even get health care. and they will probably be fired, but Americans are so fucking dumb they won't care, they will continue to give all their money to corporate assholes who fuck over hard working people.

[DeaDlyK3viN]

At the end of the day, big corporations always win. Filling 45,000 jobs won't be hard when millions are unemployed. It's a bad time to be a working man these days. Anyways, good luck on trying to get what you probably deserve.

[LuckyDukeSeven]

@DeaDlyK3viN

You can thank the deskilling of the labor force for that. Jobs are so "Step by step" and "monotonous" these days that you could train a monkey to do 'em. And thus, corporations can fire anyone they want, and hire more people.

[mooiboys1000]

Iel

[LocalScumBag123]

Verizon, hire illegal immigrants_save millions/make millions - End of Strike(s)...

[videotodaynews]

27 billion in profit isn't enough? Really?

[bb1televator]

@videotodaynews But...but..if you paid workers in fair wages and benefits, you'd ONLY have 26 billion left... Poor rich people can only afford so much. /sarcasm

[gammyland]

@bb1televator How much are they getting paid again?? oh yeah that's right. they loke to leave that out of the news story. Those who are on strike are a part of the landline portion of the company, which is dying. 

[IronicallyVague]

There's so much money wasted on cell phones you can't help but wonder how much it can be blamed on hurting the economy, Kid's spend ALL of their money on that garbage and it's nothing more then a status symbol

[nonginger]

why the fuck don't they just quit and work for at&t or something?

[JogBird]

fucking union pigs, they should all be fired, there are tons of people who would take their jobs

[restlesspride666]

@JogBird They are rioting so that new workers won't have to. Its very simple even for a pig-head troll like you to understand. Morons these days....