Striking Verizon workers win big gains after 44-day walkout

Nearly 40,000 Verizon workers who have been on strike since April 13 are celebrating big gains after coming to an agreement in principle with the company. After 44 days of the largest strike in recent history, striking CWA and IBEW members say they have achieved their major goals of improving working families’ standard of living, creating good union jobs and achieving a first contract for wireless retail store workers. "It's a great day in the labor movement," said CWA 2336 president Terry Richardson. "It was the overwhelming support of everyone in the entire movement that really carried us through this epic struggle." "I'm so proud of our members for holding the line against the odds to win this fight," said CWA 2108 president Marilyn Irwin. "Every affiliate, ally or activist who walked a picket line or contributed to the strike fund played a part in this victory," said Metro Council Executive Director Carlos Jimenez. "Solidarity works!" CWA president Chris Shelton said that “This proves that when we stand together we can raise up working families, improve our communities and protect the American middle class.” U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez called the tentative resolution "a testament to the power of collective bargaining." Verizon and the unions are working to put the agreement to writing, after which the proposal will be submitted to CWA and IBEW union members for ratification. "I expect that workers will be back on the job next week,” Perez said.