Verizon Disrespects Techs Who Repaired Storm Damage

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Verizon technicians, members of CWA locals across Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, raced to restore service to the Mid-Atlantic region earlier this month after a series of fatal, power-cutting thunderstorms. Working 12 to 16 hours a day, crews hit the streets early on June 30 to clean up the wreckage and replace electronics after violent storms devastated the area, knocking down trees, poles and wires.  Workers put in extended shifts to restore service, replacing 163 poles and re-hanging about 900 downed lines across the region. But while Verizon praised its workers for being on the job for more than 12 hours daily in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, “that appreciation stops far short of the bargaining table,” CWA reports, “where Verizon continues to demand cuts in compensation of at least $10,000 per worker per year and doesn't even think workers deserve a pay raise.” Click here for CWA’s report and Verizon’s video on workers cleaning up after the storm. - image still from video