Verizon Strike Anniversary Marked

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)To show that telecom giant Verizon is still "turning their back" a year after its workers struck, CWA Local 2108 members and allies stood along Route 29 in Montgomery County with their backs turned to early-morning traffic on Thursday, showing the letters V-E-R-I-Z-O-N and holding banners declaring that Verizon is "turning their back" on consumers and employees. Verizon workers struck for 3-weeks a year ago for a fair contract, and recently entered arbitration. To help mark the 1-year anniversary of the strike, allies throughout the DC metro area showed their solidarity in letter-delivery actions. Members of the Union de Trabajadores, the AFL-CIO Union Summer program, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) DC Chapter, and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have all taken part, delivering a letter of worker solidarity -- signed by hundreds of supportive community allies -- to Verizon store managers. "I am a Verizon customer" said Union Summer student Vail Kohnert-Yount (above, center) after delivering a letter to the Verizon store in downtown DC. "I think it's important to use consumer power to support workers." CWA and IBEW are currently in federal mediation with Verizon; stay tuned to Union City for more information as negotiations continue. - photo of Union Summer students delivering a letter at downtown DC Verizon store (above) by Julia Kann; photo of CWA 2108 members at early-morning roadside action by Local 2108 President Marilyn Irwin