Union Rep. Explains Why 40,000 Verizon Workers Are On Strike

Hundreds of Verizon workers strike outside of the telecommunications company's Brooklyn offices on April 13, 2016 in New York City. Across the nation nearly 40,000 Verizon workers with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brot

Almost 40,000 workers of Verizon Communications, Inc. went on strike Wednesday. The two sides were unable to reach an agreement after eight months without a new contract.

The employees, who mostly work on landline and internet operations on the East Coast, are represented by two major unions: the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Bob Master of the CWA District 1 speaks with Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson about what pushed the workers to strike.

Note: Verizon Communications, Inc. did not respond to Here & Now’s request for comment.

Guest

  • Bob Master, assistant to the vice president of Communications Workers of America, District 1.
Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.

300x250 Ad

More Here and Now

300x250 Ad

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Donate