Town Council Backs Verizon Workers on Strike

BRAINTREE, MA - The Braintree Town Council and Mayor Joseph Sullivan have made it clear that they support the 36,000 Verizon workers on strike.

Tuesday night, the Town Council voted unanimously to sign a resolution in support of the workers. In the resolution, the board urged Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam to end what they call “the Verizon campaign to destroy good jobs.”

“BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: That the Town of Braintree will not enter into any new contracts or obligations to purchase Verizon products or services while the strike continues,” the statement written by Councilman Charles Ryan partially read. “BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: That the Town of Braintree will review any current contracts or obligations to purchase Verizon products or services and end any contracts or obligations where permissible by the terms of the contract and the parties obligations to one another.”

Councilman Charles Kokoros said this is not what the town agreed to allow Verizon to bring their FiOS service to the town about 10 years ago.

“We did not sign on for a company to profit by removing their employees. We signed on because men and women who we grew up with were helping the economy and doing a great job. Quite frankly, when I look at my bill and see the profit the company is making and the jobs they want to take away from the community, it’s unconscionable,” he said before calling on other communities to think of the workers on strike before welcoming Verizon’s cable and internet service FiOS.

The resolution is a joint statement between the council and Mayor Joseph Sullivan. As the resolution was read, members of IBEW Local 2222 were in the audience.

“I know it’s not easy being on strike but I want to thank you for taking a stand. Unions in this country get a bad rap but people coming together and standing up for themselves is the core of the community,” Councilor Mike Owens said.

After the resolution was read, Mayor Sullivan expressed appreciation for the action.

“They do a great job, they continue to do a great job, they want to work, and it’s unbelievable they don’t get the recognition they deserve,” he said.

Below is the full resolution: