Verizon Workers Strike on Route 17

Hundreds of Verizon Communications and Fios employees crowded along Route 17 south in front of the Verizon Wireless store Thursday and heckled customers to protest proposed health care givebacks.

"We're fighting for a fair contract," said local union representative Patrick Glover. "We're fighting for our right to keep our benefits, to keep our pension, to be able to feed our children."

Verizon says the givebacks will help the company compete in an increasingly wireless industry, while union officials accuse Verizon of attacking middle class jobs.

Verizon employees who work on wire lines, represented by the Communication Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, have been on strike since midnight Sunday, when their contracts expired.

Verizon is asking for a $100 a month contribution to health care. In their previous contract, employees didn't contribute anything to health care costs.

CWA spokesman Bob Master says Verizon also wants to cut pension and health benefits while capping sick time and instituting merit pay.

Customers may experience longer hold times and wait times for repairs during the strike, but Verizon hasn't seen significant impact, Verizon spokesman Lee Gierczynski said.

"We're going to continue to negotiate with the union until we can get a contract that balances all the priorities," he said.