Verizon Strike Needs To End, Congress Members Say: 2016 Update

Editor's Note: This article is part of an ongoing series. Catch up on the latest news about the Verizon strike here.

May 20, 2016 – As the Verizon labor stoppage of 2016 drags into its fifth week and nearly 40,000 workers continue their protest efforts, 88 U.S. Congress members have issued a plea for the two sides to end the strike.

On Thursday, the legislators issued a joint statement about the Verizon labor negotiations:

“We applaud Verizon’s success and its ability to be profitable throughout the changes that have taken place in the telecommunications industry, but are deeply concerned about the ongoing Verizon strike,” the 88 Congress members stated in a written news release.

“Verizon workers build, install and maintain the state-of-the-art FiOS broadband system, and ensure that the millions of customers still reliant on the copper network continue to receive high quality service. In addition, Verizon Wireless retail store workers and technicians work in one of the most profitable sectors of the economy. We are troubled that the lack of a negotiated labor agreement could increase the likelihood that good jobs will be offshored to the Philippines, Mexico and other locations overseas or outsourced to low-wage, non-union domestic contractors. And we are concerned that Verizon wireless retail workers, who joined the union back in 2014, still have not been able to negotiate improvements in their wages, benefits and working conditions.

“It has been reported that Verizon’s highly skilled union workforce has declined by nearly 40 percent over the last decade. We are concerned that proposed changes in the new contract could continue that downward spiral. While we are heartened by Verizon’s announced intention to offer FiOS broadband service in additional cities, such as Boston, many communities across the country are still waiting. We hope that Verizon will be committed to hiring and retaining the skilled staff necessary to complete the buildout of its FiOS broadband service in a timely manner in all markets.

“We urge the parties to negotiate in good faith and agree to a fair contract. We firmly believe it is in the public interest to protect middle class jobs, reduce outsourcing and offshoring, and ensure high quality telecommunications services to the public.”

See the full list of signatories here.

The legislators’ statement comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Labor’s announcement that it was sending a federal mediator to help restart talks between the company and its striking employees.

• See related article: Feds Send In Mediator: Verizon Strike of 2016 Update

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