Syracuse Council Supports Verizon Strikers, Blasts Company's 'Campaign To Destroy Good Jobs'

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

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse has become the latest governmental body to throw its hat into the political ring for the Verizon worker strike of 2016.

On Monday, members of the Syracuse Common Council approved a resolution in support of nearly 40,000 Verizon workers who have been striking since April 13.

The sternly-worded resolution, which can be seen here, reads:

“Verizon made $39 billion in profits over the past three years and paid its top five executives more than $230 million over the past five years… Verizon and Verizon Wireless workers are fighting for good, family-supporting jobs… Verizon forced the workers on strike by demanding that they allow increased off-shoring and contracting-out of good jobs even after Verizon has already sent roughly 5,000 formerly good, union jobs overseas… Verizon demands cuts in retirement security, health benefits, less leave time to take care of sick family members, and even the cutting of benefits for workers injured on the job."

The resolution continues:

"Verizon refused to agree to any raises, improvement in health care or other benefits, or any improvements to working conditions for Verizon Wireless retail workers… Verizon refused to build-out FiOS throughout its wireline footprint, which stifles competition among service providers to the detriment of the citizens of the City of Syracuse and consumers generally, and which cuts off countless cities and towns from the high-speed Internet access that is vital to future economic development, civic participation, education and health care.”

The resolution concludes:

“The City of Syracuse urges Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam to end Verizon’s campaign to destroy good jobs.”

“There is great support for a review of the status of the city's contracts with Verizon wireline and Verizon Wireless to protect taxpayers from low quality service because the trained, experienced workforce is striking,” said Chad Ryan, 2nd District Common Councilor for Syracuse.

“Being on strike is a hardship for all of us,” said Nikki Tonas a 19-year Verizon employee in Syracuse and mother of five. “I’m trying to stretch every dollar to care for my kids. But my kids understand that this strike is for their future – so that our family can stay here in Syracuse and we can keep good jobs like mine here in America. The overwhelming support we have received from elected leaders in our city has strengthened our fight.”

The Syracuse council hasn’t been the only governmental body to pass resolutions in support of the striking workers. In New York, the municipalities of Babylon and New Paltz passed similar resolutions last week, as have seven cities in Massachusetts.

• See related article: Town Council Backs Verizon Workers on Strike
• See related article: NJ May Allow Strikers To Collect Unemployment Benefits

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo courtesy of Stand Up To Verizon, Facebook