Crossing Picket Lines: Do Verizon's Customers Care About Union Strike, Boycott?

You’re a Verizon customer who needs a new phone. You walk down to your local Verizon store, but suddenly come across dozens of chanting, yelling strikers carrying picket signs.

Do you cross their line?

As the Verizon worker strike of 2016 enters its fifth week, almost 40,000 union members are remaining on point about one of their most repeated messages… don’t cross a picket line.

• Catch up on the latest news and history about the Verizon strike here

“We will be walking in our picket lines outside of work locations, including Verizon Wireless stores,” union supporters wrote. “Empty stores will send a powerful message to Verizon and other large corporations that enough is enough.”

DON’T CROSS THE LINE

According to International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) members, strikers stand up for the rights of all middle class workers, not just the employees of the company.

And that’s why people shouldn’t cross a picket line, they say.

“This is not just a fight for a fair contract,” IBEW members stated in a May 2 bargaining update regarding the Verizon strike. “This is a fight for the middle class, in opposition of greedy corporations that find tax loopholes to avoid taxes while sending jobs out of this country. Members are tired of being asked to do more while this corporation gives less in return.”

Striking workers – united under the Stand Up To Verizon group – say that the fight is bigger than just Verizon. Union members posted the following video explaining why Verizon customers shouldn’t cross their picket lines.

According to Executive Director of Jobs With Justice Sarita Gupta, there are several reasons why a customer shouldn’t cross a picket line.

Gupta stated:

“By honoring a picket line, you’re keeping your wallet closed while making your voice heard loud and clear and putting even more pressure on the company to return to the table and negotiate fairly… While Verizon employees are taking a big risk by going on strike to fight for an economy that works for all, the rest of us get to benefit from their bravery without taking any risks ourselves… Honoring their picket lines and the call to stay out of Verizon Wireless stores during the duration of the strike is the least we can do in return.”

Several Verizon customers expressed their support online for the unions’ boycott effort.

• “I need a new phone desperately but I don't cross picket lines.”
• “I'm ready to buy out my Verizon contract and leave them if they don't give a fair deal.”
• “I refuse to buy anything else from Verizon until this is fixed.”
• “Just walked away from the Verizon store instead of upgrading to the new phone that I needed.”

CROSSING THE LINE

Despite the boycott and picketing effort, Verizon’s wireless business is operating “extremely well,” a Verizon spokesman told Fortune in April.

In April, Verizon allegedly sent its workers a letter labeled “Important Strike Information” that instructs them how to break a picket line.

“All union-represented employees have the legal right to work during the strike,” the letter allegedly stated. ‘Associates wishing to work will be permitted to do so.”

“When workers go on strike, they are angry and fighting for their rights,” eHow.com states. “As a civilian, trying to cross a picket line can be difficult. No one wants to rock the boat, but sometimes it is necessary to stand up for yourself and pass the mob to live your life.”

During a strike in 2011, administrators at Conestoga College in Ontario, Canada, produced a flyer titled “How to Cross a Picket Line,” which gives advice such as:

• “Expect delays and allow for extra time”
• “If driving, make your way through the line cautiously and drive slowly. Stop when necessary. You will be allowed to cross.”
• “Accept flyers or brochures from the picketers.”
• “Do not engage in arguments. Be calm, courteous, polite and patient at all times.”

READER POLL

Would you cross a picket line? Take the Patch reader poll below and share the reason why you voted that way in the comments section.

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

Send news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo via Stand Up To Verizon, Facebook