CWA and IBEW Reach Tentative Agreement

  CWA and IBEW Reach Tentative AgreementOn behalf of the 2.5 million members of the New York State AFL-CIO, I want to extend my congratulations to the leadership and members of the CWA and IBEW for the agreement in principle announced Friday, May 27, 2016 between the two unions and Verizon.The hardworking men and women of both unions spent 6 weeks walking the picket line in a show of solidarity, strength and determination, never once wavering in their fight to create solid middle class jobs in our communities.I am particularly proud of the unprecedented show of support from our unions and their members in the public sector, private sector and building trades who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their brothers and sisters of CWA and IBEW throughout this fight.All of our members from across this state along with the Central Labor Councils, and Area Labor Federations showed tremendous solidarity by joining picket lines, attending rallies, adopting Verizon stores and contributing to the strike fund.I want to thank the members of the Executive Board. Each of you displayed the leadership necessary to help our brothers and sisters throughout this difficult strike.It is our proven commitment and dedication to one another, as well as our willingness to stand together and speak with one voice, that continues to make us a strong, successful and unified labor movement.Thank you. Mario Cilento, NYS AFL-CIO

*UPDATED May 23, 2016: Here's how you can help:

• Adopt-a-Store: Mobilize your members to picket a Verizon store or location for 2-3 hours, 1-2 times per week, through the end of June. Click here to fill out the Adopt-A-Store form, it is easy and we can walk you through the whole process.

• Contribute to the Strike Fund: Please click hereto contribute online, or make a check out to “Verizon Striking Families Solidarity Fund” c/o CWA, 501 3rdStreet NW, Washington, DC 20001. Contributions will go to striking CWA and IBEW members.

• Consumer Pressure: If you or your union is a Verizon customer, be sure to express your concerns to the company and urge them to agree to a fair contract. If you know Verizon consumers, encourage them to do the same. Click here to download a PDF flyer with call in information or text Verizon Wireless to 877877.

• Join a picket line near you and wear your union colors:Picket locations will be posted on the following website: http://standuptoverizon.com/ The local Area Labor Federations and Central Labor Councils will also be coordinating efforts to adopt a Verizon Wireless Store for your union or organization to picket. Please call us if interested or click on the link above 518-436-8516!

• Take the pledge not to cross a picket line and let the workers know you stand with them

  Nearly 40,000 CWA and IBEW members including 15,000 hardworking New Yorkers are on strike for good jobs and a fair contract at Verizon. These members are your neighbors, they pay taxes and buy goods inyour community, they are your sisters and brothers in the labor movement, and now they need your help. Unfortunately, after 10 long months of negotiations, Verizon seems unwilling to settle a fair agreement. Verizon made $39 billion in profits over the last three years — and $1.8 billion a month in profits over the first three months of 2016 — but the company is still insisting on givebacks that would devastate jobs. The company wants to gut job security protections, contract out more work, freeze pensions, shutter call centers and offshore those jobs to Mexico and the Philippines. And that is just the beginning. Verizon has also refused to negotiate any improvements in wages, benefits or working conditions for Verizon Wireless retail workers who formed a union in 2014. The Labor Movement must stand with our sisters and brothers at this critical juncture. Together, we must send a message that we will not allow huge and profitable corporations like Verizon, to trample all over the very workers who have made them a success. We will continue to update you as the strike unfolds. Thank you for your solidarity. Together, we can show Verizon and all employers throughout New York and the country, that when working men and women stand together, we win. As always, please contact us should you need any additional information. In Solidarity, Mario Cilento President - New York State AFL-CIO Press Release athttp://nysaflcio.org/statement-of-new-york-state-afl-cio-president-mario-cilento-on-verizon-strike/