Verizon breaks hearts
Hearts were broken as Valentine’s Day rolled by last week and Verizon has yet to bargain fairly with 45,000 workers negotiating for their livelihood. In an attempt to reach Lowell McAdams, Verizon CEO and get him to lead by example: share the love and his company’s profits, Jobs with Justice coalitions across the country took to the streets taking note from Valentine’s Day. From store delegations to theatrical disruptions to comic reels—Jobs with Justice took a creative step forward in this campaign for worker’s rights.
In Long Island 100 people delegation rallied after attempting to deliver flowers and candy to Verizon retail reps, in Central Florida students from the UCF—Student Labor Action Project represented the community in support of Verizon workers by presenting the wireless store with a piggy bank with kisses all over because we all know how much Verizon loves keeping money from its workers. Not to be outshined, In a display of affection reminiscent of John Cusack's performance in Say Anything, 8 activists delivered a special Valentine’s Day message to Verizon Wireless in Boston. Invoking the 80’s classic film, citizens brought candy and flowers to a Copley-area store – complete with an overhead boom box blaring Peter Gabriel’s “Your Eyes” – hoping to coax Verizon back to the table in long-stalled bargaining discussions with local workers: http://bit.ly/yf6crE. In DC, A lonely cell phone crossed three state lines, stopping by 4 different stores in search of love and respect for Verizon workers.
Additional actions were coordinated in San Francisco, Portland, Colorado, Western Massachusetts, Philly, Cleveland and New York some in collaboration with CWA & IBEW local retiree and active workers.
It was a busy week for hard working people! If you were part of the efforts that made the adventures above happen, we thank you. If you have now been inspired to get involved, visit your local Jobs with Justice coalition: www.jwj.org
