By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-980543.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Local Communication Workers of America are threatening action if Verizon fails to meet a new contract deal with 16,000 workers state-wide.
Local workers staged a rally Wednesday night outside the Verizon office on Elmwood Avenue Buffalo.
"This company, through these contract negotiations, are hell bent in destroying the middle class jobs that CWA fought to protect over our 50-year history," said CWA Local 1122 president James Wagner.
The union's contract with Verizon is set to expire Saturday, August 6. Wagner tells WBFO News Verizon has issued a draconian proposal. He said its a contract that would eliminate job security and outsource jobs overseas.
"This company made $19 billion over the last four years in profit. $258 million of that went to the top five executives," said Wagner.
WBFO News asked Wagner if the union will stage a strike if a contract is not reached by August 6. "There are several options on the table, one of those options are to reach an agreement, extend the contract. We don't see an extension, parties are far apart. Work without a contract, call a strike or get locked out...If there is no contract there will be no peace," noted Wagner.
There are about 1,000 unionized Verizon employees in Western New York. The union believes this contract dispute is an attack on the middle class. The union said the proposed concessions would effect pension and health care benefits.
The unions held a large rally in New York City on Wednesday.