National Day of Action on Wed, Aug. 24
Support Striking Verizon Workers!
Labor Can Win!

The ANSWER Coalition is initiating a National Day of Action to support striking Verizon workers. On Wednesday, Aug. 24, coordinated actions will happen in many cities across the country, with activists mobilizing for union picket lines and calling solidarity protests. Click here for a list of actions.

If you are organizing people to join an ongoing picket line or initiating a solidarity action in your city on Aug. 24, fill out the online form. The Communication Workers of America (CWA) is encouraging activists to picket and leaflet at Verizon Wireless stores in every state, and to organize solidarity actions like banner hangs and leafleting.

Background on the strike

Two weeks ago, on Aug. 7, 45,000 members of the CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) went on strike against communications giant Verizon from Massachusetts to Virginia—the largest private sector work stoppage in the last seven years.

Workers took action after Verizon refused to drop a long list of demands amounting to over $1 billion in concessions. These concessions include the freezing and elimination of pensions, reduction in health care benefits, replacement of regular wage increases and replacement with a scheme dictated by the whims of management, and the elimination of paid holidays and sick days.

Since then, pickets and street actions have rocked cities along the East Coast and inspired mass solidarity actions across the country. Thousands of workers and their supporters are heroically taking a stand against corporate greed and exploitation.

Verizon reaps billions in profits each year. It reported $10 billion in profits in 2010 and net income of $6.9 billion during the first half of 2011. CEO Ivan Seidenberg was paid over $81 million dollars between 2007 and 2010. This is 300 times what an average Verizon worker earns.

Verizon greed is nothing new. CWA and IBEW walked out in 1986, 1989, 1998 and 2000 to maintain decent employer-paid medical coverage. In 2003 and 2008, they waged militant contract campaigns over the same issue, narrowly avoiding a strike.

The attack on Verizon workers is being replicated across the country. From New York to Wisconsin to California, both private and public sector workers are expected to take wage and benefit cuts, while corporate profits are skyrocketing. And local, state and federal budget cuts are doing away with much needed social services.

During the ongoing economic crisis, those who created the crisis—the billionaire bankers, corporate owners and their political allies in Washington—are asked to sacrifice nothing. Instead, working families are asked to suffer. What’s happening is a multi-pronged assault on workers and poor people.

Verizon workers are heroically standing up to this assault. They are standing up for not only their rights, but for the rights and needs of working people all over the country. We urge all progressive people to stand with them and take action to support this important struggle.

Take action

Scroll down for a list of Aug. 24 picket lines and solidarity actions. Join one in your city.

If there is no action near you, organize an action in your city or town. The CWA is encouraging activists to picket and leaflet at Verizon Wireless stores in every state, and to organize solidarity actions like banner hangs and leafleting.

Send us photos and a report of your action to [email protected]. Picket lines and actions will continue through the duration of the strike.

An injury to one is an injury to all!

Aug. 24 actions to support striking Verizon workers

Washington, D.C.
Wed, Aug. 24, 5-7pm
Verizon Wireless, 1744 L St. NW

The ANSWER Coalition is mobilizing for the CWA’s evening picketing on Wed, Aug. 24 from 5-7pm at Verizon Wireless, 1744 L St. NW. Also join daily pickets Mon, Aug. 22 through Fri, Aug. 26 from 12-1pm at two Verizon Wireless locations, 1744 L St and 1314 F St. NW; and an evening picketing on Tue, Aug. 23 from 5-7pm at Verizon Wireless, 1314 F St. NW.

New York City, N.Y.
Wed, Aug. 24, 5-7pm
Verizon Store, 166 W 125th St

The ANSWER Coalition is joining an ongoing union presence at this time.

Albany, N.Y.
Wed., Aug. 24, 12-3pm
Verizon Wireless, 1770 Central Ave.

The ANSWER Coalition is joining the union picket that is scheduled to be up weekdays from 12noon-6pm.

Syracuse, N.Y.
Wed, Aug. 24 through Fri, Aug. 26 at 5:30pm
Verizon Store, 6360 Thompson Rd.

The ANSWER Coalition is joining the union picket that is scheduled to be up 24-hours. Picketers are advised to park in the lot across the street.

Philadelphia, Pa.
Wed., Aug. 24, 6-8pm
Verizon Building, 900 Race St.

The ANSWER Coalition is joining the union picket that is scheduled to be up weekdays from 6am-12midnight.

Chicago
Wed, Aug. 24, 4-6pm
Verizon Store, 500 N. Michigan Ave.

The ANSWER Coalition is joining an ongoing solidarity picket sponsored by the Chicago Federation of Labor and Chicago Jobs with Justice.

Los Angeles
Wed, Aug. 24, 5pm
Verizon Store, 3785 Wilshire Blvd.
(Corner of Wilshire & Western)

The ANSWER Coalition is organizing a solidarity action.

San Francisco
Wed, Aug. 24, 12-1pm
768 Market St. (near 4th St.)

This solidarity action is initiated by the Pacific Media Guild, CWA and supported by many unions and community organizations, including the ANSWER Coalition. It is continuing every Wednesday.

Albuquerque
Wed, Aug. 24, 5pm
Verizon Store, 2201 Louisiana Blvd NE
(Corner Uptown Blvd NE near Coronado Mall)

The ANSWER Coalition is organizing a solidarity action.

Austin, Texas
Wed, Aug. 24, 12noon-2:30pm
Sunset Valley Verizon Store, 5207 Brodie Lane

The ANSWER Coalition is organizing a solidarity action.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wed, Aug. 24, 5:30pm
Verizon Store, 2501 N. Federal Highway

The ANSWER Coalition and other progressive organizations are organizing a solidarity action at this regular picket location.

Boston, Mass.
Thurs, Aug. 25, 6-9pm
Verizon Wireless, Neponset Circle
757 Gallivan Blvd., Dorchester

The ANSWER Coalition is joining the union picket that is scheduled to be up during store business hours of 9am-9pm.

Visit www.answercoalition.org for updates. You can also visit the CWA's Verizon strike website to find a picket in your area.