Sunday, August 03, 2008
Verizon strike called off for now
Verizon Communications Inc. and two unions representing some 65,000 of its workers have agreed to "stop the clock" on contracts that were set to expire at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.
One of the unions, the Communications Workers of America, said a strike has been postponed "in light of progress that has been made" in the negotiations.
The CWA, which represents about 50,000 workers, said the current contracts remain in effect as talks continue.
The other union is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Major
bargaining issues include health care coverage for employees and
retirees, wages and union representation for new job areas.
Roanoke area members of Local 2204 of the
CWA held an "informational practice
picket" on Saturday afternoon outside the Verizon consumer sales and
service center near Roanoke Regional Airport. Chuck Simpson, Roanoke area vice president of the CWA's 400 or so local members, said Saturday that while a strike today is possible, union officials will await word of contract negotiations. Robert Hill, president of Local 2204, said early Sunday through the organization's Web site that members will not set up picket lines this morning.
The Roanoke Times contributed to this report.
