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Arbitrator Denies Bid by Verizon Wireless to Block CWA's Ads, Actions

Verizon Wireless's bid for a temporary restraining order to block the Communications Workers of America from advertising in the media and holding public demonstrations to support its collective bargaining goals was denied by Arbitrator Edwin H. Benn.

Verizon Wireless sought the temporary restraining order under a contractual organizing neutrality agreement between CWA and Verizon Wireless. Benn determined that Verizon Wireless was not entitled to a temporary restraining order because that agreement applies to organizing campaigns, not bargaining activities.

A reading of the newspaper advertisement shows that the Verizon Wireless activities targeted by CWA are not in the context of organizing, but "are the result of perceived mistreatment of CWA represented employees by Verizon Wireless at the bargaining table," Benn said.

He also stressed that granting the company's request for an injunction now could prevent CWA from carrying out lawful economic activity to support the Verizon Wireless workers in their bid for a new contract.

"It would be against the public's interest of seeing the parties to those negotiations work out the terms of their collective bargaining agreements for me to upset the balance of power in those negotiations by imposing injunctive relief," Benn added.

Verizon Wireless wanted to stop CWA from calling attention to the company's "shameless" treatment of union workers at Verizon Wireless by blocking the union from running ads in major newspapers and from holding public events and rallies outside Wireless stores.

CWA ran newspaper ads on Aug. 26 and 27, criticizing Verizon Wireless for treating union workers like second-class citizens and refusing to provide equal benefits. The company also cited a demonstration held in conjunction with CWA's convention in Chicago, where delegates rallied in support of the 51 Verizon Wireless workers who are fighting for a fair contract. Similar actions are being planned to show support for Verizon Wireless bargaining.

Five Democratic presidential candidates also expressed their full support for Verizon Wireless workers seeking a fair contract.

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