Jun 22, 2011

Contact: Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org, www.cwa-union.org

Washington, D.C. – Negotiations begin today between the Communications Workers of America and Verizon Communications covering about 35,000 CWA telecommunications workers from Virginia to New England.

Bargaining will be led by CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton in the metro New York area and in Philadelphia by CWA Vice Presidents Ron Collins, District 2, and Ed Mooney, District 13. Key issues include quality jobs and health care.  The current contract expires at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 7. 

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also is bargaining with CWA for a new contract for Verizon members.

As talks get underway today, CWA members are mobilizing and holding mass rallies across Verizon East territory.  

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