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Verizon's Bid to Regulate Free Speech Fails
Following is a statement by the Communications Workers of America following the decision by the U.S. District Court for the district of New Jersey to throw out the contempt of court charge brought by Verizon Wireless against CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen.
Washington D.C. -- CWA is very pleased that Judge Mary L. Cooper has thrown out the contempt of court charge that Verizon Wireless sought to bring against CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen.
This action by Verizon Wireless is nothing short of another attempt to regulate and control free speech and we appreciate the court's acknowledgement that such tactics are not acceptable.
That Verizon obtained the information it used to bring this charge in a fraudulent manner is a matter of serious concern. As we told the court, it was informal remarks made by a CWA officer on a limited teleconference with select reporters that Verizon Wireless used as the basis of this charge.
Even more disturbing is Verizon's failure to adhere to its own code of conduct by allowing two executives from its investor relations unit to listen to this call that was intended for reporters only. Any Verizon employee who commits a similar abuse is fired immediately, yet Verizon has taken no action against these executives.
We hope Judge Cooper's decision moves corporate decision-makers at Verizon and its Verizon Wireless subsidiary to reverse what has been a very aggressive and acrimonious posture toward their employees and CWA, characterized by incessant litigation to avoid contractual commitments and to thwart workers from exercising their rights to form and join unions.
Verizon and its shareholders would benefit more from building a constructive relationship with CWA based on mutual trust and respect. That's the direction every other major telecom company has taken and this high road approach to labor relations has produced positive results all around.
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Washington D.C. -- CWA is very pleased that Judge Mary L. Cooper has thrown out the contempt of court charge that Verizon Wireless sought to bring against CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen.
This action by Verizon Wireless is nothing short of another attempt to regulate and control free speech and we appreciate the court's acknowledgement that such tactics are not acceptable.
That Verizon obtained the information it used to bring this charge in a fraudulent manner is a matter of serious concern. As we told the court, it was informal remarks made by a CWA officer on a limited teleconference with select reporters that Verizon Wireless used as the basis of this charge.
Even more disturbing is Verizon's failure to adhere to its own code of conduct by allowing two executives from its investor relations unit to listen to this call that was intended for reporters only. Any Verizon employee who commits a similar abuse is fired immediately, yet Verizon has taken no action against these executives.
We hope Judge Cooper's decision moves corporate decision-makers at Verizon and its Verizon Wireless subsidiary to reverse what has been a very aggressive and acrimonious posture toward their employees and CWA, characterized by incessant litigation to avoid contractual commitments and to thwart workers from exercising their rights to form and join unions.
Verizon and its shareholders would benefit more from building a constructive relationship with CWA based on mutual trust and respect. That's the direction every other major telecom company has taken and this high road approach to labor relations has produced positive results all around.
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