Verizon union sets strike deadline

[unhappycamper]

Verizon union sets strike deadline
By Erin Ailworth
Globe Staff / August 9, 2008

The deadline for Verizon Communications Inc. and thousands of the company's unionized employees to reach a contract agreement has been reset to a minute after midnight tomorrow. Without an agreement by then, the workers - including more than 9,000 in New England - could go on strike, union officials said yesterday.

Last Saturday, a five-year contract covering union members with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America was temporarily extended to continue negotiations. Verizon, based in New York, has about 65,000 unionized employees nationwide.

"Things have been going slowly and the committee is clearly frustrated," said union spokesman Rand Wilson.

In an e-mailed statement, Verizon yesterday expressed surprise about the new deadline.

"We and the union leadership have been making consistent progress and have resolved most of the important issues. This has been a complex process. Verizon is committed to continuing to negotiate for as long as it takes to complete the process."


Rest of article at: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/08/09/verizon_union_sets_strike_deadline/