CWA, Verizon Accuse Each Other of Violating Labor Laws

The Communications Workers of America charged that Verizon has violated federal labor laws by not bargaining in good faith during negotiations to hammer out a new labor contract between the union and the telecommunications provider. Verizon has filed similar claims against the union.

The CWA said it had filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board in Baltimore and New York. Verizon has called for cuts in health care benefits and other concessions that it says are necessary to stay competitive with cable companies that do not have similar contracts with their workers. "Since the first day of negotiations, through contract expiration and even today, Verizon management has demanded the same $1 billion in concessions from its 45,000 workers," CWA Communications Director Candice Johnson said. "These demands would cost every family $20,000 a year. This is unacceptable from a company that is among the 10 wealthiest in America." In the last day, Verizon filed its own charges against the CWA, claiming the union also is not negotiating in good faith, Verizon spokesman Edward McFadden said. "Despite the inaccurate hyperbole on the part of the union, discussions between the two sides continue," he said.