Verizon seeks injunctions against strikers

Verizon Communications has sought court injunctions to prevent striking workers from blocking access to the company's facilities, a spokesman said on the third day of a strike involving almost half of the company's wireline employees.

Two unions representing 45,000 workers called a strike after a labor contract expired and several weeks of talks for a new contract failed. Verizon has sought injunctions to prevent "illegal" and "reprehensible" strike activities such as keeping managers out of buildings, according to company spokesman Rich Young.

Verizon got an injunction in Pennsylvania and filed for one in Delaware, according to Young, who said the company would seek injunctions in any state where strikers block buildings. While the company said it is holding high-level talks with union representatives, the injunctions are the latest sign of increasingly hostile relations outside the negotiating room. The CWA has accused Verizon managers of injuring picketers.