Reports indicate striking Verizon union workers will begin seeing compensation from their representatives beginning as early as this week, while 15 protesting workers and supports were arrested
Striking Verizon Communication union workers are reportedly set to begin receiving benefits from a $400 million union fund, while 15 protesters were arrested outside a shareholders meeting in Albuquerque.
Fortune reported the nearly 40,000 striking workers were expected to begin receiving financial compensation from the union fund as early as this week to offset wages lost since the strike began April 13. Both sides appear set for the strike to continue into the foreseeable future.
Verizon late last week presented its “last, best, final” offer to union representatives, which was not warmly received. Verizon said the offer was put in front of leaders of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and includes a number of details, including a 7.5% increase in wages over the contract term, increased health care expense contributions and the continuation of current 401(k) contributions.
“These items and the other terms of our last, best, final offer represent a fair deal that is good for employees and would provide the foundation for quality jobs into the future,” Verizon noted. “Please take a close look at the attachments. Read for yourself exactly what Verizon is proposing: great jobs with outstanding compensation and excellent benefits as we continue to work together in an exceptionally competitive environment.”
IBEW seemed unimpressed with the offer or the noted finality of the negotiations.
“Sadly, Verizon has refused to compromise on its most extreme demands, like its call to further outsource American jobs overseas, while rejecting our offer to save the company millions in health care spending without gouging retirees,” said IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson, in a statement. “The company’s final offer doesn’t address those concerns and will do nothing to keep good jobs here in America. Real bargaining involves both parties having a real discussion – not a one-sided presentation posted online. We believe collective bargaining should be done across the table, not on YouTube.”
The carrier has since moved forward with brining in thousands of temporary workers, which Verizon said have installed thousands of new orders for the telecom giant. The carrier has also said it does not expect the ongoing strike to impact company financials at least through the second quarter.
15 protesters arrested
Signaling the contentious nature of the stand off, CWA reported 15 union workers and supporters were arrested outside a shareholders meeting in Albuquerque, which included more than 250 total protesters. The CWA said the protesters were arrested after rolling out a 70-foot banner across Rio Grande Blvd., and then lying down on the banner to block traffic.
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