VERIZON WORKERS SUPPORTED AS “iWONT” CAMPAIGN BEGINS
For Immediate Release
Oct. 12, 2011
Contact: Kelly Fryer
Cell phone: 773-710-9837
Email: kfryer@iwj.org
PEOPLE OF FAITH PETITION DELIVERED TO VERIZON HEADQUARTERS
VERIZON WORKERS SUPPORTED AS “iWONT” CAMPAIGN BEGINS
New York - Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition's Rabbi Michael Feinberg and the Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp delivered a People of Faith petition with 2000 signatures, collected by Interfaith Worker Justice, to the Verizon headquarters in Manhattan yesterday.
Security directed Feinberg and Kooperkamp to the mailroom.
"We weren't allowed to go upstairs, and no one came downstairs," Feinberg said.
Feinberg and Kooperkamp delivered the petition asking for Verizon to bargain with its workers in good faith to a mailroom manager.
"From behind the glass, workers in the mail room gave us the thumbs up and mouthed words like 'fantastic' and 'incredible,'" Feinberg said.
Feinberg said he could tell the workers were pleased with the delivery.
“Since August, 45,000 Verizon and Verizon Wireless workers have been fighting to protect their health care coverage and other standard employee benefits against company demands for massive takebacks that threaten tens of thousands of middle class families,” according to the Communications Workers of America.
A coalition of groups launched a nationwide iWon't Campaign last week, asking Americans to delay upgrading to the new iPhone on Verizon Wireless until the company agrees to a fair contract with its workers.
Interfaith Worker Justice has been organizing people of faith for sustainable jobs and worker justice for 15 yrs. For more information contact Kelly Fryer 773-710-9837 kfryer@iwj.org
###