Verizon

email from Bernie Sanders, 4/21/16

Sisters and Brothers,

The CEO of Verizon makes almost $20 million a year in compensation. He leads one of the most profitable companies in the country.

Yet Verizon wants to take away employees’ health benefits. Verizon wants to outsource decent-paying jobs. Verizon wants to avoid paying federal income tax. And right now, Verizon is refusing to sit down and negotiate a fair contract with its employees.

In other words, Verizon is just another major American corporation trying to destroy the lives of working Americans. But this time, Verizon’s employees are fighting back.

Thousands of very brave employees of Verizon and Verizon Wireless are on strike until they can get a fair contract. They made a very difficult decision that puts their families at risk — but it’s a choice they made to stand up for justice against corporate greed.

I’m asking you today to stand up and tell the CEO of Verizon that you think Verizon employees deserve a fair contract that protects health benefits, guarantees fair pay, and stops outsourcing. Click here to add your name in support of Verizon employees.

Add Your Name »

Twice last week in New York City I stood with Verizon workers in the streets. I did so because they’re doing something very brave: they’re standing up not just for themselves, but for the millions of Americans who don’t have a union.

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Bernie Sanders Joins Strikers in New York, Slams Verizon’s Unfair Labor Practices

By Michael Arria / AlterNet, April 13, 2016

Approximately 39,000 Verizon landline and cable workers on the East Coast walked off the job Wednesday morning after working without a contract since August.

Approximately 39,000 Verizon landline and cable workers on the East Coast walked off the job Wednesday morning after working without a contract since August. An agreement was not reached with the Verizon (NYSE:VZ), largest U.S. wireless communications service provider. It is the biggest U.S work stoppage since 2011, when a Verizon strike lasted two weeks.

Bernie Sanders joined the picket line with workers on Wednesday morning in Brooklyn. The Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate said that Verizon was one of the richest and most powerful corporations in this country, “but they refuse to sit down and negotiate a fair contract.” Sanders told the energized group of picketers:

“They want to take away the health benefits that you have earned. They want to outsource decent paying jobs. They want to give their CEO $20 million a year in compensation. They want to avoid paying federal income taxes. In other words, this is just another major American corporation trying to destroy the lives of working Americans. Today you are standing up not just for justice for Verizon workers, you’re standing up for millions of Americans who don’t have a union….”

continue reading and see video at AlterNet

Democracy Spring: Over 400 Arrested at U.S. Capitol Protesting Corruption & Money in Politics

Democracy Now!, 4/12/16

More than 400 people were arrested Monday in a massive sit-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to protest the influence of big money and corporate lobbying in politics. The protest, organized under the name Democracy Spring, brought together activists from about 140 organizations who marched from Philadelphia to Washington last week. Similar acts of civil disobedience are scheduled throughout the week in Washington. We speak to Kai Newkirk, campaign director of Democracy Spring and co-founder and an organizer with 99Rise. He was arrested yesterday in the action at the U.S. Capitol….

continue reading at Democracy Now!