Verizon strike continues
It has been nearly a week since 45,000 unionized Verizon workersfrom the U.S. Northeast wireline unit went on strike after theircontract expired at midnight on Saturday, August 6, but there areno signs of either side letting up.
On one side, there is the wireless communications giant’s stancethat its declining landline business requires workers to give uptheir pensions, work rules and raises, and to contribute at least$1,200 a year to their healthcare plans. Many employees, however,consider these terms as not even a contract and an attack on themiddle-class by yet another greedy corporation.
For Edward Ruggiero, a father of two from Dyker Heights, themotivation behind going on strike is as personal and simple as itis for his fellow co-workers: to protect his family.