Tell the Editors: "Verizon Wireless Is No Friend to Working Mothers!"

Verizon Wireless likes to tout its inclusion on Working Mother magazine's list of the 100 best companies for working mothers -- but the company clearly doesn't deserve this honor. 

Far from being supportive of working mothers and the dilemmas they may face in balancing work and family, Verizon Wireless fired Kara DeWitt, a customer service representative and working mother of two small daughters, for taking sick leave while her husband was serving in Iraq. Kara's family lost not only her income but also their health insurance.

As part of our campaign to win Kara her job back, we're letting Working Mother magazine know that Verizon Wireless has no place on its list of companies that are good for working mothers.

Send your letter to the editors right now.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Verizon Wireless Is No Friend to Working Mothers

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Verizon Wireless does not deserve to be on your list of the 100 best companies for working mothers. Far from being supportive of working mothers and the dilemmas they may face in balancing work and family, Verizon Wireless fired Kara DeWitt, a customer service representative and working mother, for taking sick leave while her husband was serving in Iraq.

Initially, Dale DeWitt was to be deployed for only 6 months, but his tour was extended twice, and Kara was on her own for 19 months. During that time, their daughter Daisy, now 2, was born. Kara was taking care of Daisy and her sister Julia, now 4, while working full-time at Verizon Wireless. When the girls were sick, Kara of course had to stay home with them, using some of her sick days.

After using her allotted sick leave, Kara came down with pink eye and a stomach bug and took two additional sick days. Rather than allowing her to use vacation time or work out any other arrangement, Verizon Wireless fired Kara. Kara's family lost not only her income but also their health insurance.

Verizon Wireless clearly does not deserve the honor of being named one of the "100 Best," and I urge you to cross the company off your list.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 18, 2005


Background Information

Verizon Wireless likes to tout its inclusion on Working Mother magazine's list of the 100 best companies for working mothers

Action Alert for Connecticut
Rally Against the Family Un-Friendly Policies of Verizon Wireless

Wed., June 1, 5-6 pm
Verizon, 599 Research Pkwy.
Meriden, CT

Directions: Take exit 16 off I-91, heading east on E. Main St. Turn right onto Pomeroy Ave., then right again onto Research Parkway. VZW is #599 on your right.

For more information, call CWA Local 1298 at 203-288-5271. 

However, the company clearly doesn't deserve this honor. Far from being supportive of working mothers and the dilemmas they may face in balancing work and family, Verizon Wireless fired Kara DeWitt, a customer service representative and working mother, for taking sick leave while her husband was serving in Iraq. Initially, Dale DeWitt was to be deployed for only 6 months, but his tour was extended twice, and Kara was on her own for 19 months. During that time, their daughter Daisy, now 2, was born. Kara was taking care of Daisy and her sister Julia, now 4, while working full-time at Verizon Wireless. When the girls were sick, Kara of course had to stay home with them, using some of her sick days.  

After using her allotted sick leave, Kara came down with pink eye and a stomach bug and took two additional sick days. Rather than allowing her to use vacation time or work out any other arrangement, Verizon Wireless fired Kara. Kara's family lost not only her income but also their health insurance; Dale is a self-employed HVAC contractor, so the entire family was on her health care policy.

Kara described her unfair treatment at CWA's Customer Service conference in Cranford, NJ, in May. After she spoke, participants passed the hat and raised more than $1,000 for Kara and her family.

Kara had worked at the Verizon Wireless call center in Wallingford, CT, and CWA Local 1298 is spearheading the effort to support Kara and have her reinstated. The local and other allies will be marching on Verizon Wireless in Meriden, CT, on June 1 to demand Kara's job back (see box at right).

For more information, read the New Haven Register's coverage of this story, "Soldier's Wife Fired After Struggling to Mind the Homefront," May 1, 2005 (free registration required).