Tell Verizon CEO: Respect Your Workers' Choice

A clear majority of Verizon Communications workers in New York and New England have signed cards saying they want to be represented by a union. But Verizon refuses to respect their freedom to make that decision for themselves.

Please use the form below to fax a message to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg and tell him to recognize the workers' freedom to form unions and bargain collectively. 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Respect Workers' Free Choice About Unions

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I write you today to urge you and your company to respect the wishes of your employees by recognizing that a majority of Verizon Business technicians in New York and New England have signed union authorization cards. I am extremely disappointed that you have not done so already.

As you know, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Employee Free Choice Act, which, once enacted, will allow workers to form a union when a simple majority signs union authorization cards. While this is not yet the law of the land, I believe you should follow the lead of the House of Representatives and grant union recognition to these workers.

CEO Seidenberg, the employees at Verizon Business want the benefits of union membership that so many of their co-workers already enjoy. They have spoken. Members of Congress, as well as state and local officials, have verified their majority choice. Please do not continue to stand in their way.

I urge you to adopt the highest standards of corporate social responsibility. You yourself have said actions reveal character in people and institutions. It is time to act. Respect the free choice of a majority of Verizon Business employees.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 03, 2007


Background Information

A clear majority of Verizon Business workers in New York and New England signed authorization cards showing they want to be represented by a union. In addition, three members of Congress and high-level state and city officials have verified the choice of these workers.

But CEO Seidenberg still won't respect their free choice. He just won't listen.

On March 4, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) and Reps. Stephen Lynch and John Tierney of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray oversaw the count of Verizon Business workers' union authorization cards. They verified that 57 percent of the eligible workers signed cards saying they want a union. Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Anthony Weiner of New York and New York City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. stepped in and reaffirmed the workers' wishes a week and a half later.

But for CEO Seidenberg, the majority does not rule. He continues to act like a majority of one by denying his employees their basic freedom to choose whether or not they want to belong to a union. He continues to act as though his company neither relies on the goodwill of consumers across America, nor needs to adopt high standards of corporate social responsibility.