Strikers and Verizon Trade Barbs

Source: The New York Times

Ever since 45,000 workers began their strike against Verizon Communications on Sunday, their unions have repeatedly stressed one point: Verizon’s push for concessions would “destroy middle-class jobs” and “push workers out of the middle class.”

Verizon officials assert that this is largely a shrewd talking point aimed at wooing public support for the workers. The company insists that the striking employees are handsomely paid and will remain solidly in the middle class even if Verizon wins on some of the disputed issues, like getting the workers to pay at least $1,200 more a year toward health coverage.

Throughout this first week of the walkout by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the sides have contradicted each other and talked past each other as they jockey to win public backing and rally their supporters.

For instance, union officials say Verizon’s proposed health insurance changes would cost some workers $6,800 more each year, and its overall proposals would cost workers $20,000 on average each year. But Verizon’s top spokesman called the $6,800 health assertion “distorted” and the $20,000 claim “bogus.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/technology/in-strike-verizon-and-union-trade-barbs.html?pagewanted=all

I'll take flesh and blood humans and fuck the corporation.