(WASHINGTON) – The following is a statement from Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa about the decision of Verizon’s 40,000 unionized workers to go out on strike today. The nation’s second-largest telecommunications provider has been attempting to shortchange employees during the last 10 months of contract negotiations.

“Since 2013, Verizon has earned more than $40 billion in profits. Yet it is threatening job and benefit cuts to its dedicated workers who have helped fuel the company’s prosperity. That makes no sense and is why the Teamsters stand united behind the efforts of its Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers brothers and sisters who decided they had enough and went on strike this morning.

“There is no good reason for Verizon to be threatening to off-shore jobs when it is so flush with funds. It is actions like these that have caused income inequality to grow in this country. Big business should be a force for good in the fight for economic fairness. Verizon’s actions, however, are not the way to reach that goal.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

-30-

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via email