Religious, Academic, Community Leaders Urge Verizon CEO to Bargain Fairly

Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam was put on notice this week by more than 150 leaders from the religious, higher education, and civil and workers' rights communities who said, it's time for Verizon to "do the right thing and negotiate a fair contract."

In an Open Letter to McAdam, the group said leaders were troubled by Verizon's bargaining strategy and "excessive concessions" that the profitable corporation is seeking from its employees. "Given the largesse Verizon executives have enjoyed, it is shocking that the company would look to impose drastic austerity measures on those whose hard work generated that profit," the letter stated.

"If Verizon is to remain a fixture in our communities, the company must meet the labor standards of our communities and afford its workers the dignity of an equitable negotiation," they wrote.

The leaders told McAdam that they would continue to support Verizon workers "as long as it takes...We hope that you will heed the call for an economy that works for everyone, not just the one percent."

Click here to read the letter and the names of its co-signers.