Verizon Says Veterans Day 'No Big Deal'

Washington, D.C. -- Verizon tries to score points with the public by claiming that it’s “veteran friendly.” But when it comes to matching that talk with actions, Verizon falls flat.

Verizon requires technicians and other workers to put in an excessive amount of mandatory, forced overtime hours, on short notice. That makes it very difficult to balance work and family life.

In Virginia, at a recent meeting of Verizon technicians with the company’s Vice-President of Field Operations Chris Childs, a technician pointed out that he just learned that they would be forced to work on Veterans Day. “Veterans Day…….that’s no big deal,” Childs declared.

Maybe Veterans Day doesn’t count for much in Verizon’s corporate suites, but to the workers who get the job done at Verizon every day, thousands of whom are veterans, it means a lot.

In Virginia, where Verizon executives apparently think Veterans Day is no big deal, there are community parades, events at Veterans’ cemeteries and charitable drives across the state. One of the most nationally recognized is held at Arlington National Cemetery where each year a wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"On Veterans Day, we honor those who have served and those who have fallen protecting our nation. As a veteran I am disgusted to hear someone dismiss the holiday as 'no big deal. It disrespects a sacrifice many have made for our country," Richard Hatch, President of Local 2201 said.

“CWA knows that Veterans’ Day is a time for remembering the sacrifice and commitment of so many. It’s a solemn day of remembrance and service across our country. Everywhere, it would seem, except at Verizon headquarters,” said CWA District 2-13 Vice President Ed Mooney.

Here’s some advice for Verizon. Don’t spend a lot of money on advertising this Veterans Day, bragging about your support for veterans, because we’ve already heard that, to you, “Veterans Day, that’s no big deal.”

Contact: Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org