by KYW's Steve Tawa
Verizon workers locally -- and throughout the northeastern United States -- are threatening to strike at midnight Saturday, when their current contract expires.
A company operations center at 9th and Race Streets, in the heart of Philadelphia's Chinatown, was the scene on Friday of a union rally by the Communications Workers of America:
"Verizon, can you hear us now? What do we want? Contract. When do we want it? Now."
CWA Local 13000 executive vice president Tom Crawford says the union is resisting Verizon management's move to make workers and retirees pay more for their health care, to cut pay, and to move jobs to lower paid parts of the company -- or out of the country:
"The company wants to take your health care, job security, and your future from you and your family."
Company spokeswoman Sharon Shaffer says the switching and repair technicians, installers, and call center reps are the best-compensated in the telecom industry.
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