Binghamton Verizon Employees Working Without Contract

Thousands of Verizon workers in New York and several other states are prepared to go on strike.

The company's contract with unionized employees expired on August 1. Members of the Communications Workers of America have authorized a strike but they haven't walked off the job yet.

Some union members held a rally August 7 outside the Verizon building on Henry Street in downtown Binghamton to publicize the dispute with the company.

Union leaders contend Verizon representatives have refused to engage in "serious bargaining" to develop a "fair contract."

Verizon said the company spent "six weeks of good faith bargaining" in an effort to reach new agreements with more than 37,000 employees.

The company also said it has taken steps to ensure its customers will not be "impacted by any potential work stoppage."

Verizon said non-union employees and company business partners have undergone training to maintain operations in the event of a strike.

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