Just got this from Virginia Young Democrats:Just got this from Virginia Young Democrats:
Food Drive for Striking Verizon Workers: "Bring a Can" Happy Hour
Thursday, August 7th, 6 – 9 pm
Jay's Saloon, 3114 N. 10th St., Arlington, VA (2 blocks from the Clarendon Metro)VAYD is showing our support for local Verizon workers by hosting a food drive. Tens of thousands of Verizon workers across the Mid Atlantic - including thousands in the metro Washington area – voted to authorize a strike if agreement is not reached on a new contract. The workers - represented by CWA and IBEW - have vowed to walk out if Verizon does not back off on demands for sharp increases in health care payments and reductions.
Please help us support the workers and their families by donating non-perishable food items. VAYD Labor Caucus is hosting a "Bring a Can" Happy Hour Thursday August 7 at Jay's Saloon. Please contact Amanda Wolfe, VAYD Labor Caucus Chair, if you have any questions. (Even if the contract is settled, we can still share the donations with area food banks to help feed neighbors in need.)
The Green Miles is always happy to do the right thing if it involves cheese fries and a pitcher at Jay's! Additional details on the potential strike after the jump.
* Members of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted to authorize a strike if an agreement can not be reached on a contract.
* The labor contracts for 65,000 workers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast expired after midnight Sunday, nearly 13,000 of those employees are in the District, Maryland and Virginia. Over 65,000 members of the Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers had planned to strike after their five-year contract expired at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. But union officials announced early Sunday a decision to "stop the clock" and postpone the strike. While without a contract workers are facing a strike at any time if negotiations break down.
* Donations made to the food drive will be made to CWA District 2: District 2 is responsible for servicing all CWA locals in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. There are 76 locals in our district representing more than 35,000 workers in private and public sector employment.
* Issues at stake are health care benefits, concessions in pensions, subcontracting and outsourcing of jobs and job security.