Striking Verizon workers say Corridor area has been supportive

Striking Verizon workers in front of the company’s Fordson Road facility on Sunday.

As a small group of Verizon workers walked the picket line along a busy Fordson Road on Sunday afternoon, an SUV drove by and honked its horn. The driver raised his fist out the window in a show of support, and the strikers returned the salute and shouted thanks.

It’s a scene that Uriah Roberts, an 18-year employee of Verizon and a coordinator for Communication Workers of America Local 2222, said has played out numerous times since the labor stoppage began April 13.

“This my third work stoppage. This is pretty much the most support I’ve seen, right here, Fordson Road,” said Roberts, adding that some supporters have even brought the workers drinks and food. “It’s been pretty amazing.”

Indeed, during a 15-minute stretch on Sunday, at least five vehicles honked their horns and gestured in support of the group as the walked in front of the Verizon facility at 7309 Fordson Road. A number of local politicians have visited the workers too, including Va. State Delegates Mark Sickles (D-43) and Paul Krizek (D-44), and State Sen. Adam Ebbin. Krizek’s 44th district includes Fordson Road.

At least 36,ooo Verizon employees are on strike, mostly in East Coast states. It’s the biggest labor stoppage in the U.S. since 2011, and it’s attracted attention from presidential candidates, with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton joining protests last week.

Negotiations between the CWA, another union and Verizon broke down last week after months of talks. Among the sticking points between the two sides is Verizon’s outsourcing of jobs, more expensive benefits and changes to workers’ pensions.

Roberts emphasized that the workers were not on strike in an effort to gain higher pay or better benefits, but to defend what they already have.

“The main issue that we’re having right now is about paying more for our benefits, freezing our pensions,” Roberts said, who noted Verizon’s large recent profits. “We’re not saying we want more. Just the ability to keep what we have.”

This post has been updated to reflect that Paul Krizek represents the Fordson Road area in the Virginia House of Delegates.