Judge tells strikers to not block Verizon entrances

August 10, 2011 12:42 pm
  • CWA Vice President Thomas Crawford waits for Verizon President and CEO Lowell McAdam, rumored to be coming to speak with hundreds of striking workers gathered outside the company's building on Seventh Avenue, Downtown.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    CWA Vice President Thomas Crawford waits for Verizon President and CEO Lowell McAdam, rumored to be coming to speak with hundreds of striking workers gathered outside the company's building on Seventh Avenue, Downtown.
  • CWA representative Michael Sosak rallies hundreds of striking Verizon workers outside the company's building on Seventh Avenue, Downtown.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    CWA representative Michael Sosak rallies hundreds of striking Verizon workers outside the company's building on Seventh Avenue, Downtown.
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By Paula Reed Ward / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

An Allegheny County judge today signed an order prohibiting striking Verizon workers from blocking the entrance to any company offices or job sites.

The order, signed by Judge Michael E. McCarthy, specifies that the unionized workers with the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, are enjoined from "picketing, other than peacefully, and by no more than six pickets spaced, at any entrance to any Verizon facilities . . . or at any worksite of any Verizon employee or contractor performing company work."

In addition, the order prohibits the strikers from "interfering with business, by threatening, obstructing, intimidating or harassing" customers or other employees.

Verizon filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on Monday in response to the strike, which began at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. It covers 45,000 unionized employees from Massachusetts to Virginia.

Hundreds of workers rallied Downtown on Monday and today on Seventh Avenue.

The union said the company wants to contract out work repairing and maintaining its telephone lines, as well as the installation of the fiber-optic FIOS system that carries phone, Internet and television service.

The striking workers also include those in call centers, business center workers and employees who work on Verizon company vehicles.

As part of the court order, Verizon is required to file a $25,000 bond with the court, which would cover any costs associated with having law enforcement on hand to enforce the injunction.

Identical orders were also issued this morning in Washington and Westmoreland counties.


First Published August 10, 2011 12:42 pm

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