August, 2011
Buffalo, NY – Striking Verizon workers across New York State must scale back their picketing. Verizon requested an injunction against the strikers in New York and Delaware.
The company sought the injunctions to prevent what it has cited as illegal and reprehensible strike activities and strikers blocking building entrances. Verizon claims there have been "acts of sabotage" against those trying to perform work for the company.
Verizon says since August 6th, crews have encountered more than 90 acts of sabotage against network facilities.
Striking workers have been accused of firing a BB gun at a worker in the Bronx. Other strikers have blocked trucks from getting into Verizon facilities. Verizon said it is working with the FBI and is offering $50,000 reward in connection with incidents in Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Picket lines in Amherst were limited Thursday under the statewide injunction. The striking workers are represented by the CWA and IBEW.
In a joint statement issued earlier this week, the unions said they do not condone violence of any kind and expected members to follow the law. The CWA also reported that there were at least 23-reported incidents in which striking workers were hit by a car or just missed being hit by a vehicle while picketing outside a Verizon location.
On Monday in Amherst two picketers at Verizon's Millersport Highway location say they were injured after a car drove through their picket line.