Verizon Managers Step Up to Serve Customers Even as Criminal Acts of Sabotage Increase During Union Strike

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon managers continue to step up to provide solid service on day five of a strike by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, answering customers' calls, performing general customer service and responding to an increasing number of incidents of sabotage.

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The company's call centers answered 91 percent of incoming calls on Wednesday, and Verizon management employees have repaired dozens of acts of sabotage to its network facilities since Aug. 6. In the face of adverse conditions, Verizon managers continue to increase their productivity while focusing on restoring customers' service.

"Our management team is doing an outstanding job of serving customers despite some strikers' attempts to obstruct our efforts," said Bob Mudge, Verizon president of consumer and mass markets. "We are committed to meeting customers' needs, and we're hearing from many of them that we're doing just that."

Verizon has received dozens of calls, emails and notes online thanking the company and its employees for responding to their customer service issues. One customer, Eric from Massachusetts, wrote: "I just wanted to send a quick 'Thank you' to you and your teams that restored service to our neighborhood earlier today. It's nice to see management can still do the jobs of their regular associates. Hats off for a job well done."

Since Aug. 6, Verizon crews have encountered more than 90 acts of sabotage against network facilities. These acts temporarily affected service to thousands of customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including police stations and other emergency responders. In most of these cases, crews restored service within 24 hours.

Verizon has put forth a fair and reasonable contract proposal and the company will negotiate in good faith.  Often recognized as a great place to work, Verizon provides competitive pay and benefits.  The company's contract proposal strives to ensure that union-represented employees continue to receive compensation and benefits that are competitive with those at comparable companies.

The company continues working toward reaching a new contract that reflects today's economic realities in the wireline business and addresses the needs of all parties.  

SOURCE Verizon Communications