Verizon employees rally in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Members of two unions representing Verizon wire line employees rallied at a Springfield union hall Thursday.

The local Teamsters 404 hosted the event for local members of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers and the Communication Workers of America.

Employees listened in on a live telephone update as their union leaders bargained with Verizon in Rye, New York.

The employees went on strike back in August over bargaining conditions and have been working without a contract ever since.

Frank Rossi says, “Somebody's not going to get sick? A child of theirs is not going to sick and they'll not need to take time off and not lose money? I mean, these people have lost touch of what it actually means to be a blue collar worker in this country. “

Verizon corporate spokesman Phil Santoro released a statement to 22News, saying the company's union employees have competitive pay and benefits, and will continue to once a final agreement is reached.