Thread regarding Verizon Communications Inc. layoffs

No one cares about your strike. If the garbage collectors went on strike, then people would care. If the transportation system shuts down due to a strike, people would care. They'd care because they are responsible. They know they need to get to work everyday to provide for their families, to keep roofs over their heads and food on the table. They need to make sure they and their families, their children, have Health insurance! You are blindly following these Union leaders who are making very bad decisions for you which are not in the best interests of your families. Can't you think for yourselves? No one is going to abandon their telephone numbers or email accounts because you don't like your 7% increase in pay over the next 3 years or your antiquated Benefits packages that is far better than most Americans. The CEO makes a ton of money and has negotiated free benefits as a part of his contract and you have to pay for yours. No one feels sorry for you, because again, you have a sweeter benefits package than most Americans. Verizon does not need all of you anymore because your jobs are becoming obsolete but they cannot fire those of you who have been with the company a long time because of your contracts. Did you ever think that they might be asking those of you who have NOT had enough time with the company to drive for up to 70 minutes so you could actually keep your jobs? Did you ever think they're asking you all to work temporary assignments out of state so you can keep your jobs? You need to work, and you need to go to work where there is work to be had. Verizon CAN fire you though in the event of a prolonged strike. Why would your Union leaders put you and your families in this position? It sounds to me that the Union Leaders are working with the Verizon executives very strategically to get rid of those of you who have been with the company a long time and have higher pay scales. Are the Union Leaders receiving income at this time or is it just you that are not? I cannot even believe that you're upset about excessive Overtime. Are you kidding me? You make a fortune in overtime. Most people are straight salaried and would thank their lucky stars to be paid for the long hours they put in. Think about this - Can you honestly tell yourself that you could go out tomorrow and find another job at your same pay scale if you are let go? Can you go out tomorrow and find another job with as great a Benefits package as you have now if you keep this up and are let go? Are you covering your family, your children, on COBRA now or is that far too expensive? Guess what - that is just a fraction of what Verizon pays for your insurance per month. Or, are you caring for your family by letting them go without health insurance? What if something happens to you now? Do you have an additional life insurance policy or was the only one you had the one that has now been terminated? What will happen to your families if something happens to you now? You need to think long and hard about your priorities. Verizon should not be expected to pay the health benefits of non-workers. You have made the choice to put you and your families welfare in jeopardy. For those of you who are financially stable and could go months on strike and still be comfortable and are treating this strike as a vacation, SHAME ON YOU! Shame on you for putting your co-workers who can't make ends meet now in the situation that is devastating their families. You're not displaying Solidarity, what you and your Union Leaders are displaying is narcissism and a complete lack of empathy for your Union "brother" and "sisters". There are 50,000 lives that are affected by the UNIONS refusal to be reasonable and find a way to resolve the issues facing both sides, as the actions of your Union Leaders and those on strike are a display of arrogance and contempt for the hand that keep a roof over your children's heads, food on their table, clothes on their back and medical insurance in times of need. Where have all of your Union Dues gone? Why isn't there a strike fund in place? Isn't that what Union Dues are for? Why are your Union Leaders asking you to risk the welfare of your families for a prolonged period of time at no pay? You have a CHOICE. YOU are in control of and responsible for YOUR OWN ACTIONS! You are putting your welfare and the welfare of those you love in jeopardy for some misguided allegiance to the Union and it's leaders. If the Union Leaders were struggling and running out of money to pay their rent/mortgages, you bet your bottom dollar they'd have called in mediators already. They're not though, are they? The Company has nothing to lose by losing you, but most of you have a lot to lose by not being employed by The Company. I don't have any respect for anyone who would put their families welfare in jeopardy because the Union Leaders said so. What did your Bargaining Committee propose to the Company that would provide significant savings in healthcare? Have they filled you in on their negotiations? Some strikers can't pay their housing anymore, are running out of money to put food on the table, putting their family's, their children's health care at risk, just because they're following the "Leaders". Pathetic. Irresponsible. Irrational. Disloyal to your families. Go back to work!