On April 14, 2016, the company also announced switching part of its call center business to the Philippines. Last week, the CWA team that comprised four members along with UNI global union, and Philippines-based union KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno) representatives took a trip to the vicinity. These members explored that the company does not only operate in more than announced call centers, but also pays only $1.78 per hour and that too without any overtime compensation. During the visit, the company called upon security since the union had breached its vicinity.
Later on, CWA’s Mr. Shelton stated strict remarks over the company’s attitude. He stated: “Executives repeatedly have claimed that Verizon offshores few jobs, and none that affect our members. Recently, our union was contacted by call center workers in the Philippines who revealed that Verizon was lying to our members and the public about the extent of the off-shoring of good American jobs, so we sent four CWA members to the Philippines to learn the truth.” Further expressing his distrust, he said: “When our members uncovered how Verizon is padding its incredible profit margins by replacing good paying American jobs with poverty-wage jobs abroad, Verizon sent armed guards and a SWAT team after them.”
He continued: “Worse, Verizon has doubled down on its deception, claiming workers were on a ‘vacation.’ Let’s be clear: being on strike, exposing Verizon’s lies about off-shoring and being harassed by Verizon armed security guards is no vacation. Striking men and women from Massachusetts to Virginia are standing up for their families, their customers and to save middle class jobs for all Americans.”