Striking Verizon workers plan massive protests for day of shareholders meeting

Unions representing striking Verizon workers say they are planning hundreds of protests for Thursday, when the company holds its annual shareholders meeting.

The Communications Workers of America said that “dozens” of striking workers would protest outside the meeting, in Albuquerque, N.M., while others inside will push their position in their capacity as shareholders. The organization said that 400 protests will take place around the country.

{mosads}The union says this is the first time protests will be taking place outside of the geographical areas where workers have been striking, mostly on the East Coast. Sites will include Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The protests come as the strike enters its fourth week. Workers claim that the company is trying to impose draconian benefit cuts and looking to move workers out of state for months at a time.

Verizon counters that the strike is a union tactic to throw a wrench in the works of contract negotiations. Last week, it made what an executive called their “last, best and final offer” to the workers.

Striking workers hail from the East Coast and mostly work for the company’s wireline business. Around 40,000 workers are estimated to be on strike.

Both Democratic presidential candidates have expressed support for the workers. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is endorsed by the Communications Workers of America, and a New York chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers backed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hours before she supported the strikers.