ABC27 WHTM Verizon employees strike a second day

Verizon employees strike a second day

Verizon employees in Harrisburg hit the picket line for a second day Monday. Failed labor talks have nearly 45,000 Verizon workers on strike across the country.

"They truly want to gut our contract, and it's just unacceptable," Sue Price said.

Holding up signs and wearing all red, frustrated employees stood outside Verizon regional offices in Strawberry Square. Some cars passing by showed support by honking.

"I think it's awesome, everybody honking," said one picketer.

Health care coverage, outsourcing jobs and pension benefits are just a few key issues causing the standoff between Verizon and union employees. Cathy Samarin and her husband have worked for the communications company for years. She said she feels their livelihoods are threatened with Verizon's proposed labor deal.

"We're giving them what they need to make their money and to make them successful. Why do they have to take it out on us? I don't understand that," Samarin said.

Answers to questions were hard to come by. Verizon management in Harrisburg asked abc27 News to leave the premises.

Philadelphia area Verizon spokesman Harry Mitchell, however, spoke about concerns over losing business.

"You've got competition from cable companies, from Vonage, Skype, MagicJack, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, you name it," he said.

Verizon customers could feel some backlash. Fios cable installations and customer service calls could be delayed.

"I don't know how it can't be affected," Price said, "but unfortunately, this is what we had to do to get Verizon to come to the bargaining table and bargain seriously."

The lines of communication have been cut, for now. Workers say they'll fight until Verizon executives listen up.

"It really makes me proud to say that I'm an American," Price said. "I can still do this."

Verizon's financial figures have been firing up striking employees. The company earned $3.2 billion last quarter despite shrinking landline sales, and reportedly paid out $258 million last year to its top five executives.