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Democracy Now!

Verizon Workers Launch Largest U.S. Strike In Years

About 36,000 Verizon workers have gone on strike along the East Coast, from Massachusetts to Virginia, marking one of the biggest U.S. strikes in years. Verizon has sought to cut pensions and ease the outsourcing of work. In New York City, Verizon worker Gail Rodgers spoke out.

Both Democratic presidential candidates joined Verizon workers on the picket lines in New York City. Speaking in his home borough of Brooklyn, Sanders criticized Verizon.

On Wednesday evening, Bernie Sanders drew one of his largest crowds to date in New York City’s Washington Square Park. His campaign put the crowd at 27,000 people. The entire front section appeared to be striking Verizon workers. Meanwhile, Verizon’s CEO hit back at Sanders in a blog post, calling the senator’s views "contemptible." Hillary Clinton’s critics have pointed out the Clinton campaign has received tens of thousands of dollars from Verizon executives and lobbyists. Verizon paid Clinton $225,000 for a 2013 speech. On Wednesday, Sanders won the endorsement of the New York City transit workers union, while Clinton was backed by an electrical workers union.

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