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Thank you all for being here to help restore the fire in the bellies of those who were losing interest and awaken those who are not aware of what the labor movement is all about. It is about solidarity, and this crowd gathered to support the plight of the workers at verizon makes solidarity shine. I am glad that I could get up here to be with you this evening to join you in raising the voices of working people everywhere against the excesses of greed -- the greed that we are witnessing in a company that has a net profit of millions of dollars, with projected profits of still more millions according to their own reports. Those profits permit perks for their top management that are thousands of times what they pay their employees -- employees who, by the way, make it possible for this company to earn the money. It is my understanding that they are training these same individuals to climb poles -- to make them available as strike breakers in case of a strike -- they had better be careful or the safety record that you have established and that they are proud of will be shattered.

I am here with you today to fight not just for our members who are employees of Verizon. But to join you in the fight for the principle that all working people deserve good jobs, fair pay decent benefits and a share of the American Dream. This fight -- like all labor struggles -- is for everybody who goes to work for a living.

Verizon has taken out ads -- very expensive ads -- trying to drive a wedge between you and other workers. The ads would have people believe that it was the companys generosity that has provided these wages and benefits. We all know that there was a fight for every dime that there is in that package, and nothing was given out of the goodness of their pea-sized hearts. They are trying to play the jealousy card, making other workers resent you for the pay and benefits that you -- and those who went before you -- fought for and earned.

Are you going to let them get away with it?

I didnt think so.

Verizon needs a history lesson. Unions came into existence because working people were tired of getting the crumbs that are brushed from managements table. Organized labor gained strength at the old New England Bell and other companies decades ago because workers wanted a fair share of the profits that their labor created.

Its no different today. The pay and benefits you make came about because of the struggles of generations past. You cannot be the generation of workers that gives up the dream. You cannot turn your backs on the principles that have sustained working families for years.

Verizon must think that the workers of Massachusetts and around the country are not paying attention. They think that because you make good pay and benefits, others will resent you. That is just not true. They are failing to see the real issue -- all workers deserve good wages for their labor.

One of the issues presently on the table is the result of an arbitration -- that was won by your union -- that protected jobs. That is what unions do, and that is what your union does for you. This issue of job security -- that they did not want to discuss a few months ago -- is now a top issue for Verizon in an attempt to get another bite at you and to get you to agree to something that they lost in the recent arbitration case. I can only echo what your Chairman said to me the other night in my office -- in true Myles Calvey form -- BULL SHIT.

Another one of the issues is health benefits. If we had a government that really cared enough about the issue, they would get off their backside and do something about the health care crisis in this country, instead of leaving it to labor and management to fight it out at every contract negotiation. If Verizon is serious about health insurance, well stand with them to fight for decent health benefits for all. But I dont see their corporate leaders or any other corporate leaders leading the charge on Capitol Hill on that issue.

They cant poormouth us. Verizons own press releases brag about their profitability and the amounts of money theyre investing in new services and how much theyre giving to various charities. Weve got a news release of our own for them -- charity begins at home and its your workers that provide you with the profits to allow you to be so generous to yourself and to others. So why not try a little generosity on your employees? Its great to help the community, -- the IBEW knows all about that -- but dont ask the workers whose labor made those donations and the big fat executive bonuses possible to continue to take the hit so that you can look and feel good. Let us feel good as well. Take care of your workers first, Verizon, because without us and working men and women like us -- you have no company.

We cannot -- nor will we -- stand by and watch the work of long-time union jobs be shifted to lower wage facilities in other parts of the country. Were not going to let the company leaders bleed Boston, New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore so they can line their own pockets and exploit lower paid workers in the South and West. Were not going to let them starve the core business while they try to keep us out of the growing area like wireless and broadband.

Its time this company realized that its their workers who have made the company a success. The sweat of your brow has kept Verizon strong while other companies are in turmoil. I know that you want only whats right and fair. We want to keep this industry a place where men and women can still make a decent living while helping the company grow. We dont need nor want to add Verizon to the long list of American companies that are running in a race to the bottom. We need to keep good jobs in the Northeast -- the kind that have sustained our communities for many years.

Thats what this is all about. Thats what were fighting for. Lets keep at it until we win because we know -- that we are right, and our cause is just.

VERIZION, WE WANT A CONTRACT AND WE WANT IT NOW!

WHAT DO WE WANT?

WHEN DO WE WANT IT?

Thank you, for standing up and God bless you.