With telecommunications giant Verizon Communications and striking unions exchanging charges and denials of vandalism and threats, negotiators still are seeking a formula to return to their jobs customer service workers from 12 states and the District of Columbia.
Today is the fourth day without a contract, the cause of the rancorous walkout.
The talks adjourned late Tuesday night with no evidence of progress, and more than 87,200 workers remained off the job, slowing down repair orders, installations and requests for directory assistance. The strike affects Verizon customers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Restraining Order Issued In New York, a judge issued a temporary restraining order against strikers after hearing that the company's supervisory workers had been threatened and assaulted. The judge ordered picketers to stay at least 10 feet from Verizon's worksites and buildings. The restraining order only affects picketers in New York state, although similar orders have been issued this week in Pennsylvania and Delaware.