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Verizon Workers Throughout Philadelphia Region Prepare For Potential Strike

By Justin Udo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Union members working for Verizon in nine states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, have voted to authorize a strike, if necessary. Negotiations are still underway, but a potential strike could affect thousands of the company's employees in the Philadelphia area.

Eighty-six percent of unionized Verizon workers voted "yes" to authorize a strike, if necessary, on their contract, which expires August 1.

The unions say the company is demanding workers sharply increase their health care contributions and make concession on their pensions. That does not sit well with many of the workers.

"Just to keep what we already have and not let them to take it away from us because they want more profits," says one Verizon employee.

"They're not going to stand for the concessionary demands the company has put on the table," says another.

The contract covers 39,000 employees who work for Verizon's wireline business, which provides fixed-line phone services and FiOS Internet service.

Verizon spokesman John Bonomo says in some areas, Verizon isn't doing well at all and they are very well aware of that as they enter contract negotiations.

"It's a tough business these days with a lot of competition," he says, "and it's something where we need to manage our costs and manage our workforce."

Bonomo says the union turned down a really good contract offer earlier this summer, which included 4% raises.

"We want to make sure that our employees continue to get the best benefits possible," he says, "and a good wage."

Nearly 45,000 Verizon workers went on strike in August 2011 for about two weeks.

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