As the Northeast contract between Verizon and members of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers approached expiration Aug. 1, union representatives announced their members, who recently voted 86 percent to authorize a strike, would work without a contract as negotiations continue with the communications giant. The contract covers some 39,000 workers in nine states from Massachusetts to Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Hundreds of CWA and IBEW members denounced Verizon’s proposed concessions at a rally in downtown Boston July 30, above, chanting, “When we fight, we win.” Members of the school bus drivers and hotel workers unions, Service Employees International Union and others joined in support.

Verizon, which had a net income of $4.35 billion in the second quarter, is demanding increased health care contributions and concessions on pensions. “In case talks stall, Verizon has been training thousands of nonunion workers to fill in for the unionized workforce in the event of a strike,” the Wall Street Journal reported Aug. 2.