Opinion

A  group of twenty Verizon technicians and two other employees who formerly worked for Verizon Select Services (VSSI) have voluntarily gained union recognition from Verizon management.

Concerned about security and the lack of any "say so" in their future, the former VSSI techs began signing union cards several months ago. Once they established that a strong majority desired collective bargaining rights and union representation, union leaders requested recognition from Verizon management.

Rising costs of food and housing; attacks on healthcare reform and worker's rights; gentrification continuing the displacement of communities that have been the cultural backbone of neighborhoods; criminalization of immigrants through violence, intimidation, and policing of borders. All of these crises have root causes which are systemic and institutional in nature.

Last year, Massachusetts taxpayers sent $19.9 billion to the Pentagon to fund the trillion dollar wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, sustain over 800 military bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Afghanistan and other countries all around the world, and “improve” our vast stockpile of nuclear weapons – among a number of other very expensive projects.

Massachusetts also gives much more than money: 105 Massachusetts soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and over 600 have been wounded. Hundreds of military families, friends and neighbors are left in pain and turmoil.

Audio recording of a panel discussion on Digital Media and Popular Uprisings featuring Ethan Zuckerman of Global Voices and the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Jillian York of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, and Suren Moodliar of Massachusetts Global Action and the Majority Agenda Project on March 31, 2011 at the University Hall Amphitheater at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, USA. The event was sponsored by Open Media Boston and Lesley University. 40 people were in attendance.