Verizon on the attack

NOTE:
You've come to an old part of SW Online. We're still moving this and other older stories into our new format. In the meanwhile, click here to go to the current home page.

Using USA PATRIOT to protect corporate profits
Verizon on the attack

July 4, 2003 | Page 4

Dear Socialist Worker,

I have seen the new face of terrorism--and I'm afraid I'm it. I am an employee of Verizon in New York City, and our current contract is expiring August 2.

In preparation for this, the company showed us a video to warn us about vandalizing or sabotaging phone cables. This by itself is no big deal, but in the video, a member of the Secret Service informed us that under the USA PATRIOT Act, sabotaging phone cables is now considered a terrorist act, and they will be involved with the investigation.

It's really scary and obscene to see what the laws of this country are really there for--the protection of capitalism by the continued oppression of the working class.

We were also shown propaganda on the harm that people being without phone service can cause--not being able to call 911 in an emergency, etc. But I guess that when your phone is out of service, and Verizon tells you they'll come to repair it in a month, that's okay.

I think that the true extent of the USA PATRIOT Act has yet to be seen, so beware: you might be the next terrorist.

Paul Grohman, CWA Local 1101, New York City

Home page | Back to the top