[7] Verizon workers had been without a contract since August 2015 due to a disagreement about support services being outsourced to call centers in the Philippines, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, a cap placed on pensions, and cuts to their benefits.
[8] Union leaders refused to accept a new contract citing multiple issues, including pensions, healthcare, work assignments, job security, and wages.
Verizon also forced their full time employees to perform the striking members duties, training them for the various jobs at the National Conference Center in Virginia.
[citation needed] However, officials at Verizon claimed that replacement technicians were harassed and intimidated by striking workers.
In April, Sanders joined a picket line in New York City and gave a speech praising the workers for having the "courage" to strike.