About 80 telephone workers and community supporters rallied at a Verizon garage in Providence, RI on July 24, 2008 for a union contract that would ensure good wages, quality health care and secure pension benefits.  Union members are also fighting for the jobs of the future, as Verizon transitions from a traditional phone company to a high tech provider of video, Internet and wireless communications.

Supporters from the RI AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 94, Teamsters Local 251 and Jobs with Justice attended the rally.

This was the fifth "rolling rally" before the Verizon contract expires on Aug. 2. The final rally will be at Verizon's New England headquarters (185 Franklin Street, Boston) at 6:00 PM on July 31.

A large rally is also set for July 26 at Verizon's corporate headquarters in New York.

2008 Team Kate RidersTeam Kate was back in force for its 11^th year. A team of cyclists, led by Local 2222's Steve Smith, make an annual bike ride to raise awareness and funds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts.

This year Team Kate biked from Rye, New York to Middleton, Massachusetts (more than 300 miles) from July 18^th-20^th.  The team ended its second day of riding (approx. 100 miles) in Foxborough Massachusetts. An event was held to welcome the riders to Foxborough at Gillette Stadium.  The riders were met at the Foxborough town line by a Police and Fire escort and led to the stadium, where they were greeted by dozens of cheering supporters.  

The bike ride is in honor of Kate Smith of Methuen. Kate had her wish to go on a family trip to Disney World fulfilled by the Make-A-Wish Foundation in May 1995 when she was battling Hodgkin’s disease. Steve Smith of Methuen, Uncle of Kate Smith helps to organize the “Team Kate” bike ride to benefit the Foundation as a way to give back to the organization, which helped his niece and her family through a difficult time.

This event is in its 11^th year and has proven to have a great track record raising over $200,000 for the Foundation.  We expect it will be another outstanding year for 2008! Team Kate has dedicated this year’s ride to Foxborough’s Caroline Miller.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts has a simple mission -- to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Your continued support will help us reach our goal of granting over 340 wishes this year!

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Four Kenyan trade unionists will be visiting the Boston area on July 28 and 29, 2008.

The Kenyan's are from the telecommunications sector and are interested in learning about our approaches to organizing.  Last year their union initiated a campaign at Safaricom, which is 40% owned by Vodaphone.  Vodaphone is Verizon's partner in Verizon Wireless.

While in Boston they will visit with telecom workers, tour phone company facilities and participate in the Verizon contract campaign mobilization activities.

The Kenyan's visit to the United States is sponsored by the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center.  In Boston they will be hosted by IBEW Local 2222.

Please help welcome the Kenyan's to Boston at a special meeting and light lunch on Monday, July 28 at Noon at the IBEW Local 2222 Union offices, 1137 Washington Street, Lower Mills, Dorchester. 

Please RSVP to Rand Wilson at 617-929-6000 or rand@mindspring.com

Thank You