Verizon union rallies for Square facility

On Wednesday, September 10, angry Verizon workers will join together in opposition of the proposed sale of the 60,000 square foot facility in Westchester Square.

“It’s just a shame what they want to do,” Robert Shannon, vice president of the Communication Workers of America, the union that represents Verizon, said. “It’s just a disgrace.”

From noon to 1 p.m. community members, elected officials and site employees will gather in front of the building and show Verizon they aren’t backing down.

Also concerned with the increasingly controversial sale, Councilman Jimmy Vacca said, “After so many years supporting Westchester Square’s merchants and serving the residents of the Bronx, our local Verizon workers deserve the chance to stay in the borough.”

While Vacca added his preference is for the site’s 300 workers to stay at the 2510 Westchester Avenue site, and continue contributing to the ongoing revitalization of the Square, should Verizon sell, he’s urging the communication giant to relocate the employees nearby.

“It remains extremely important that we keep these hundreds of jobs in the Bronx, so these loyal employees who’ve given so much to the local community are not forced to upend their lives,” he continued.

Equally important to the local elected officials and future successes of Westchester Square is the entity that will occupy the location, should Verizon sell.

“If Verizon determines it must vacate this location, it has a responsibility to make sure whoever acquires the property will adhere to the vision that the Westchester Square merchants have painstakingly set out for their business district,” Vacca explained.

While Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mike Benedetto and the councilman have all shown their strong opposition to a social service agency or medical facility occupying the space, a recent meeting with Verizon representatives gave them no guarantees.

Angered by their lack of confirmation on this issue, John Bonizio, president of the Westchester Square Merchants Association, which is currently in the process of forming a Business Improvement District, is hopeful that some sort of agreement is reached in a timely manner. 

If the building is sold, Bonizio’s top concern is bringing in a top-notch retailer that will attract even more shoppers to replace those lost by the displacement of Verizon workers. 

“The most important thing for me is to maintain the integrity and progress of Westchester Square,” he said.

For Shannon, however, there’s no question as to what should happen with the space.

“We shop here. We live here. So why would they want someone they don’t know,” he inquired about the community’s response to who could become a questionable tenant.

Nonetheless, he stated, “We’re digging in. We’re not going down without a fight.”

 

Verizon, Westchester Square, building, sale, Robert Shannon, Communication Workers of America