Questions about striking Verizon workers trip to Philippines

Verizon landline workers remain on strike six weeks into a contract dispute which the union said is less about wages and more about the corporation's practices of increasing jobs being performed overseas.

To prove this point, four members of the Communications Workers of America, which represents the 36,000 striking employees, went to the Philippines, where Verizon operates a call center.

"We learned a lot and learned this company will really stop at nothing to make a buck," said Tim Dubnau, an organizing coordinator for the CWA." And even though they're making $1.5 billion a month, it's not enough for them."

The four CWA members, who were joined by workers from the Philippines, were outraged when their van was surrounded by Verizon security and later police. Dubnau called the reaction "outrageous."

In a statement, Verizon said the union members' actions do nothing to end the strike.

"Union members need to ask their leaders whether they really think this gimmick will lead to a new contract and bring our employees back to work where they get excellent wages, health care and retirement benefits," company spokesman Rich Young wrote.

Both parties are continuing negotiations in Washington, D.C. under Labor Secretary Thomas Perez.