Verizon workers can now be fired if they fix copper phone lines

Verizon has told its field technicians in Pennsylvania that they can be fired if they try to fix broken copper phone lines. Instead, employees must try to replace copper lines with a device that connects to Verizon Wireless’s cell phone network. The wireless home phone service, VoiceLink, is not a proper replacement for copper phone lines because it doesn’t work with security alarms, fax machines, medical devices such as pacemakers that require telephone monitoring, and other services, the union said. If VoiceLink is available and there is “trouble… in the Verizon [copper] network,” the technician must install the wireless service. AdvertisementAnother memo tells workers that they should only restore copper phone service if they can verify that the wireless VoiceLink won't work.