Dozens of Verizon workers in Utica will be picketing today, with the clock ticking on
contract negotiations.

Last week, 91-percent of the Communications Workers of America's 50-thousand members
voted to authorize a strike if negotiations fail to produce a new contract by midnight on
Saturday.

That's when the current deal expires.

The pickets at the Verizon locations of Broad Street and Genesee Street are two of over
150 being held across the state today.