The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has reported that Verizon sent a letter to striking workers encouraging them to cross their picket line. At 36,000 employees, the strike is the biggest American work stoppage since 2011 and, according to experts, it could have far-reaching effects on both workers and employers.

“I think the workers feel pretty threatened and would be willing to hold out for a fairly long time,” says Jeremy Schwartz, associate professor of economics at Loyola University. In April, all along the East Coast, unionized workers walked off the job, citing layoffs that led to longer work hours and less job security. They also said employees are being forced to work out-of-state positions for extended periods of time. Striking workers are not being paid and the company recently cut off their health benefits, a move Schwartz says could play a dramatic role in the success of their efforts. “These are not upper-class workers, so I’m sure the time that they’ve had off of work is already pretty painful,” he says. “The fact that they’re willing to go this long is a testament to how threatened they feel.”

While Verizon issued a statement saying they have offered workers a 7.5% salary increase over the next three years with no layoffs as a final offer, sources say the strike could continue for some time.

Nearly 40,000 Verizon workers went on strike on the morning of April 13. Workers representing the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) gathered in midtown Manhattan and more than 20 other locations, from Massachusetts to Virginia. Verizon management failed to negotiate terms for a satisfactory contract, which expired in August. In the meantime, the communications giant has trained thousands of non-union workers and moved staff to other locations to fill spots made vacant by picketers.

The company made $39 billion in profits over the last three years—and $1.8 billion a month in profits in the first three months of 2016. Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam made $18 million last year, more than 200 times the compensation of the average Verizon employee. “Verizon needs to end its push to send jobs overseas, cut retirement benefits and gut job security, and stop intimidating Verizon workers, who are compelled to move away from their homes and families for months at a time just to keep their jobs.” says Christian Sweeney, Deputy Director of Organizing, AFL-CIO. “Today, employees are not only fighting for a fair contract but fighting to create a better workplace for every working family.”

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