After several cancelled negotiating sessions between the two sides (which haven't met since our story was published), CWA last week called for a strike authorization vote that was approved by 94 percent of voting members. CWA Area Director Libby Sayre and Nick Peraino, a CWA shop steward at Local 1021, say the vote repudiates Sanchez's characterization that it is a small but vocal group that is unhappy with management.

"We're very much united in our position and our willingness to do what it takes to get a decent contract," Peraino told us. Sayre told the Guardian, "There is widespread sentiment they're being low-balled by management."