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Verizon Goes To Court Over Workers' Strike In New York, New Jersey & Other States

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Verizon says striking workers have taken their demonstrations too far, and the telecommunications company is pursuing legal action in five Eastern states -- including New York and New Jersey -- to limit picketing and stop what it claims is harassment, possible sabotage and blocking access to its facilities.

The company sought a court order Wednesday in New York and got one Monday in Pennsylvania.

A Verizon Communication Inc. spokesman says the company got a similar order Wednesday in Delaware and has legal action going in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Harassment, possible sabotage and even blocking access to its facilities are some of the accusations levied by Verizon.

However, union spokesman Bob Masters said there are two sides to the story.

"I do think that the company confuses militancy and anger and the truth is that we have had two dozen incidents in which company managers have driven recklessly through picket lines, have hit our picketers who are on picket lines -- a couple have gone to the hospital, " Masters told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck.

1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck Speaks With Union Spokesman Bob Masters

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Masters said that the union does not "condone any illegal actions."

"The union has been very clear that we have instructed our members to behave professionally on the picket line and to abide by the law," he said.

Some 45,000 Verizon landline workers struck Sunday from Massachusetts to Virginia.

The New York-based company says managers have filled in for the striking workers.

Who do you blame for the dispute between Verizon and its workers?  Share your thoughts in the comments section...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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