Elizabeth Warren Joins Verizon Workers on Cambridge Picket Line

Cambridge, MA - U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined striking Verizon workers on the picket line in Cambridge Monday, one of several prominent Democrats to align themselves with the labor movement.

Warren joined the striking workers less than a week after nearly 40,000 Verizon workers walked off their jobs and onto picket lines April 13. It is considered the largest work stoppage of any U.S. industry in years, as organizers say they're pushing for better pay and more job security.

• RELATED: Verizon Strike: Why Unions Are Reluctant To Walk Off Job

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have both come out in support of the strike, and former President Bill Clinton joined Verizon workers on the picket line in Buffalo Monday.

The Massachusetts senator was also one of 20 U.S. Senators who signed a March 18 letter calling on New Jersey-based Verizon to “act as a responsible corporate citizen and negotiate a fair contact with the employees who make your success possible.”

Verizon, for its part, has brought in non-union replacement workers to bridge the gap, and has released statements contesting the unions' claims.

On Marathon Monday, I.B.E.W. Local 2222 asked striking workers not to protest in the city of Boston, and picket instead at other locations nearby. The local union is calling for a Boston rally Thursday at Copley Square.

>> Top photo by Mike Carraggi