Bernie Sanders pickets with Verizon workers in New York City

Bernie Sanders keeps his promises. As close to 40,000 Verizon employees, represented by the Communication Workers of America union, lock horns with Verizon in a major contract battle, Sanders has been consistent in his support. Writing Verizon employees last summer before their contract expired, the Vermont senator reportedly said, "I am hopeful you will reach a fair contract. But if you run into roadblocks, as in years past, know that I will be there with you until a fair contract is negotiated."

Making good on his word, Sanders appeared Monday at a Verizon workers picket line in New York City, where he spoke for about 10 minutes. It is quite rare for a presidential candidate to join a worker protest against a major U.S. business; Sanders' campaign told The Huffington Post that they believe he is the first major Democratic candidate to do so since Jesse Jackson in 1988.

Sanders is no stranger to picket lines; last year he walked with workers of telecom company FairPoint Communications, where 1,700 employees were on strike.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"This is what we should demand of candidates who say they're for working people — that they take a stand and that they're proud to do it," Sanders' adviser Larry Cohen said.