MYFOXNY.COM - Thousands of union members from many states are expected at rally outside Verizon corporate headquarters. The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union rally took place at the headquarters on 140 West Street along Barclay Street. The rally comes one week before the expiration of collective bargaining agreements covering 45,000 Verizon workers from Massachusetts to Virginia, 15,000 of which come from the New York area. Verizon says it spends about $4 billion annually, about $400,000 an hour on healthcare and says the cost continues to rise. The company says their proposal will still ensure that employee benefits remain near the top of those offered by comparable companies. Union officials say Verizon has made $19 billion in profits over the last four years and are demanding a pension freeze and slashing healthcare coverage to name a few of the issues. Union officials say Verizon’s demands are an attack on middle-class jobs.