Stand strong, Verizon.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Tens of thousands of striking workers from Verizon Communications will lose their medical benefits if they’re still picketing at the end of the month, the telephone service provider said Wednesday.

“I can confirm that the 45,000 striking Verizon workers did receive a letter confirming a provision in their 2008 contract that stated in the event of a strike, medical benefits would be suspended on Aug. 31,” said Verizon spokesman Richard Young.

“This should not be a surprise,” said Young. “It’s part of the contract that they’ve agreed to.”

Verizon said that health care will still be available to striking employees through the federally mandated health insurance program known as COBRA.

“The only difference is that the cost will have to picked up by those who chose to walk off the job,” said Young. “We believe if the striking employees are not serving the customers, our customers should not be expected to pay their benefits.”

Candice Johnson, spokeswoman for the Communications Workers of America union, accused Verizon of using scare tactics.

“I’m not surprised that Verizon has taken this step,” she said. “Instead of bargaining seriously and move off the $20,000 in compensation cuts it’s demanding from every worker every year, Verizon is trying to scare workers.”