NYT: Verizon Unions Postpone Strike, Citing Progress

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/nyregion/04verizon.html?ref=nyregion

By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: August 4, 2008

Two unions representing 65,000 workers at Verizon postponed a strike threatened for Sunday morning, citing progress in late night labor negotiations.

The main union at Verizon, the Communications Workers of America, issued a statement soon after the 12:01 a.m. deadline, saying it would “stop the clock” and that negotiations would to resume later on Sunday.

The contract covers workers from Maine to Virginia who are represented by the Communications Workers as well as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

At 12:21 a.m. Sunday, the Communications Workers reported progress on several major issues, including protecting health care coverage for active and retired workers and strengthening job security provisions in the contract.

That union, which represents 50,000 of Verizon’s 65,000 unionized workers, was holding talks in Rye, N.Y., and Washington.

In a statement issued several minutes later, Verizon said, “We continue to negotiate in good faith to achieve new contracts for our employees.”

FULL story at link.