BREAKING: Verizon, Unions Reach Agreement To End Strike, Feds Say

By ERIC KIEFER (Patch Staff)

Verizon and the unions representing almost 40,000 of its striking workers have reached a tentative agreement to end one of the largest labor disputes in modern American history, according to a high-ranking federal official.

Verizon's striking employees are expected to be back on the job next week, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez said in a statement Friday.

The affected workers, members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), have been striking since April 13.

“I am pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract, resolving the open issues in the ongoing labor dispute between Verizon’s workers, unions, and management. The parties are now working to reduce the agreement to writing, after which the proposal will be submitted to CWA and IBEW union members for ratification," Perez said on Friday.

“Throughout the past 13 days of negotiations at the Department of Labor, I have observed firsthand the parties’ good faith commitment to narrowing differences and forging an agreement that helps workers and the company. The parties have a shared interest in the success of Verizon and its dedicated workforce. Indeed, these two interests are inextricably intertwined.

Editor's Note: This article is part of an ongoing series.Catch up on the latest news about the Verizon strike here.

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Photo courtesy of Stand Up to Verizon, Facebook