45,000 Verizon workers will return to work on Tuesday after a two-week strike. The workers went on strike over contract issues, which included what they called unreasonable demands by Verizon. The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represent the workers, said that the strike had to do with the bargaining process, and that they feel the company is willing to come to the table and bargain fairly. Verizon says that the current wages and benefits are not sustainable, and that the workers need to make concessions. The strike caused delays to service and led to complaints from customers.
See "Verizon employees to return to work", Brady Dennis, The Washington Post, August 21, 2011