Over 60,000 Verizon and AT&T employees are currently working without a contract as negotiation talks have stalled between management and the unions. Previous telecom strikes have caused stock markets to react sharply, but the lack of reaction by investors and analysts is indicative of the decline of wired landlines and the increase of advanced telecommunication software. As telecommunication companies move to wireless and other digital offerings, unions have less bargaining power. Technical advancements have also reduced workforces.
See "Unions’ Decline Shows as Wall Street Shrugs Over Telecom Talks", Paul Barbagallo and John Fahnenstiel, August 12, 2015