Verizon Communications, Inc. and two unions tentatively agreed to a new three-year contract Sunday, averting the possibility of a 65,000-worker strike, scheduled to begin today. Under the contract, Verizon agrees to a 10.5% wage increase over three years, the creation of 2,500 new jobs, and the continuation of fully-paid health insurance premiums. Already, the CWA has cited the contract as a ?breakthrough agreement.? Workers will vote on the contract over the next few weeks.
See "Verizon, 2 unions agree to new 3-year contracts", Times Wire Services, Los Angeles Times, August 10, 2008