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Verizon and labor union reach deal in principle ending 6-week strike - report Verizon, labor union reach deal in principle ending 6-week strike
(35 minutes later)
Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez has announced that a deal has been reached between telecoms giant Verizon and unions representing 39,000 workers ending a six week strike over cuts to pensions and pay. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez has announced that a deal has been reached between telecommunications giant Verizon and unions representing 39,000 workers, ending a six-week strike over cuts to pensions and pay.
The strike started on April 13 when some 35,000 workers walked off the job, making it the largest strike in the US history. The striking workers included network technicians and customer service representatives in the company's Fios Internet, telephone and television services unit.   The strike started on April 13 when some 35,000 workers walked off the job, making it the largest strike in US history. The striking workers included network technicians and customer service representatives in the company's FIOS Internet, telephone and television services unit.  
Described by Perez as a "tentative resolution," Verizon’s workers, unions, and management have reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract. Described by Perez as a "tentative resolution," Verizon’s workers, unions and management have reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract.
"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," Perez said in a statement 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," Perez said in a statement Friday.
Perez also said that he expects "that workers will be back on the job next week," before commending all parties involved "for their commitment to resolving these difficult issues in the spirit of constructive engagement."Perez also said that he expects "that workers will be back on the job next week," before commending all parties involved "for their commitment to resolving these difficult issues in the spirit of constructive engagement."
The strike saw between 36,000 and 39,000 members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) argue that, with the company making $1.8 billion in profits a month, Verizon shouldn't cut pensions, benefits and pay.
There were reports of up to 57 “suspected incidents of sabotage” to Verizon equipment in the first two weeks of the strike alone, particularly in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts.
This included fiber optic cabling and phones lines being sliced or cut, causing power outages and services being dropped, including access to some 911 emergency services.
With strikers not in receipt of payment during this period classed as being unemployed during this period, it is also expected to affect the latest employment figures.
Nonfarm payroll growth is expected to be depressed in May’s figures by at least 35,000, according to Reuters.