Verizon Reports Labor Progress

Verizon Communications said it made significant progress with its unions on the issue of organizing workers in its wireless unit on the fifth day of a strike by 87,000 telephone operators and line technicians. “This progress should clear the way for us to begin finalizing the language of a contract with the unions . . . in short order,” Verizon spokesman Eric Rabe said. Despite progress on what the company called one of the most difficult issues in the negotiations, the Communications Workers of America said disagreements remained regarding the movement of work throughout the company, forced overtime and Verizon’s use of subcontractors. The company and the CWA declined to provide details about the wireless issue. The other union in talks with the company, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, could not be reached for comment after the latest development. Shares of Verizon rose $1.75 to close at $42.13 on the New York Stock Exchange.