Following is a statement by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers:

For release 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Members of CWA and IBEW at Verizon Communications will return to work on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at which time the contract will be back in force for an indefinite period.



We have reached agreement with Verizon on how bargaining will proceed and how it will be restructured. The major issues remain to be discussed, but overall, issues now are focused and narrowed.



We appreciate the unity of our members and the support of so many in the greater community. Now we will focus on bargaining fairly and moving forward.



CWA and IBEW represent 45,000 workers at Verizon covered by this contract from Virginia to New England.