June 17, 2016 -- One of the largest worker strikes in modern American history is officially over. On June 17, nearly 40,000 striking Verizon union members ratified a four-year contract with the communications giant, bringing an end to an epic labor standoff that spanned nearly two months.

Representatives with the two striking unions – the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Engineers (IBEW) – stated that their members, mostly workers in the company's wireline operations, "overwhelmingly" approved the new contracts. The new contracts went into effect immediately, Verizon reported.

See related article: Verizon Strike Update 2016: Workers Ratify Contracts, End Epic Labor Standoff HISTORY OF THE STRIKE Contract talks between Verizon and members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) began in June of 2015.

The workers' contract expired on August 1, 2015. See related article: Verizon Strike 2016: What Are The Issues Dividing Company, Unions? Almost 40,000 of the company's wireline employees and call center representatives in nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and Washington, D.C. began striking on April 13, 2016.

See related article: Verizon Workers Prep For Massive East Coast Strike

See related article: Massive Verizon Strike Begins Union-led labor rallies and picket lines were launched up and down the East Coast.