Today was going to be the day VZ started the lock-out of 38,000 Union employees. As a last ditch effort, VZ contacted the US Labor Dept and asked them to give the CWA/IBEW one last chance to bargain. This tactic was done to give the CWA/IBEW an opportunity to save face while still accepting mediation. Since the CWA/IBEW agreed to meet VZ agreed to hold off on the lock out. So today will be a non-event. By next Wednesday there will be an announcement that a deal is made and the Union will return to work on Tuesday 5/31 or Wednesday 6/1.
The deal will be very close to the LBFO with one or two minor concessions for the Union to say they worked hard to get the best possible deal.