One of the country's biggest telecommunications companies has agreed on a new contract for 65,000 of its union workers. A union leader calls the deal with Verizon a "breakthrough." Talks over a new contract had stalled over the issue of health care.
RENEE MONTAGNE, host: In NPR's business news, Verizon reaches a deal with its unions.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: One of the country's biggest telecommunications companies has agreed on a new contract for 65,000 of its union workers. A union leader calls it a breakthrough. Talks over a new contract had stalled over the issue of healthcare. In addition to a raise, in the end Verizon agreed to continue paying 100 percent of union workers' healthcare premiums.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: The company says it will save money in the long term because of a change in the way it funds post-retirement healthcare for future hires.