Washington D.C.— Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen issued the following statement today on the ongoing labor negotiations between the Verizon Communications Inc., the Communication Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW):

“Pursuant to the joint agreement of the above named parties, future negotiations for successor collective bargaining agreements will be conducted under the auspices of Agency Director George H. Cohen and Director of Mediation Services John Pinto commencing on Wednesday morning, July 25, 2012 at our Washington, D.C. office.”

“Because of the sensitivity of these negotiations, in keeping with our past custom and practice, and the agreement between the parties, the FMCS and the parties will refrain from any public comment concerning the future schedule and/or the status of talks among the parties until further notice.”

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