NEW YORK - The contract expired at 12:01 this morning, but workers are still on the job at Verizon.  Unions representing about 65,000 workers in northeast Pennsylvania and elsewhere, agreed to ‘stop the clock’.  The company issued a statement pledging to  “continue to negotiate in good faith.

Health care reportedly is a key issue.  Verizon is asking employees to contribute more toward their health care premiums.  Outsourcing of non-union workers is said to be another concern.

The largest union is the Communications Workers of America, representing about 50,000 Verizon workers.