Thousands of workers at Verizon Communications Inc. went on after the company failed to reachan agreement with the unions representing the workers by 6 a.m. on April 13.

Verizon Chief Administrative Officer Marc Reed called thedecision by the unions — Communications Workers of America and theInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers — to move ahead with the strike"regrettable" and criticized them for not accepting Federal Mediationand Conciliation Service's offer to mediate, according to an April 13 newsrelease.

Verizon on April 12 agreed to take assistance from the Federal mediators insettling the dispute under condition that the unions extended the strikedeadline.

The company said it has activated its business continuityplans, as part of which trained non-union employees will cover for strikingworkers and provide customers with the support and assistance.