NEW YORK — Verizon Communications Inc. is back in talks with two unions about new labor contracts for 65,000 workers.

The Communications Workers of America, the largest of the unions, said negotiations had resumed this morning after ending at 2 a.m. (EST)

Verizon's contracts with the CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers were set to expire Saturday at midnight. But the unions "stopped the clock" on the expiration because progress was being made in the negotiations. Their members continued to work under the old contracts.

The union members, who work at Verizon's landline side, have authorized a strike. Verizon Wireless has few unionized employees.

Major bargaining issues include healthcare coverage, wages and union representation for new jobs.