Ok, so I just read on the NYTimes that VZW and the 2 Unions of workers reached an agreement. Apparentlly they avoided a strike but an 11% salary wage increase AND VZW must still pay 100% of their current workers and retirees health premiums!
I'm a loyal customer of VZW, have been and will be, but at least now I know why their prices are a bit higher than their competitions!