Union says Verizon silencing workers: ; Company says the registration statement begins a 'quiet period'

Unions that represent many Verizon workers claim the company istrying to stop them from speaking out about Verizon's proposed saleof its landline business in West Virginia and 13 other states toFrontier Communications.

Verizon issued a July 27 memo to its North Central Area sayingFrontier had filed a registration statement with the federalSecurities and Exchange Commission that permits Frontier to seekstockholder approval of the transaction.

Verizon said the filing begins a "quiet period," during which it"will take no action that could be viewed as attempting to influencethe Frontier stockholder vote or to alter the mix of informationavailable to Frontier's …