The New York Times reports that the Department of Labor has successfully brokered a four-year agreement in principle between Verizon and the unions representing nearly 40,000 striking workers.  The parties are meeting this afternoon to draft language that can be ratified by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and employees could return to work next week.   A ratified agreement would end the largest prolonged private-sector work stoppage in recent American history.  OnLabor will continue to monitor developments with the agreement.