DENVER (CBS4) – CenturyLink has avoided a major strike — for now.

It could affect a lot of people because it’s the third largest telecommunications company after acquiring Qwest with some 13,000 workers across 13 states.

CenturyLink and labor unions failed to reach a new deal when a contract expired. The company agreed to an extension while both sides try to hash out a new deal. Employees will continue working during the extension.

Labor unions authorized a strike in case a new deal couldn’t be reached.