A federal judge has ordered telecommunications giant Verizon to hash out a union dispute over disability benefits through arbitration.

U.S. District Senior Judge Robert F. Kelly of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled that Verizon's contract with the Communication Workers of America requires any disputes over violations to the disability benefits part of the contract to be settled by arbitration.

The union's contract stipulates that employes who are terminated while on disability leave, including by retirement, are still entitled to benefits until they are deemed no longer disabled. The union claimed that Verizon discontinued certain benefits to claimants, including health care and life insurance.