Talks continue as SBC strike prospect looms

Friday, May 7, 2004 | 10:44 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

SAN ANTONIO -- SBC Communications and a union representing 100,000 workers resumed talks Thursday in hopes of reaching a new contract at the nation's second-largest local phone company before tonight's strike deadline.

The linemen, call-center employees and other workers in 13 states have been without a contract since April 3.

SBC officials have said they will bring in nonunion workers in the event of a strike to make sure operations run smoothly.

Negotiations between SBC and the Communications Workers of America were under way in Washington with the help of a federal mediator. The biggest issues -- wages, job security, health care and pensions -- were unresolved.

Barbara Welling, president of CWA Local 9413, said the union represents 650 workers in Nevada, including Sparks, Reno, Pahrump and Las Vegas. Of that total, the union represents 12 workers in Las Vegas and 30 in Pahrump.

She said workers are prepared to strike at various SBC Communications facilities throughout the state when the 30-day notice to strike expires at 11:59 p.m. tonight. Workers could start picketing Saturday morning in front of one of the company's offices on Spectrum Boulevard in Las Vegas.