Sep 14, 1998

The Communications Workers of America has reached a tentative agreement with Southern New England Telephone covering some 6,300 workers, members of CWA Local 1298/Connecticut Union of Telephone Workers. Upon ratification by union members, the settlement will end a strike at the Connecticut telephone company that began Aug. 23.

CWA and SNET have agreed not to release details of the pact until the contract explanation and ratification meeting to be held Sept. 17 in Hartford, Conn. The secret ballot vote will be overseen by the American Arbitration Association.

Union members set up picket lines just after midnight on Aug. 23, with wages and health care costs among the key issues in the dispute.

The SNET workers voted in July to join CWA. SNET, pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission, will become part of SBC Communications, which includes Southwestern Bell, Pacific Telesis and, also pending FCC approval, Ameritech.

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