Contract talks between SBC and union recess

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A union in contract negotiations with SBC Communications Inc. has given the telephone company 30 days notice that it may strike, but officials from both sides say they are still

Thursday, April 8th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A union in contract negotiations with SBC Communications Inc. has given the telephone company 30 days notice that it may strike, but officials from both sides say they are still hopeful of reaching a settlement.

A federal mediator brokering contract talks between the company and the Communications Workers of America has recessed negotiations until next week.

About 2,500 unionized SBC workers in Oklahoma are covered by the contract, which expired Saturday. Members have continued to work without a contract.

Jerry Butler, president of CWA Local 6009 in Oklahoma City, said a strike is not a certainty. Union members will vote on strike authorization in the next few weeks, with results to be released April 29.

A strike ``will be driven by how close we are to potentially reaching an agreement or how badly things are going,'' Butler said. ``There is certainly not a breakdown in the process at this point, and we are still moving forward. The company has been very cooperative in trying to work to resolve these issues.''

Walt Sharp, an SBC spokesman in San Antonio, said the company does not expect a strike but has activated its contingency plan if one is called.

Butler said differences remain in bargaining over health care costs and job security.