Cingular workers in Tulsa ready to go out on strike

Hundreds of Communications Workers at Tulsa's Cingular Wireless near 161st East Avenue and I-44 say they're ready to strike, if the company doesn't budge on contract negotiations. <br><br>The

Monday, March 8th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Hundreds of Communications Workers at Tulsa's Cingular Wireless near 161st East Avenue and I-44 say they're ready to strike, if the company doesn't budge on contract negotiations.

The union contract for more than 1,300 Oklahoma employees expired last week. But they've continued to work while union members and Cingular negotiate a new contract. Workers say the company is requiring pay cuts and reductions in healthcare coverage.

They say it comes at a time when Cingular appears to be doing well financially. Dave Ratcliff with the Communications Workers of America: "Our message today is 'stop corporate greed.' These employees have made the company what it is today and they only want their fair share. They want healthcare for their families. They want decent wages. They don't want to live in poverty."

Dave Ratcliff says Cingular should rethink its $40-billion purchase of AT&T, if it can't afford to pay employee wages and healthcare.

Cingular says it expects the extended negotiations will help the company avoid any disruptions to customer service.