Union Considers New Proposal in AT&T; Strike Talks

Union negotiators for the striking Communications Workers of America were considering a new offer Sunday from American Telephone & Telegraph Co. as the two sides worked to end a three-week walkout.

The two sides talked for several hours then recessed so negotiators representing more than 150,000 union workers could analyze the company offer, union spokeswoman Rozanne Weissman said.

Neither Weissman nor AT&T; spokesman Herb Linnen would provide details about the offer, but Linnen said it represented a “crystallization of views exchanged across the table over a period of days, right up till dawn today.”

Both sides expected to meet again Sunday for the union to respond to the offer.

The latest round of talks was held after a marathon session that began Saturday morning and lasted until just before dawn Sunday. Both sides agreed to continue negotiating after a deadline of midnight Saturday set last week in the strike, which began June 1.

The telecommunications giant and the union, which represents more than half of AT&T;’s employees, reached a tentative agreement last Tuesday on a new national contract, which provides an 8% wage increase over the next three years.

But the pact is subject to the approval of separate accords with AT&T;’s six operating divisions.