AT&T;’s Earnings Plunge 8.5%

American Telephone & Telegraph Co.’s earnings, hurt by a 26-day strike by communications workers, fell 8.5% in the second quarter, according to company figures released today.

AT&T; said the strike cut the company’s profit by as much as $140 million, or 13 cents a share, but said “a portion” of that is expected to be recouped in the course of business as the year unfolds.