AT&T; and Unions Report Progress: AT&T; and...

AT&T; and Unions Report Progress: AT&T; and its unions reported progress in negotiations, but remaining disputes over wages and particularly health benefits left in doubt whether a new contract could be settled before tonight’s deadline. “Things have started to heat up,” said Francine Zucker, a spokeswoman for the Communications Workers of America. “I think we’re going to get very close, and we may reach a settlement--but that can change quickly.” AT&T; officials said the company offered to limit its use of temporary workers, a key union job-security demand. Still, it would take a breakthrough to resolve the pay and health benefits disputes, and both sides were preparing for a possible strike.