U S West and Unions Agree on Tentative Pact : Communications: Agreement provides for 5% increase in base wages this year. The phone firm operates in 14 states.

U S West reached a tentative contract agreement late Sunday with unions representing more than 37,000 phone company workers in 14 states.

Contracts with the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers had expired at midnight Saturday, but union members were told to stay on the job and talks continued.

The pact provides for an increase in base wages of 5% this year and 3% in each of the following two years, the company said. The union did not immediately release details.

“We’re pleased to reach an agreement with the CWA that is beneficial to our employees, the company, the union and our investors,” said Gary Ames, president and chief executive of U S West Communications.

“The workers are very happy for the most part. They’re glad they don’t have to strike,” said Kevin Mulligan, vice president of the Denver local of the CWA, which represents nearly all the workers involved.

A ratification vote will take two to three weeks, Mulligan said.

U S West and Bell Atlantic, two of the seven regional phone companies created by the 1984 breakup of American Telephone & Telegraph Co., were the only two remaining “Baby Bells” that had not reached contract settlements.

Negotiations with Bell Atlantic continued Sunday in Washington.

The unions represent 37,662 U S West directory-assistance and long-distance operators, service representatives, installers and repair technicians.

Earlier, CWA spokesman Chris Bundgaard said U S West negotiators upped their wage increase offer to 10% over three years from the previous 7% offer. The union was seeking 12% over three years, he said.

Union officials have said they are angry that U S West reports large profits but is reluctant to share them with workers. In fiscal 1991, U S West reported earnings of $798 million.