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GTE, Union Reach Tentative Agreement: The three-year accord between GTE California and the Communication Workers of America includes a 9% wage hike for hourly workers and improved benefits. The pact, which was worked out during 26 weeks of negotiations, still requires the approval of union members; voting is expected to end in four weeks. If approved, the agreement will affect about 9,000 hourly employees of GTE and GTEL, its deregulated subsidiary. GTE Corp. employees would receive a 3% pay hike retroactive to March 17, when the old contract expired. Additional pay raises of 3% would be given during 1997 and ’98.