US West, Union to Meet With Mediator

Representatives of US West Inc. and its largest union, the Communications Workers of America, will begin meetings this morning with federal mediator Jim Mahon in hopes of averting a strike. The Denver-based phone company and CWA, which represents more than 33,000 of its clerical and technical workers in 14 states, had both requested a mediator after hitting an impasse in contentious contract negotiations. The negotiations, characterized by union representatives as some of the most difficult in the industry, bogged down over issues such as forced overtime, scheduling and a unique US West performance pay plan. US West’s contract with CWA expires at midnight Saturday.