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(AP) - Qwest Communications International Inc. and
members of its largest union kept negotiating Sunday as a labor contract expired.

      Workers represented by the Communications Workers of America had
voted to authorize a strike if needed, but CWA organizing
coordinator Al Kogler said no strike had been called when the
contract expired after 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

      "As long as we're at the table, we're going to keep pursuing
that," Kogler said Sunday.

      The union represents about 20,000 Qwest workers in 13 states, including Minnesota.

      The talks come a little more than a week before the start of the
Democratic National Convention, where Qwest is providing phone and
Internet services. Qwest also is providing service to the
Republican National Convention in St. Paul, which begins Sept. 1.

      Qwest spokesman Bob Toevs said Saturday night that company
officials were hopeful the sides would reach a tentative agreement
this weekend. 


A unikon official said the sides were discussing employee and retiree health care,
the wage package and job security.

Gallery

Qwest union OKs strike if contract talks sour

Business and Economic News

Qwest Communications International Inc. and
members of its largest union kept negotiating Sunday even as the current labor contract expired.

Qwest, union still talking as contract expires

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