The Nation - News from Aug. 20, 1989

Random negotiations were under way in the telephone walkout against three regional “Baby Bell” companies. Bell Atlantic and the Communications Workers of America, having reached a tentative pact, conducted talks on local issues, and a company spokesman said he was optimistic the Tuesday midnight deadline would be met. The strike against Bell Atlantic in the East, NYNEX in the Northeast, Ameritech in the Midwest and Pacific Telesis in California and Nevada affects about 190,000 employees and 50 million customers. The main issues are wages and health care. Ameritech and the CWA are bargaining on a state-by-state basis, and a CWA spokesman said talks with Telesis are “making a little progress.” Formal talks involving NYNEX have been in recess for several days.