No New Talks Scheduled in US West Strike

No new talks were scheduled in the 2-day-old strike by about 35,000 workers at regional telephone company US West Inc., but both sides said the negotiations could resume today or Wednesday. Customers were experiencing few difficulties, although the Denver-based phone company, which serves 25 million customers in 14 states, warned of delays in repairs and new installations. The company has deployed 15,000 managers to handle everything from directory assistance to calls for new service. Members of the Communications Workers of America walked off the job at a minute past midnight Sunday after last-minute negotiations failed to produce a contract. Bargainers for both sides talked separately Sunday with federal mediator Jim Mahon, who will decide when bargaining will resume. The critical issues include mandatory overtime, health-care benefits and scheduling flexibility.