Members of the Communications Workers of America at SBC Communications, Inc. approved a 5 year contract that was reached after a brief walkout in late May. Workers will make higher health care co-payments but will receive bonuses to help offset those costs. In addition, they?ll receive wage increases of 2.3 percent each year of the contract and yearly lump sum payments. 85 percent of the membership voted in favor of the contract which covers 100,000 workers-about 60 percent of SBC?s workforce.
See "SBC Workers OK 5-Year Deal, Saving Firm2 Billion", Los Angeles Times, July 1, 2004