AT&T internet workers authorize strike [telecom]

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AT&T internet workers authorize strike as contract negotiations continue.

by Sean Buckley

AT&T internet employees represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) voted 92 percent to authorize a strike if a new contract can't be worked out, but the telco says the two sides will eventually settle their differences.

CWA and AT&T began negotiating a new agreement in June and are still working out the details.

"A strike vote is not an unexpected step in negotiations of this sort and is routinely a part of the process," said Marty Richter, an AT&T spokesman, in an e-mail to FierceTelecom. "We remain confident that an agreement will be reached."