SBC Sets Date To Strike - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

About 100,000 SBC Employees, including dozens here in Lubbock, could go on strike May 8th.

San Antonio-based SBC is currently in contract talks with the Communications Workers of America. Thursday, 90% of CWA workers voted to strike if a deal is not reached by May 8th. A major issue in the talks is a proposal to raise medical co-payments to 12% of total costs. Current co-payments range from 4% to 7%.

Healthcare benefits are also behind a possible strike at Cingular. Communication Workers of America could file an intent to strike Friday or Saturday. A strike would affect about 1,000 Cingular employees here in Lubbock. Union officials must give Cingular a 48-hour notice, meaning a strike could happen early next week.