CenturyTel, AllTel Pacts Ratified

CenturyTel workers in Arkansas, members of Local 6171, have ratified a contract that will raise their wages by 11 percent over three years.

"The union's bargaining committee did an outstanding job under very trying circumstances," Telecommunications Vice President Jimmy Gurganus said.

The local represents about 200 members at CenturyTel. For workers at the top of the pay scale, the increases equate to $2.33 per hour over the contract's term.

Workers' share of health care costs will rise under the agreement, but it specifies that future increases will be made on the same basis as management's, Gurganus said.

Bargaining began in late July, as members mobilized in concert with other CenturyTel units across the country.

Despite voting by 93 percent to authorize a strike, members continued working past their Aug. 15 contract expiration in an effort to improve management's "last and final offer."

Local 6171 Secretary-Treasurer Linda James said that in deciding to ratify members took into account that their top pay - more than $22 an hour - is exceptional for Arkansas and considered the effect a prolonged strike would have on their families.

Meanwhile, Local 4487 members in Newark, Ohio, overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year agreement with Alltel for a bargaining unit of about 100.

Their pay will increase 2.25 percent Oct. 1 and again in 2005 and 2006. The pact improves Allel's contribution to the cost of their health care.