(San Antonio-AP) -- Officials with the Communications Workers of America say that they will deliver a 24-hour strike notice Tuesday to SBC Communications.
CWA and SBC have been trying to reach an agreement on a new contract. The old one expired April 3rd.
The contract represents about a 100,000 employees in 13 states, including about 2,500 employees in Oklahoma.
Health care costs and job security issues have been sticking points for three months in the talks.
The CWA had promised the San Antonio-based company it would give 24 hours notice before a walkout.
This would be in exchange for a company guarantee to provide health benefits if there was a strike, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
CWA President Morton Bahr said in a statement posted on the CWA's Web site that the notice came because the "company has failed to respond in an effective way to members' key issues."
At the conclusion of the 24-hour period, the union will be free to strike without further notice to the company.
SBC spokesman Walt Sharp says the company wants to continue talks
