Workers claim victory as Bell Atlantic strike ends

Bell Atlantic has reached an agreement with its 73,000 striking workers, effectively ending their two-day-old strike.
The union representing the striking members, the Communications Workers of America, claimed a victory, as the largest Baby Bell in the US agreed to modest pay increases and improved pension entitlements. The workers' complaints about the use of temporary, low-paid or part-time staff, especially in the company's Internet and data networking arms, were also addressed.
Bell Atlantic said the agreement was fair, and in line with other recent settlements in the industry.
Minimal disruption to Bell Atlantic services - which cover 13 states in the north-east of the US - had been reported. Managers had stepped in to handle key operations at the company, which is planning a merger with GTE, another US carrier.