Verizon operates

in 13 states in the East and mid-Atlantic regions.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Verizon said a “framework” for a contract agreement with its unions was established Tuesday, but one union said job security and other major issues were still on the table.

“We believe we have established a framework that addresses all the major issues, including job security,” the company said in a statement. “This is a complex package and all the issues are interconnected.”

Communications Workers of America spokeswoman Candice Johnson declined to characterize the talks that way, saying that both sides were trying to resolve job security and other issues.

“We’re continuing in intensive talks,” Johnson said. “We’re going to keep at it. That’s what the bargaining process is.”

Both sides exchanged proposals for a new contract as some 78,000 telephone employees continued to report to work. The previous contract expired Saturday. CWA represents about 60,000 of the Verizon workers seeking a contract. The remaining 18,000 are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The company operates in 13 Eastern and mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has been overseeing the talks for the past week.

Verizon wants to cut costs as local phone service business shrinks. The company is asking employees to pay a higher share of their health care costs, and wants the right to lay off workers to cut costs.

Verizon’s growth is occurring in areas where the work force is not heavily unionized, such as wireless phones and high-speed Internet connections.

The union questions whether any layoffs are needed, and says any employees who lose their jobs should get first crack at other employment with the company.

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On the Net:

Verizon: http://www.verizon.com

Communications Workers of America: http://www.cwa-union.org

AP-ES-08-05-03 1855EDT

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