By AP/KWMU
San Antonio – SBC Communications workers represented by the Communications Workers of America have approved a new five-year contract.
The union says 85 percent of workers voted to ratify the deal. It was reached in late May after a brief walkout in SBC's 13-state local service area.
The deal increases wages and pensions, preserves health benefits and enhances job security.
The contract covers about 100,000 workers for San Antonio-based SBC. The workers staged a four-day strike when months of negotiations came to a standstill.