Cincinnati Bell averted a strike by reaching a tentative agreement with Communication Workers of America (CWA), seven hours before 2,000 workers were set to walk out at midnight Saturday.

        The deal was struck after two days of marathon negotiations between company and union officials.

        Key to the agreement was a compromise that requires union members to pay for some health care coverage, but also gives them a $500 bonus to help members pay those health care costs, union officials said.

        Under the current contract, Cincinnati Bell, a unit of Broadwing Inc., pays insurance premiums and employees make co-payments for prescriptions and doctors visits.

        “We are pleased to have achieved a way to restructure health benefits without shifting costs to our members,” said CWA vice president Jeff Rechenbach, who called the negotiations difficult.

        The new contract calls for health care plans that vary in coverage and employee-paid premiums. In addition, some family coverage will have monthly premiums that exceed the amount of the new guaranteed bonus. The bonus replaces a profit-sharing plan that was not guaranteed.

        The contract also calls for a 12.6 percent wage increase over three years, a 10 percent increase in employee pensions, some health insurance plan improvements, and the continuation of company-paid retiree health care benefits.

        CWA members are expected to vote sometime in June on the contract, which extends through May 7, 2005, according to a joint statement issued by the company and CWA locals 4400 and 4401.

        Local 4400 represents lineman and other technicians. Local 4401 includes directory assistance and clerical workers.

        Union officials said they are confident members will ratify the agreement.

        “This agreement addresses all of the issues that our members identified in a bargaining survey we did earlier this year,” Local 4400 president Tim Donoghue said.

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